Robin Goff, our partner for the Light Center just sent us this amazing video produced by Silent Unity। This original song, written by Rich Fagan, Chris Clarke and Richard Mekdeci (vocalist), showcases the powerful effect affirmative prayer can have on the world. To purchase an MP3 of this song go to www.empowerma.com.
On Feb. 19th, a group of South African Go-Go's received 46 aprons which were specially hand made by volunteers in the U.S. in support of South African Grandmothers (Go-Go's). It was a day of celebration, love and gratitude for this strong group of women who stand as the backbone of our society.
The atmosphere was festive and jovial at the little house in Langa where Siyaphambili Orphan Village, Ndileka Xameni's initiative, resides. As we entered the crowded patio, we were greeted by more than 40 South African grandmothers (Go-Go's) with a plate of food. "You arrived just on time!" One of them said. "The Celebration is about to begin."
As we sat down to eat a delicious plate of home made food, Mary Stuart, a U.S. volunteer from the The Light Center of Kansas, accompanied by a group of several volunteers from the United States, proceeded to gift each Go-Go with a beautifully hand-crafted apron, as a symbol of recognition and gratitude for the labor these courageous women undergo each day. These aprons were the result of many hours of labor by volunteers in the United States who wanted South African Go-Go's to know that they feel for them, and that they are also standing beside them.
In case you are not aware, South African Go-Go's have been one of the most affected population groups after losing their daughters to HIV/AIDS and having to become heads of households again, some of them having to act as mothers and fathers of their own and others' grandchildren.
During the ceremony the Go-Go's shared their successes, their failures, their feelings and support for each other. They sang, danced, and continued to honor each others' efforts to uplift their families, ensuring their grandchildren stay in schools and are properly cared for. "These women need each other, they need the support of their community to do the work they do in helping their families. That is why I created a weekly support group. I don't want them to feel that they are all alone. We have each other." Said Ndeleka Xameni who leads the weekly support group in Langa as part of the Institute's OVC Programme.
On behalf of the Novalis Ubuntu Institute, we would like to thank all the volunteers in the United States including Robin Goff and Mary Frost, as well as other individuals who through The Light Center in Kansas made this event possible. Thank you for your love and compassion, and most important for showing your support to this wonderful group of grandmothers. Thank you Ndileka for continuing to hold these support groups. We at Novalis Ubuntu are very proud of you.
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After nearly three years pioneering the development and successful implementation of our Orphan and Vulnerable Children's Programme (OVC) our beloved Claire Barry (center), will step down from her post as Program Manager in order to continue her exciting journey of life. We are very sad to see her go, and wish her all the best in the world, knowing that she's already riding high on the wings of creativity, joy and success!
We are very grateful to Claire for all those years she dedicated to the successful implementation of her vision, by patiently and organically crafting a very powerful transformational programme. Since its inception, the programme has positively affected the lives of more than 2,000 South African children, their caretakers, their communities and their homes. Without her instrumental guidance and enthusiasm, this programme would have never been possible.
Claire will be replaced by the wonderful Mrs. Bea Juries (top left). We have no doubt that Mrs. Bea will continue to help expand the vision of our Orphan and Vulnerable Children's Programme (OVC) and we would like to publicly welcome her, knowing that we believe she's the most qualified person to lead this wonderful programme, and wish her much success! Welcome to the Novalis Ubuntu Institute Mrs. Bea!
The Orphan and Vulnerable Children's Programme (OVC), which brings a creative intervention into the lives of orphan and vulnerable children and their caretakers has been made possible thanks to the generous donation of the Swedish Government (Forum Syd) through the SOFIA Foundation.
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The following is an excerpt from an article published on the Feb. 19th issue of the Constantia Bulletin. It was written by Inga Strydom. Thank you Inga for covering our Beautiful Schools for Africa Concert and School Tour, for all your support in helping us spread our message.
It was a beautiful benefit indeed. So beautiful in fact, that it moved the audience to hold hands, sing and dance together. Two days of intense artistic interaction with 4,000 pupils from six schools culminated in the Beautiful Schools for Africa Benefit Concert held at the Novalis Ubuntu Institute of Holistic Education in Wynberg on Sunday.
Before the actual concert, "spontaneous cellist" and musician Francois le Roux (also known as the Ha! Man) spent two days performing at Ottery Road Methodist, Kannemeyer, Sid G Rule, Bongolethu, Mzamomble and Entshona primary schools where art and music do not play an integral role in the schools' curricula.
Mr. le Roux said the performances were very interactive and focused on the students' innate musicality. "They could just express themselves. What I try to release or reveal is in that in each of us there is an artist that expresses beautifully. As an artist, you need to experience all sides of the spectrum. It's between these polarities that you can truly create music that brings us together from all spheres of life."
The concert also featured a silent auction which was held in the foyer where holistic books and CDs mainly by Natalia Baker were on sale as well as paintings. To support, join or donate to the Novalis Ubuntu Institute visit www.novalis.org.za
Want to see pictures of the concert and schools tour? View the Photo Gallery.
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During the month of February we had the privilege of being visited by representatives of Forum Syd, Heidi Huusko, project officer at the Youth Fund and Enos Mwale, financial manager in Lusaka.
On the SOFIA Foundation's side we received the visit of Ida Lofstrom. Ida is now in charge of overseeing the implementation of the programme. Her involvement in the Orphan and Vulnerable Children's Programme (OVC) began when in 2006 she came to South Africa and worked as a volunteer in the programme's early stages of development.
Thank you Forum Syd and SOFIA Foundation for making this grant available to us, and for supporting the Novalis Ubuntu Insitute's mission and programmes.
February was also a busy learning month here at the Institute and as part of the monthly activities, we received the visit of several Healing Touch Teachers and Trainers from the United States.
Leading the outreach programme was Mary Frost, Certified Healing Touch practitioner and trainer. Mary has been traveling to South Africa every year, as part of an outreach programme developed in partnership with The Light Center in Kansas. Their visit, in addition to providing Healing Touch to our Programme Participants, also included a two-weekend intensive training in Healing Touch, Levels 1 and 2 where several of our facilitators and staff participated. One of the sessions included the participation of well known African Sangoma Peter von Maltitz.
Healing Touch is a series of energy-based therapy classes in which students use a variety of hands-on techniques that facilitate energy balance for wholeness within the individual, supporting physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. Healing Touch is a complementary (or integrative) energy therapy that can be used in conjunction with traditional therapies. The goal of healing touch is to restore harmony and balance in the human energy system by creating an optimal environment to enable the body's innate tendency for healing to occur. For more information on Healing Touch visit www.healingtouchprogram.com
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We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported our Beautiful Schools for Africa Concert. Thank you HA!Man (Francois le Roux) for the out-pouring of passion and talent. Thank you staff, board members, volunteers, and members of our community. Thank you to everyone who donated their time, talent, and gifts. Finally, a big THANK YOU to our sponsors for your donated gifts:
There's a house in Langa township outside of Cape Town where the joyful sound of children playing almost never ceases. This is the home of Ndileka Xameni. She's called "Nosicelo", which means gift from God. She lives there with her husband, her three children and the 25 AIDS orphans (ages 4 to 18) she has taken into her care. It's a modest house and the children live in cramped quarters, but it's also a place for brightness and hope.
While working in Mitchells's Plain at Lentegeur Hospital as a qualified social worker, Ndileka started delivering letters from AIDS patients in her ward to their children living in Langa. The letters brought comfort to the youngsters but Ndileka wanted to do more. So in 2005 she quit her job, turned her house into a haven and started the Siyaphambili orphanage. "To start with we dug out of our own pockets" says Ndileka, "but today we have assistance through donations."
Apart from running Siyaphambili, Ndileka also runs programmes for 210 children who live with their gogos, provides aftercare for about 60 children, runs a support group for grannies who look after their orphaned grandchildren and facilitates teen-mother support groups. "When the noise gets too much and I want to rest, I run away to friends", she jokes.
Ndileka also loves cooking and is often in the kitchen preparing delicious meals that ensure full stomachs and smiles on innocent faces.
Here at the Novalis Ubuntu Institute we feel both honoured and blessed to be working with Ndileka, and look forward to continuing to support her through our OVC Program.
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