Community News: February 2012

MyPlanet

Dr Alan Emerton rides to Cairo for PDSA (SA)

Dr Alan Emerton, Senior veterinarian at The People’s Dispensary For Sick Animals - PDSA (SA) has been a part of the PDSA since 1998.  His passion for animals and cycling has come together in a once in a lifetime opportunity – the TOUR D’ AFRIQUE.  This cycling tour – from CAIRO TO CAPE started on the 14th of January 2012 from Cairo to Cape Town. His cycling for a cause...what would you do for your beneficiary?

The Tour d’Afrique is a 12 000km, four month cycle tour which will include various African destinations like,Egypt/Sudan/Ethiopia/Kenya/Tanzania/Malawi/Zambia/Botwana/Namibia and finally South Afirca on 12th May.  The PDSA is a non profit organisation concentrating on the primary health care of domestic animals and cart horses.  This beneficiary does not receive any government funding and Dr Emerton, through this tour, plans to raise funds and awareness for PDSA (SA) that will enable them to acquire much needed surgical equipment and supplies in order to continue offering the quality service that they do, to our poorer communities nationally.

Did you know that the PDSA has three hospitals situated in George, Cape Town and in Soweto; and three satellite clinics situated in Athlone, Mitchell’s Plain and Pimville. Their nine mobile units reach 75 poorer communities that would otherwise not have access to any other welfare veterinary healthcare service…so they are meeting the huge need in as many areas as possible, and need our help.

Dr Emerton explains why he supports this cause: “I am always happiest on my bike and a number of years ago, while driving through Namibia in a vehicle on some remote dirt track, I mentioned to a friend that I wish I could rather be on my bike. His reply was “ Tour d’Afrique”. So here I am.  I live in Cape Town so finishing the TDA here will make it extra special for me as well.  I will most probably be one of the older contestants at age 60 but still feel extremely young and am looking to a few challenges from the younger riders. Even though I have had this TDA in mind for a number of years I made a last minute decision to enter which has made it very exciting, as everything is suddenly happening at an incredible pace. I will be raising funds for The People’s Dispensary For Sick Animals, PDSA (SA).  I know this is going to be a journey, both outward and inward, that I will never forget.”

To date Dr Emerton has covered more than 600km – go Doc, we and the PDSA are routing for you.

Every cycle counts!

R40 000 donation to the EWT Rhino Fund and Operation Smile

In celebration of MyPlanet Ambassador, Braam Malherbe's, successful mission to the South Pole - we have decided to donate R20 000 towards the EWT Rhino Fund and R20 000 towards Operation Smile, two organisations that Braam works very closely with and actively supports.

Braam and our partner, Woolworths, are very passionate about the EWT Rhino Fund - especially following the shocking stats that 448 rhinos were reported killed or injured last year, from poaching attacks. We want to protect these gentle giants and ensure that they remain a part of SA's Big 5.

We will keep you posted on how this donation will be used. If you believe in the work this organisation is doing, you can help them with every swipe of your MyPlanet card.

Every swipe counts!

MySchool

Thanks to MySchool supporters, Jeppe Boys High School was able to establish the Jake White fund which attends to boys who cannot afford schools fees. Their school fees are paid in full from Grade 8 to Grade 12 and this includes boarding fees. What a difference this school is making! To their supporters: keep swiping your MySchool card in aid of Jeppe Boys High School as you are helping them deliver quality education to each and every boy at their school. You are essentially a part of this school’s history. Every swipe counts!

MyVillage

Spreading the Gift of Music at Durban Children Home

Lucky, a teenager living at Durban Children’s Home started playing the Cello after Grow 2010 approached the organisation and offered the services of a volunteer music teacher who was willing to teach the children how to play the Cello. Lucky showed an immediate interest and such a natural talent that his teacher arranged for him to receive a bursary from the Durban School of Music.

Lucky now travels to the music centre in town each week during the school term to receive free lessons. Unfortunately due to the size of his Cello he isn’t able to use public transport to get to his classes and the organisation doesn’t have the transport capacity to take him each week so they have had to hire a private taxi to get him to and from his classes.

The transport costs amount to R100 per week which totals to R4000 for the year…fortunately, every swipe counts! Funds raised through MySchool programme have enabled Durban Children’s Home to continue to send Lucky to his classes. They believe in his potential enough to invest this money into his music training. And we are happy they do! This young man has a promising career as a celloist, and his journey is only made possible through your continued support. Every swipe counts!

If you would like to help Lucky and many other young children experience the gift of music, add the Durban Children’s Home as a beneficiary today.

Generating young leaders through education!

GOLD (Generation of Leaders Discovered) was founded in September 2004 to respond pro-actively to the increasing incidence of HIV infections and risk behaviour amongst youth and its negative impact on education and communities at large. This was done with a sense of urgency to do justice to the scale and rate of such infections, while still accepting the reality that sustained and positive behaviour change requires significant investment of time, resources and one-on-one mentorship and support.

The GOLD Peer Education model has been pioneered over the last 5 years, and drew on best practice global research together with the learnings of pioneering NGO's implementing peer education in Southern Africa.

“Peer education doesn't tell you what to do differently but changes you as a person, so that you can do things differently. I think it is probably the best approach imaginable when dealing with young people.” – Grade 12 Peer Educator.

On the 14 December GOLD Peer Education Development Agency held a fundraising event in partnership with the Zip Zap Circus.  GOLD managed to sell just over 400 tickets to the show, some of which were donated to the young adults from township communities who are part of GOLD’s youth development and leadership programme so that they too could attend.

Shouts of surprise and excitement, roars of laughter and gasps of marvel punctuated the evening’s feats of fun and daring.  The show was a great success.  Young and old left having enjoyed the evening and more informed about GOLD’s life-changing work among future leaders in South Africa. Funds raised through the ZipZap circus event contributed towards a shortfall being raised by GOLD to provide over 1000 new peer educators with a lifetime toolkit of skills, leadership development, and a connection to future opportunities to continue to contribute to taking Africa forward. A character of integrity and strength is formed in each one of  these young leaders over the 3 years who will in turn each measurably impact 9 peers and children to adopt positive and purpose driven social norms through multiple activities and face to face support. 

At R250 per month (R3,000 per year) one young person is provided with the GOLD programme.

You can support this very worthy cause and ensure that GOLD continue to nurture our youth.

Add GOLD as a beneficiary today, every swipe counts!

A shine on literacy

The Shine Centre brings literacy to life each and every day by proving that words can change worlds. This organisation provides literacy and language support to children through the gift of reading. See their short advert showcasing why they do what they do. This ad was created pro-bono by Daniella Perlman at ISpot Productions.

Add the Shine Centre as a beneficiary today, and make every swipe count.

Tutu blesses new Cape Town centre for children undergoing cancer treatment

Thanks to the Out of Africa Children’s Foundation – people who bring their children to Cape Town to receive cancer treatment will never be without a place to sleep! This month, this outstanding Foundation launched its second facility in Cape Town– a children’s centre in Newlands which will accommodate six families while ensuring that their children receive the best pre- and post-operative care.

The Out of Africa Children’s Foundation is the brainchild of Kim Ferroli-Highfield, whose daughter survived cancer 15 years ago. “When we were going through treatment we thought we were hard done by, until we started meeting other families who had to cope not only with the trauma of their sick children but also with not having decent places to stay or food to eat. When I learned that a mother who had brought her child to Cape Town for treatment was living under a bridge and was brutally raped one day on her way from hospital I knew that I had to do something.”

Their primary mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and terminal illnesses, as well as saving abandoned babies in Africa.
They support the needs of the children and their immediate family in the most dignified and compassionate manner.

In September 2011, Ferroli-Highfield opened as a hospice for terminally ill children and their parents in Parow – and now, thanks to your support, they finally have a second place to assist those in need.

The honourable Archbishop Desmond Tutu was present at the opening of the 2nd facility and applauded this organisation’s work and above all their Head: “Kim is a real powerhouse; quite extraordinary. There are so many good people doing good things in our society, it’s just that we seldom have the opportunity to read about them.”

So true! Hence we blog about all the awesome news in our community…you can share the news too, by sharing this page to facebook, twitter or email; and help this organisation continue to make a life changing difference. Add the Out of Africa Children’s Foundation to your beneficiary list.

Remember, with your MySchool card, you can support up to three causes.

Thank you for your support!