Tools for Our Emotional Toolbox
It was a complete delight to have Isabelle Meunier, a Trauma Counselor, visit Hlanganani all the way from Canada during the winter school holidays. Her visit had a remarkable impact on both the Home-based Carers and children. During the first week, the children received 1:1 counseling sessions with Isabelle. Undoubtedly, even those children who are going through traumas that we are unaware of were able to be assisted through the sessions they had with Isabelle. There was a noticeable excitement and participation in discussions even for those kids who are usually quiet and reserved, especially many of our teenagers. Little B., who was abandoned as a toddler, felt loved and kept clinging to Isabelle the whole time.
Along with her team, Isabelle conducted a two-day Emotional Intelligence workshop for us, that was so informative and resourceful. After being divided into three different age groups the children covered topics such as dealing with their emotions, personal boundaries and assertiveness, friendships, keeping and speaking secrets, relationships, common lures, and many more pertinent topics. Everyone was very engaged during the sessions. The children’s participation confirmed that such programs are needed regularly at our organisation. We are happy to announce that a gap was bridged with the children through Isabelle’s work. It would be an honour to have her or other such counselors conduct these programs with us every year!
Additionally, Isabelle and I (Sharon) had a blast doing a huge shop for all of the children at Fourways Mall. Isabelle had kindly fundraised with her schoolchildren and friends in Canada to be able to bless the Hlanganani children. All of our children received a mixture of warm clothes, shoes, sanitary pads, blankets, mattresses, toothpaste, and brushes.
I could go on and on but in a nutshell, we indeed had a meaningful and quality time. Thanks to Hlanganani for organising and exposing the children and the HBC to such an amazing experience. We all appreciated Isabelle and the service rendered.
Healthy Eyes! Ruya (Vision) Project
The day dawned bright & early for our children as the taxi drivers picked them up at the designated locations all around Lanseria, Diepsloot, and Cosmo. They were on their way to get their eyes checked! The Ruya (Vision) Project is a NGO that provides free eye care services for the most vulnerable in underprivileged communities…and we are so grateful that they do!
Ruya brings optometrists from all over to help assist with checking the children’s vision. Some of the volunteers include students and experts from the University of Johannesburg Optometry Department, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, and Vision Clinic Eldoraigne, to name just a few. The children had various eye tests conducted and were also blessed with little goody bags from Sunshine Smiles and Pedros Cresta Crossing filled their bellies with a lovely lunch.
Thirty-four of our children had their eyes tested for free! Something we could not have afforded to do for all of them independently. We are so grateful that six of the children will be receiving free glasses and another three will get additional ophthalmologist care. We are hoping this helps them greatly with their school work, and praying the new glasses will also mean new higher grades! We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to Zaahira Essay Jogee for making this all possible!
(Side note: Any expertise donated for medical assistance, general practitioner visits, dentists, educational psychologists, counselors, etc. is always needed and much appreciated by Hlanganani! Please email us at info@hlanganai.org if you desire to donate your time and expertise in a medical or psychology field).
67 Minute: Giving Back
On Mandela Day, we received a huge blessing from Makokela Civil Construction & Projects company. They joined Ebenezer Hope Christian Daycare 2 in Cosmo City to celebrate the importance of giving back to the community as Mandela encouraged us all to do. The children were delighted with the lovely toys they brought and the attention they received as the volunteers played with them on the playground.
Makokela further treated everyone to KFC and McDonalds! The biggest blessing came in the form of a very generous donation for the Daycare, where two of the Hlanganani children attend. The funds have been used to purchase a much-needed fridge for the daycare as well as security cameras to ensure all is kept safe and sound. A big thank you to everyone at Makokela who brought much joy by dedicating 67 minutes of their time – one for every year of Mandela’s service –and giving back to the community around them!
(Side note: You don’t have to wait for Mandela Day to bless or volunteer your time with us! Feel free to give us a call or email if you are interested in donating clothes, time, or expertise!)
Voicemail:
Thank you message from a former student,
Onwards and Upwards
We are very proud of one of our recent 2023 matriculants for studying hard and receiving her Learner’s License, done all on her own accord. As a gift for her hard work in passing Matric and receiving her Learner’s License, Hlanganani is pleased to be able to bless her with driving lessons. We hope that she will be able to empower herself further as she hits the road as a fully-fledged driver one day soon!
The Best Boutique in Diepsloot!
One of our of Gogo’s (Grandmas) – a guardian to a Hlanganani preschooler, sat in her one-room home, tears welling up in her eyes. She had no food to feed her three grandchildren and to top it off was about to be evicted; she did not know what to do. Her irregular community wage work had haltered and money was non-existent. By chance, we happened to come by to visit her with one of our kind donors and deliver groceries. The timing was God-ordained and got us all thinking about how to help her avoid struggling again in the future.
Our desire is to always empower those we help and “teach them to fish” rather than just “provide the fish” as the old adage goes. A plan was formatted along with Sharon, our Family Coordinator, and a kind benefactor… a donation was made to help Gogo start her roadside business. Many ideas were discussed, and the right location had to be discovered as well as the best items to sell – ones that were profitable enough to put food on the table and cover her monthly room’s rent of R1,100.00. We are delighted to say that Gogo is now selling lovely second-hand clothes – and in her own words “she is now able to take care of herself and her grandchildren.” So, if you are ever in Diepsloot, let us know and we’ll send you to the best, little roadside boutique in town….trust us, you won’t be disappointed!
(Side Note: If you desire to help empower a guardian or Hlanganani young adult to start an “Empowerment Business” please let us know, the amount ranges from R500 to R1,000 depending on start-up costs).