CREIGHTON SUNFLOWER HEALTH EDUCATION & LIFE PROJECTScdn.instabuildsites.com/users/2011_2012_ANNUAL_REPORT_FOR_C… · I am honoured to report that there are many, many people who

ANNUAL REPORT/2012

CREIGHTON SUNFLOWER HEALTH EDUCATION & LIFE PROJECTS

077-259 NPO

Introduction and overview

This is only our second year of operation and against the backdrop of a very poor economic climate it has not been without its challenges – not least for the people we serve.

Our vision is to improve the lives of people in our resource-poor communities. We strive to restore hope and dignity in an atmosphere of social upliftment. Our core values are love, sincerity, inclusivity and fun and I believe that this is evident in all of our programs and projects.

Due to the nature of the innumerable needs in our communities we have a number of projects within our portfolio and these will be detailed hereunder.

Essential to our very existence are those who support, guide, encourage and enrich our work. I am honoured to report that there are many, many people who stand beside us and I will acknowledge them to the very best of my ability at the end of this report; but there is one person without whom we would not be able to exist at all and that is Mrs. Joni Sullivan, the founder and president of America to Africa Health Education and Life Projects, Boise Idaho.

We salute you all on behalf of our people and in the words of the great and wonderful Mr. Nelson Mandela “Virtue and generosity will be rewarded in ways that one cannot know”.

It is my honour and privilege to present this annual report.

Yours in service

Debbie Rowe

Tel: 039 8331271 Cell: 082 5639858 e-mail: [email protected]

PROJECTS IN OUR PORTFOLIO

• The Creighton Sunflower HELP Centre – Winner of the Ingwe Mayoral Award for Service to the Community 2011.

• The Sunflower Project – National White Ribbon and CPSI Public Sector Innovation Award winner 2006, Woodburn Trophy winner 2008.

• The S’khumbuzo Zulu Memorial Disability Outreach Program in partnership with Pietermaritzburg and District Cerebral Palsy Association.

• The IsibaniSezweCentocowPre-School Association. • Centocow Leadership Training Group. • Rural Animal Project • Counseling Training and services in partnership with Rights for All Women

(RAW) Denmark • The Jill Stokes Memorial Project

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS

1. Chairperson – Mr. Kwenzakufani Petrus Dlamini 2. Deputy Chairperson – Ms. Thokozile Angeline Dlamini 3. Treasurer – Mrs. Roslyn Saulez 4. Secretary – Mrs. Debbie Rowe 5. Out of Country Representative – Mrs. Joni Sullivan 6. Member – Mrs. Florence Ningi Ngubo-Mkhize 7. Member – Mr. Mvie Baleni

The Creighton Sunflower HELP Centre

The Centre has realised our dream of becoming the heart and centre of the community we serve. There is never a dull moment at the Centre which comprises: Thola Ulwazi Creighton Pre-School, Tiny Toes Play Group, the S’khumbuzo Zulu Memorial Disability Clinic, a purpose-built facilityfor taking sensitive police statements in a child-friendly environment and an office for our social work. The outside rooms have been converted into a counselling and training centre complete with an office, kitchen and bathroom for our work with survivors of gender violence.

We have been able to build a spacious veranda to

offer shade to our visitors, it is especially useful for wheelchair users.

This is to be dedicated to the memory of the late Mr Maurice Gibb, one of the famous Bee Gees. The funds for the renovations were graciously donated by his loving wife Yvonne.

Before After

We have also renovated the old sandpit into a special classroom for the Tiny Toes and dedicated this to the memory of our beloved Likho. It is a delightful, warm and cosy space for our 2-3 year old children. In total 53 little ones aged 2-5 years attend our pre-school.

The indigenous garden is beautiful and we have added a secure trampoline and a tiny swimming pool. Many happy hours have been spent giving swimming lessons – I think more fun than swimming took place!

The team from Kingdom Kidz Pretoria has recently partnered in our work in the Hlabeni area and donated to us a greenhouse to grow vegetables for our children.

All in all a beautiful place to visit where everyone is welcome, please pop in.

The Sunflower Project

“Assisting Survivors of Gender Violence Every Step of the Way”.

South Africa is internationally recognized as a country with one of the highest rates of sexual assaults, though no certain statistics are available, these crimes are often hidden.

In partnership with Rights for All Women (RAW) we are reaching out into our communities.(Pictured Sus from RAW with Master Siwela).

This year we have partnered with Childline to conduct campaigns in local schools and are very proud to have exposed a number of cases which have been successfully resolved.

We continue to supply Sunflower Bags for survivors of sexual violence and we now have a Victim-friendly Facility on our premises – our dream is to open a Shelter, currently there is not one in our entire district.

We serve on both the Local and Provincial Victim Empowerment Forums and sadly the local Community Policing Forum has collapsed.

The S’khumbuzo Zulu Memorial Disability Outreach Clinic and Program

This Program and Clinic began in 2009 and continues to run under the auspices and expertise of the Pietermaritzburg and District Cerebral Palsy Association (CPA).

This year has seen a great deal of growth in the work of both the Clinic and the outreach component, this in spite of the withdrawal of The Valley Trust (TVT) from their long-standing work in the area at the end of 2011 due to funding constraints.

We assist three other local humanitarian organisations, namely Woza Moya Project from Ufafa, Sinomhawu AIDS Project from Riverside and Sizisizwe from Mahehle who bring their special needs children and adults to us each month for care and therapy. Our Clinics run twice a month and our 11 community-based RAW counsellors do a sterling job to fill the gap left by TVT in the community, although this is above and beyond their duties. Mrs Molly Bailey of Siyabona who used to bring children to our Clinic retired at the end of 2011. As the founder of Training Resources in Early Education (TREE) she continues to be an inspiration to us all.

Mrs Anthea Mitchell (Physiotherapist) from the Pietermaritzburg& District Cerebral Palsy Associationattends each Clinic and single-handedly treats every client who attends, ably assisted by Mrs Mildred Shelembe from RAW. Sadly the local Community Service Therapists from Christ the King Hospital no longer join us but Mrs Clair Lettenga the Dietician from St Apollinaris Hospital does amazing work at each Clinic. Needless to say this is of immense benefit to our clients. Thanks to Dr Neil McKerrow the Chief Specialist & Head: Paediatrics & Child Health for the region we have access to the services of Dr Moodley who is a Paediatrician from Pietermaritzburg who visits monthly. The number of clients who visit our Clinic increases monthly and we wish to record our sincere gratitude to Dr Manci (Medical

Manager) and Dr Macaba (Senior Medical Practitioner) from St Apollinaris Hospital who especially assists the clients we refer.

The unofficial support group that has formed among our people continues. Sadly disability is largely misunderstood in our communities and this leads to isolation. Through our program parents, children and caregivers all support one another and the Clinic days are characterized by a lot of fun and laughter. Tea and snacks courtesy of Ms Lewis from CPA are provided at each Clinic and wholesome soup is provided once a month by Mrs Gemmel and her team from Smithfield Guesthouse to everyone who attends. The Shoebox Project of Hlanganani Ngothando (HNO) kindly provided a gift for each child for Christmas.

The Isibani Sezwe Centocow Pre-School Association

The incredible growth within our Association and developments at our member sites has continued this year; through relevant registrations with government, training, partnerships, health interventions and an exciting move towards further education and training for our teachers.

Our Association membership increased to in 2011. Training and support continue and in partnership with the Department of Social Development registrations and legislative requirements have been met.

Mrs Zethu Magwaza of the Department of Education (Early Childhood Development) has secured the employment of a number of our members on a temporary basis with the Department.

Many of our sites receive food, so our children are assured of at least one cooked meal each school day. It is a sad fact that many children are affected by HIV, poverty and hunger in some way. Food and resources are provided by the Creighton Community Church (by kind favour of Mesdames Scott and Everett), Small Village Foundation and Kingdom Kidz.

With sincere gratitude we acknowledgethe provision of toys for each of our children, both at our S’khumbuzo Zulu Clinic and at every pre-school, courtesy of East Coast Radio station in partnership with Lions International plus food parcels for the poorest of our people.

Centocow Leadership Training Group (CLTG)

Situated on the picturesque Centocow Mission and established in 1994 CLTG is by far the oldest project in our portfolio.

The Group was founded to empower women to tackle issues within their community. The issues they identified include gender violence, teenage pregnancy, hunger and of course, HIV and Aids.

From a humble office Nomawushe Bhekwa assists community members with photocopying. Our Isibani Sezwe Centocow Pre-School Association meetings are held at this office and each month the Rural Animal Program visits the grounds in partnership with the local Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs.

Good second hand clothing is sold to sustain the existence of the Group. We gratefully acknowledge the support of Centocow Mission which provides the premises, water and electricity free of charge.

Rural Animal Project

The dire need for clinical services for the local animal population served as the impetus for this project which runs as a public/ private partnership with the local Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs (Veterinary Services).

Mrs Vannorsdel of America to Africa HELP arranged for a donation of vaccines for dogs in our rural areas. Rabies immunizations are free from the State but other diseases such as Distemper and Canine Parvo Virus are devastating in poorer communities, for whom the price of vaccine from private veterinarians is prohibitive. This project continues to yield wonderful results and the local animal population is considerably healthier. Once again, no Rabies cases have been reported in the area for the year. It is hoped that with improved animal care and education a huge impact on Rabies control can be made and the tested strategies of this project can now be rolled out to other areas.

Counselling Training and Services

In working partnership with Rights for All Women (RAW) from Denmark 12 lay counsellors were trained this year and stationed in 11 villages in the Ingwe municipal area. Every counsellor graduated from the 12 week training course with a certificate and on-going supervision and oversight procedures are in place.

The staggering need for counselling services may be seen in the latest statistical analysis for the project hereunder.

Activities

Counselling GBV survivors individuals reached year 1 = 456

Workshops on GBV = 29 reaching a total of 701 individuals

Workshops for Life Orientation teachers = 12 schools reached

Meetings with community leaders = 41 such meetings

Other counselling = 73 cases

Due to popular community demand and the positive impact of the counselling services, another training program has begun and 19 people are attending. An advanced course is planned and the Family and Marriage Society of South Africa are to begin a training program early in 2012.

The Jill Stokes Memorial Project

In memory of Jill Stokes who was a trained nurse and a most popular community member this Project was instituted in 2011. It seeks to serve the elderly members of our community and began in Tar’s Valley Location outside Creighton. Health clinics have been held, reading glasses provided and good second-hand clothing distributed.

It is a sad facet of the HIV pandemic that many elderly folk are now caring for their grandchildren, dealing not only with the loss of a beloved child but the added responsibility of raising young child. They deserve our utmost respect, empathy and support and

it is with this in mind that the Jill Stokes Memorial Project was instituted.

Adding to the support we are able to offer and in working partnership with Clowns Without Borders, two community workshops were held this year. The Clowns are an asset to any project and they expanded their support this year by reaching every primary school in our area with their lively, happy shows. We were honoured to be joined by Clowns Without Borders Ireland and their founder Kolm O’Grady directed the shows. A truly unforgettable experience. They truly live up to their motto of “no child without a smile”. Two of our local counsellors have been trained as community facilitators.

Other Projects

As is always the case in a small community, especially one such as ours with such limited resources, it is inevitable that humanitarian organisations will stretch their boundaries.

Creighton Sunflower HELP is involved not only in its core work but other projects too and in the interests of complete reporting these need to be mentioned.

Sibongakonke Community-based Organisation

Mrs Octavia Nguni a Home-based Care Worker, who headed upSibongakonke, has moved to Pietermaritzburg leaving the project in the capable hands of Mrs Sylvia Dlamini-Zulu. The group cares for orphans and vulnerable children in the Hlabeni village near to Centocow. Hlabeni is one of the poorest areas in our District and greatly lacks support. Creighton Sunflower HELP has drawn alongside this Organisation and with the support of Kingdom Kidz from Pretoria the partnership has grown. A site to develop a “drop-in” centre for the children has been identified in consultation with the community and Kingdom Kidz provides physical and spiritual support for the children at the new local pre-primary school. We look forward to reporting on this project as it develops.

Hospital Outreach

Mrs Joni Sullivan from America to Africa HELP, as a health care professional has health services close to her heart. Joni has arranged for medical supplies to be brought into our area to assist at our resource-poor local hospitals. This year St Apollinaris Hospital has benefitted greatly and opened its doors and its heart to this initiative. The team from Creighton Sunflower HELP gave Children’s Ward at the hospital a facelift just in time for Christmas and Joni’s sister Julie and her friends provided clothing and soft toys for the children. A working partnership has developed where we are able to monitor and support children after they are discharged from hospital and report back to the institution.

Nix Matters Newspaper

We gratefully acknowledge the above newspaper for granting us a monthly slot to report on our activities to the greater community. This creates a window on our work and an interactive opportunity for the public at large to engage with us.

Ixopo and District Local Victim Empowerment Forum

Under the auspices of Senior State Advocate Dawn Coleman of the National Prosecuting Authority and the expert chairmanship of Reverend Roddy Blom of the Ixopo Methodist Church, we serve as the secretariat of the above Forum. A number of training sessions have been held this year and the Forum continues to gain support and momentum. Professor Rosemary Jolly and her team from Queen’s University in Canada will be continuing their research in our District over the next five years and we are honoured to have been selected as a co-investigator.

Ingwe and District Humanitarian Organisation Coalition

Previously known as the Ingwe NGO Cluster, this Coalition has been formed to be more inclusive of community and faith-based organisations active in the area.

Driven by a great need for civil society mobilisation the Coalition strives to form a close reporting and advocacy network for civil society as whole. Creighton Sunflower HELP chairs this Coalition.

Little Heroes

A sad reality of life in our area is the number of orphans and vulnerable children in our communities. Child-headed households and children caring for ailing parents and caregivers is commonplace.

There is a great need to encourage such children to complete their schooling in order for them to maximise their potential. Often they lack the fundamental means of support to maintain their dignity and self-esteem, such as school uniforms. Little Heroes Project addresses this and also assists with school liaison and school work support, coupled with moral support and encouragement to strive for success.

Working Partnerships

In addition to our partnerships mentioned above in our projects portfolio we respectfully acknowledge the following partnership support:

Mr Gerald Sieberhagen – Toy Story, Winter Warmth Campaign and food parcels

Creighton Women’s Auxiliary – support too numerous to detail

Michaelmas Nursing College – Student Social Auxiliary Worker Program

Small Village Foundation – Vulingqondo Pre-School building project and outreach

Biblionef – Library books for our local schools

With Sincere Gratitude

Any humanitarian welfare organisation cannot function without active support from the community at large and every gram of help, support, encouragement and kindness often makes the difference between giving up and going on. We therefore salute each and every person who is part of our work; we would be lost without you. The following list of people not already mentioned above, may not be inclusive and any omissions are entirely unintentional. It is deeply touching, humbling and overwhelming that the generosity received is often impossible to keep account of and yet it is the very essence of our service.

Konica Minolta for their donation of a photocopying machine

Reverend Blom for offering his services free of charge to train our lay counsellors

Master Tom Stokes – spectacles for the Jill Stokes Memorial Project

Creighton Sports Club – Soft furnishings for our Clinic and pre-schools

Creighton Bowling Club for financial support

Mr Eugene Yenganbaram and friends for second hand clothing for to support our work

Ms Cara Gough and her colleagues and friends for shoes, clothing and toys for our children

Pietermaritzburg Community Chest for shoes, toiletries and disposable napkins

Mrs Rae Southon and the Knutty Knitters from England for hand-knitted items for our children

Ingwe Municipality for reduced rates and our recent Mayoral award

Mr and Mrs Brickell for continued support with clothing and toys

Mr Govender from Richmond Pharmacy for toys and clothing for our pre-school children

Mesdames Adams and Nero from Ixopo Primary School for books and clothing

Close to Joni’s heart the Maurice Gibb Memorial Counseling Center

So far in 2012 we have had 20 abused children receive help “Maurice would

be so pleased with the help these children are receiving I always feel like he is there with me when I visit.” The next project is a safe haven from their abuser.

Conclusion

On behalf of the Management Committee and all of our staff wethank you all, once again for supporting our work in so many ways. Ours is a community-based service organisation – for the people by the people. And Emma and Vuyiswa as best friends exude the happiness we strive to achieve.