Three car guards received an Audi R8 and decided to use it to help others. Photo: Fritz Park via Flickr
What would you do if someone gave you a brand new Audi R8 as a present? Two car guards who received such a car from a Cape Town man earlier this year did not selfishly enjoy their gift but are using it to help others.
They are planning to start their own non-profit organisation to help disadvantaged communities.
News24.com reported in the article Car gaurds trade Audi R 8 for NGOthat: “Desire Shima and Fabrice Munganga- Mugala had initially turned the R1.4m Audi R8 into a ‘car for good’, by carving a slit into its bonnet for people to slide in donations and messages. Around the slit are words: ‘A Future for all’-words printed there by the original benefactor to inspire the guards.”
A Phillipi crèche that looks after 35 orphans have benefited from the goodwill of these men. They gave the money collected with the car to the creche, as well as books, stationery and clothing.
Now the car guards want to sell the car to raise the money to start a proper non-profit organisation. With the more than R1 million that they could possibly get for it, they could will be able to help many more people.
This has truly been a gift that keeps on giving. Do you have any ideas on how we can use the many gifts in our lives to help others? Leave a comment below!
Two foreign nationals at the refugee camp during the xenophobic attacks in South Africa in 2008.
An awareness workshop on xenophobia held by the City of Cape Town at the Cape Town Civic Centre on 24 July 2010 is proof that there are people in this city who are prepared to stand up for their brother and sisters from other countries.
The workshop aimed at reigniting the spirit of ubuntu in people’s minds. Many hands are better than one and if South Africans work together and make peace, the word “xenophobia” will remain only in our history books.
The City looked at factors that might contribute to these attacks. They felt that there is a need for community leaders to step out of their comfort zone and open the minds of communities.
The City found that communities might be lacking in political education about refugee rights. For this reason the workshop was held.
The organisers hoped to use this work to resolve issues that lead to these attacks. It set out the steps that needs to be taken to end the criminal violence.
The City feels that if Ward Development Forums, Ward and Street Committees, the Department of Social Development (both city and province) and church leaders could engage themselves in the communities they serve, they will be able to implement possible solutions.
THE WAY FORWARD
A refugee camp for victims of xenophobia in South Africa in 2008.
Ongoing, educational workshops can be conducted for local residents to be made aware of the Bill of Rights and refugees rights. Civil Society and Community leaders can also discuss these rights in their community and at sectoral meetings.
The power of advertising can be very useful to resolve these issues. Posters, pamphlets, and word-of-mouth can lead people in the right direction.
As a social science research and communications consultancy working in the development sector, Creative Consulting & Development Works has seen the impact that communications can have on development issues and changing people’s perspectives.
Awareness programmes, targeting both high schools and primary schools would be very beneficial, as youth were also involved in these attacks.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?
A mother and baby in a refugee camp.
Rallies are meant to mobilise communities, not only during the elections but also when issues like these crop up. In this way the broader communities can be reached.
Community Based Organisations (CBO’S), Faith Based Organisations (FBO’S), and government departments can devise a mass awareness plan to reach out to those who are unaware of refugees rights. They have the power to facilitate and build cooperation between local and foreign nationals involved in businesses.
Humanitarian Agencies, Coordinating Committees and Government have to keep record of active organisations that deal with refugees. They have to support them to enhance their power to implement education and awareness programmes.
It is everyone’s responsibility to protect our rights and freedom. We can all live in love and peace with our brothers and sisters.
What is your opinion about the xenophobic incidences that are flaring up in South Africa again?
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 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.
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.
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?
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.comNelson 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!
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.
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.
Creative Consulting & Development Works is a research, evaluation and communications consultancy, servicing nonprofits, government and funders with innovative solutions in a development context.
On our blog, Development Talks, we discuss politics and social development. We are interested in the impact of politics on the ordinary citizen and the political activities of those on the ground.
