Development Talk

Hands Of Love (HALO) gives hope to the homeless

 

July 22, 2010

soup kitchen made difference to people living living in disadvantaged areas

A soup kitchen makes a difference to people living in disadvantaged areas. Photo: Hands of Love

Mthatha is amongst the areas that contribute to the poverty and crime rate in the Eastern Cape. Many people in this town experience the pressures of life to such an extent that they feel there is no way out other than to live on the streets.

Mthatha has gotten a bad reputation for its social ills, but Mthatha youth have stood up to do what is right for their area and established Hands Of Love (H.A.L.O), an organisation that helps to change the living conditions of people in this community.

Initiated in 2009, Hands Of Love is a non-profit organisation that is aimed at reaching out to lost souls and disadvantaged fellow citizens of Mthatha. First called Mthatha Social Outreach, it was started by youth of Mthatha who want to give back to their communities and home town. The aim of this organisation is to show love to people who need it, and to make their lives worthwhile.

clothes distributed to needy people in the areas

Clothes are distributed to the needy. Photo: Hands of Love

The people behind this organisation are inspired by the Bible, which says:  “when we were lost the Lord did not judge, but showed us love and drew us closer to him.” They find it in their hearts to try and re-shape the lives of people living on the streets.

The organisation distributes groceries and clothes to low-income communities and children’s homes. They also spend time with children from orphanages, having fun and following the example of Christ.

The sponsor of this organisation, Sinethemba Dywili, said they serve soup, give out clothes and take food parcels to low-income communities like Phola Park and Tiphini.

Sinethemba Dywili is one of Creative Consulting & Development Works‘ friends on Facebook and when he informed us of the good work that this organisation was doing, we were happy to showcase it on our blog. If you are involved in any other worthwhile projects, please let us know, by leaving a comment below.

Filed under: Awareness, CREATIVE CONSULTING & DEVELOPMENT WORKS, DEVELOPMENT WORKS, Homeless, Hope, NGOs, Social media, South Africa, children, civil society, community, development, initiative, inspiration, inspire, poverty, youth — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 10:54 am

Refugee children promote love and unity with musical

 

July 21, 2010

A refugee girl in one of the tents used to house people displaced by xenophobic attacks in South Africa in 2008. Photo: Development Works

A refugee girl in one of the tents used to house people displaced by xenophobic attacks in South Africa in 2008. Photo: Development Works

Beautiful! Exquisite! Professional! Captivating! This is what everyone sang after a well-presented musical play by Lawrence House, a refugee children’s home, which forms part of the Scalabrini Centre’s welfare programmes.

The show, commemorating Lawrence House’s 5th anniversary, was entitled “Mad Word” and was advertised by word of mouth. The “mad word” spread and it generated more than a hundred audience members.

While some disturbing incidences of xenophobia have flared up in South Africa after the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and a number of foreign nationals have left their homes in fear, this show displayed the theme of unity and love and emphasised the importance of “a happy family”.

Formed in 2005, Lawrence House is dedicated specifically to the care of abandoned and unaccompanied refugee minors. Its motto is the Bible verse “I was a stranger and you accepted me”. The House and its separate teenager cottage can accommodate up to 30 children. Boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 18 are taken in. Currently the House shelters children from Angola, DRC, Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

We at Creative Consulting & Development Works are firm believers in equal rights and observing the Constitution of South Africa, that is why we have also worked with the NGO for refugees, Adonis Musati Project.

If children from different walks of life can come together and use their talents to put on such a wonderful show, why can’t we as adults bury our differences and work together as well?

Filed under: 2010 World Cup, Africa, Asylum seekers, CREATIVE CONSULTING & DEVELOPMENT WORKS, DEVELOPMENT WORKS, Family, NGOs, Refugees, South Africa, arts, children, civil society, cultural issues, development, fundraising, xenophobia, youth — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 11:25 am

Gugulethu youth take part in development

 

July 19, 2010

A Gugulethu Youth discusses some key issues. Photo: Gugulective via Flickr

A Gugulethu youth discusses some key issues. Photo: Gugulective via Flickr

The youth of Gugulethu are very involved in political and civil society organisations. In fact, the majority of youth participate in development issues in this township situated 15km from Cape Town. This is exceptional in an era where youth are often thought to be apathetic.

The involvement of youth in the community of Gugulethu is largely due to the work of the Gugulethu Youth Development Council (GYDC) which has been operating in the area since 2008.

The Municipal Wards of Gugulethu came together to form a relevant vehicle that will help youth to take active part in development. They looked at the challenges that are faced by today’s youth and established the Council.

The Council members want to see young people of Gugulethu working and going to tertiary institutions. Their goal is to inspire youth to be  energetic, passionate, focused and hungry for success.

GYDC is an umbrella organisation that represents youth from different sectors for example Sports, Politics, Arts and Culture, Safety and Security, Social Services, Health, Education and Agriculture, to name a few.

The goal of this organisation is to promote and protect different cultures in Gugulethu. The Council is very committed to this goal; in 2008 they mobilised young people from high schools and primary schools to march against xenophobia.

Youth development is of great importance to Creative Consulting & Development Works. Two of our team members have been trained to deliver life skills education to youth; we were contracted by the City of Cape Town to present a cultural diversity workshop to disadvantaged youth; and we have also before worked with Mamelani Projects, which runs youth development programmes.

Filed under: CREATIVE CONSULTING & DEVELOPMENT WORKS, DEVELOPMENT WORKS, Employment, Government, South Africa, Training, civil society, community, cultural issues, development, education, inspire, politics, sport, xenophobia, youth — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 4:15 pm

What will you do on Mandela Day?

 

July 16, 2010

Nelson Mandela's prison cell on Robben Island. Photo: Samantha Marx

Nelson Mandela's prison cell on Robben Island. Photo: Samantha Marx

On International Nelson Mandela Day, people all over the world are meant to spend 67 minutes doing something to benefit their community. Creative Consulting & Development Works has some ideas of how you can get involved in your community as well.

The man behind this day

Anti-apartheid activist and first democratic president of South Africa, Nelson Rholihlala Mandela,  is the inspiration behind this day, because even though he was jailed by the apartheid government for 27 years, he never saw his release from prison as time for revenge. After his release on 11 February 1990 he advocated peace, reconciliation and the rebuilding of the South African nation.

According to www.mandeladay.com Nelson Mandela gave 67 years of his life fighting for the rights of humanity. “All we are asking is that everyone gives 67 minutes of their time, whether it’s supporting your chosen charity or serving your local community.”

What can you do?

Creative Consulting & Development Works, as a research, evaluation and communications consultancy working in a development context, often deals with non-profit organisations and we would like to suggest that you volunteer to help some of them on Mandela Day or any other day of the year!

Mamelani Projects

Development Works conceptualised and facilitated a strategic planning workshop for Mamelani Projects in 2007. This Voluntary Association runs health education and youth development projects locally in various communities. Contact them on info@mamelani.org.zaor phone 021 448 2725.

Networking AIDS Community of South Africa

One of the Community Based Organisations in the NACOSA network.

One of the Community Based Organisations in the NACOSA network.

NACOSA is a national civil society network of HIV and AIDS and TB role players, which includes NGOs, CBOs, FBOs and other developmental organisations, who seek to contribute to reducing the impact of HIV and AIDS.

Development Works did an evaluation for NACOSA of one of four components to the Global Fund Project, the Community Based Response to HIV/AIDS, as well as an evaluation of NACOSA’s 3-Tier Model, which comprises capacity building, networking and promoting dialogue.

You can contact NACOSA at info@nacosa.org.za or on 021 461 7348 and perhaps get involved in a Community Based Organisation close to you.

Adonis Musati Project

Recently, Development Works presented a Preferred Futuring workshop to the NGO for refugees, Adonis Musati Project. AMP provides clothing, blankets, food packs, medicine and toiletries to refugees and help them to compile and send out their CVs. They help refugees to access transport, accommodation and training. The Adonis Musati Project also has a halfway house for refugee children and single mothers.

You can help Adonis Musati by providing food or toiletries, volenteering to transport goods, assisting on week mornings in the refugee office, or making a cash donation. Contact AMP on 021 448 3348 or email Gayle at gayle@adonismusatiproject.org.

View the video below on the Preferred Futuring workshop that we conducted for the Adonis Musati Project as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility.

Filed under: Awareness, CBOs, CREATIVE CONSULTING & DEVELOPMENT WORKS, Communications, DEVELOPMENT WORKS, HIV/AIDS, History, Hope, NGOs, Refugees, Research, South Africa, Videos, access to health care, civil society, community, democracy, development, education, forgiveness, healthcare, initiative, inspiration, inspire, peace, politics, reconciliation, rights, ubuntu, xenophobia, youth — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 11:42 am

Gugulethu youth benefit from Sports Development Programmes

 

July 14, 2010

With their boot on a soccer ball, Gugulethu youth feel on top of the world. Photo: 1happysnapper via Flickr

With their boot on a soccer ball, Gugulethu youth feel on top of the world. Photo: 1happysnapper via Flickr

Every child has a dream of becoming something in life, but an impoverished background or lack of resources in their community could make it impossible to fulfill those dreams. Faced with these challenges, they sometimes lose hope to an extent that they believe drugs and alcohol abuse, crime and violence are the only things left for them.

How do they face these challenges?

Youth staying in Gugulethu experience these challenges, but they can see light at the end of the tunnel, because of sports development programmes in the area.

What were they doing during the Soccer World Cup?

The youth were very active during this 2010 FIFA World Cup. They played against youth from other areas that face similar problems, such as Mitchell’s Plain and Manenberg. The medal a player receives after a match is one of the reasons that they keep on going to soccer fields every day.

How do they benefit from sport development?

These youths believe there are many opportunities to improve their lot through football, and make their dreams a reality. Anam Mxokozeli, one of the Gugulethu soccer stars went to Ajax Cape Town for trials. He was delighted to have that opportunity and he believes that one day he will play for big soccer teams.

Role of their coaches

The coaches are not only training these young boys, they are also guiding and supporting with them with social problems. They teach them how to react to difficult circumstances and also help them with their school work.

Even thought the FIFA World Cup has come to an end, Creative Consulting & Development Works hopes that the youth now has an even greater interest in soccer and that it will continue to have a positive effect on their lives.

Filed under: 2010 World Cup, CREATIVE CONSULTING & DEVELOPMENT WORKS, DEVELOPMENT WORKS, Hope, Inequality, South Africa, children, civil society, community, development, education, inspiration, poverty, sport, violence, youth — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 9:16 am
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