For some of you this is the first time that you are receiving our newsletter.
I have the most wonderful job in the world, I see the smiles, the joy, the excitement and the courage when new things happen in the children’s lives. This is a dream come true for me. All is due to you and your support.
We had a team from Chemuniqué who basically had Christmas in JULY! We received so many donations of clothes and blankets and food, that were handed out, hence the joy!!
Hlanganani began because I believe I had a real God-given dream ……of children closed off, surrounded by a fence- they could see the rest of the world but they could not get out. Every time they reached out through the fence, the world would chop off their arms( their effort). Terrible dream but true in this world we live in. Subsequently, at every opportunity we can, we expose the children to the greater world out there.
JULY HAS BEEN THE MONTH OF CAREER CHOICES AND JOB SHADOWING FOR THOSE WHO ARE 16 AND OLDER.
“I WANT TO BE A LAWYER” We were hosted by the Chief Magistrates Court at the Randburg Magistrate courts. One of our young ladies from Malaitjie, was kindly showed everything in the courts for two days.
“I WANT TO BE AN ASTRONAUT” One young man went for a journey to SKUKUZA(Kruger National Park) with Vincent Nettman – our South African star man – they saw our delightful safari animals (a first for him) and attended the talk on astronomy that he gave and meeting international veterinary students at the same time.
“I WANT TO DO CHOREOGRAPHY AND SPEECH AND DRAMA” Two of our youth went dancing and hip-hopping and learning what it takes – for two days with Jill – an awesome drama teacher of note at Junction Center.
“I WANT TO BE AN ACCOUNTANT OR BOOK-KEEPER” That young man spent 5 days in our kind and generous auditor’s firm- I received an sms every night from the young man saying how much he had learnt and how he appreciated the love and attention.
“I WANT TO BE AN IT MANAGER” He spent the day in a room full of IT boffins (Flickerleap) finding out how they do branding and website building for various companies. This young man is in a wheelchair and was smiling from ear to ear and chatting constantly about the time he had. He immediately emailed a thank you to them all when he got home! His grandmother pushed him in a wheelchair for at least 3 km to bring him to the school where I met him to take him there. What a granny! – all our guardians need prayer for blessings – as they are amazing, kind and have such a sacrificial heart enabling them to look after another’s child.
“I WANT TO BE A CIVIL ENGINEER BECAUSE MY MOTHER DIED IN A HOSPITAL THAT DID NOT HAVE A BED FOR HER” This young man was taken to Heidelburg to see the building projects on the go – thank you to Tsepa engineering in Randburg.
THERE IS THE SAD SIDE OF THE STORIES. I DO HAVE OCCASIONS WHERE THE ODD ONE DOES NOT TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY AND MAY NOT PITCH OR GET THE DAY WRONG!
Successful male role models in these boys lives are as imperative as are the woman role models, for the girls.
Our ever faithful Claudette and team from our main sponsors – Lanseria International Airport also took one of our young ladies through the ropes of marketing management. https://lanseria.co.za
A huge thank you to ALL for showing us a greater view of what’s out there and available to us, if we make the right choices. I received lots of comments about how well- mannered and appreciative the young ones were. I am proud of them!
I have received numerous calls surrounding Mandela Day and the 67 minutes spent in the community – to the service of humanity; rights of children; fighting against poverty; promotion of social justice; reconciliation; all the values that Mandela stood for, it’s a privilege to be part of a wider body of like- minded people who want to improve the lives of others. I hope it is longer than 67 minutes!
Please pray for our matriculants that are soon to write prelims- a nerve wracking time for them.
May you all have a good second half of the year!!!
Blessings and thanks to you all.
PS: If you would like to watch an interesting talk on HIV around the world (which is why we do what we do) – try watching this on TED talks:
Kind regards ’til next time.
A huge thank you to all sponsors, supporters and interested parties!