Friends of Helping Hands Project

Many of us often have the thought somewhere in the back of our minds, that we would like to get involved or help people who are less fortunate than ourselves BUT we also what's the point if it won't help much because after all, how can one person make a difference.

I often face this question. My answer is always, I would rather make a difference to the life of one than none. If we all helped at least one person, we can make a difference. I personally believe that this change in our attitude can reflect a positive impact to the many issues we face in South Africa as whole.

There are these amazing 2 women from the UK, Mommy Rachel and Rose. They are the most humble and most caring people I have ever met in my life with the biggest of hearts filled with so much love and zest for life. They came to visit the Helping Hands Project 2 years ago and fell in love with the children.

Ever since, they have hosted several tea parties and with the help of their friends, have raised over GBP800 (approx R12000), now that's a whole lot of tea and cake if you ask me. They have committed their time to add value to the people and children of Helping Hands as 'young' as they are (both well over 65 years old). I really admire these 2 women for their energy and passion. The money they raised were used to provide food supplies, new blankets and new matresses.

I would like you all to consider becoming a Friend of the Helping Hands Project and make a difference to the many lives who need your support.

Consider a donation which is suitable to your pocket and become a Friend of Helping Hands. Helping Hands is a registered Non-Profit Organisation (NPO 062934). Should you make donation, please forward your details with a copy of the payment to helping-hands@live.co.za so we can add you to our database and acknowledge your contribution.

Their banking details are as follows:
Account Name - HH Educare
Account Type - Savings
Bank Name - Capitec Bank
Branch Name - Philipi
Branch Code - 470010
Account Number - 1179840311
Reference - Blog
For more information about the Helping Hands Project, please contact us via email, Mabel (Director) on Tel. 021 385 1225 or Dominic (Manager) on Tel. 082 725 9963.

We thank you for your support and interest in our Project.

Love, Peace and Blessings.

It's raining and pouring, the little kids need warming...

As we welcome a season of beautiful winter sunsets we are also faced with the reality of freezing cold winter nights.

The township of Gugulethu, as in many other places, were worst affected by the recent heavy rains and we need your help and support.

Let's work together as a true community and share the love to bring comfort to these little angels from Helping Hands. With your support we can make a difference. Why not turn this need into a fun event and get your family, friends and colleagues to work as a team and see who brings to biggest, thickest and most colourful blankets. (take some pics and email them to me)

We need as many blankets possible as Helping Hands is home to 55 kids throughout the day. Their current mattresses have also seen better days so every penny counts in order to replace the current "worn and torn" mattresses which will cost approximately R150 per cot mattress.

Should you have any unwanted clothing items, these would also be welcomed. The littles angels are aged between 6 months and 6 years old.

For more info on how you can make a difference or to arrange delievery, please contact Dominic: helping-hands@live.co.za or 082 725 9963.

God Bless!

Fundraiser Concert - 25 March

Building Project

Helping Hands is run from Mable's (mama's) house and space is therefore limited. Most of her work is done from a single garage and the educare centre has now overflowed into her lounge, bedroom and kitchen so that there's sufficient place for the kids to eat and sleep.

Mama is desperate for a new space where she can keep home seperate from Helping Hands. One of the plots which has been her eye candy is a plot on the next block. A temporary building which was made from chip board which was used an a voting station in the 1994 elections. However, 15 years later this structure is still used, as broken it may be, it's quite clear all was done to keep the structure from collapsing where doors, vibrocrete slabs and even bed mattresses where used to offer support. The Centre is mainly used for spiritual discussions and prayer groups. Mama also meets with one of her youth group's in here but that's where it ends as it's not a very healthy environment to be in.

Currently mama is in discussion with the Department of Land Affair about taking ownership on this piece of land as she's been given permission to use it whenever for whatever without any charge. The idea would be to demolish this fragile structure and build a proper centre where mama can run her educare centre in a more child-friendly environment, have sufficient space for her various groups, councelling and some bunk accommodation when she wears the shoes of the emergency mother. The idea would also be to create a food garden so Helping Hands can become more self-sufficient and save costs.

All of this costs money and the unfortunate part is, they have none. This is where I need your support to help give them a new home.

We will be having several fundraisers during the next 2 years to raise our R25000 which is required for the plot should mama not be successful in getting the plot at a minimal cost plus a further R60000+ to build the centre.

For more info, email: helping-hands@live.co.za

small organisation, BIG NEEDS

There are many things Helping Hands require in order to accommodate the many groups Mable runs including the Educare Centre.

Wishlist
• Large carpet/tiles to cover single garage
• Mattreses (some of the older kids sleep on the floor due to lack of mattresses)
• Blankets
• Plastic cups
• Plastic plates
• Plastic spoons
• Small tables & chairs
• Crayons
• Puzzles
• Aprons (doesn’t need to be bought, can be homemade as well)
• Large plastic sheets
• Bibles (pref isiXhosa)
• Story books (pref isiXhosa)
• Educational toys
• Food Supplies (cans and/or dry ingredients)

Cash donations can also be made to:

Account Name - HH Educare
Account Type - Savings
Bank Name - Capitec Bank
Branch Name - Philipi
Branch Code - 470010
Account Number - 1179840311

Please put LOVE as a reference so we can track where the donations come from.

Perhaps you have some spare time to offer and prefer to offer a helping hand to Helping Hands, then please contact Dominic for more info.

Thank You & God Bless

Xmas Time

Growing up in a mixed family always had me interested in other cultures and wanting to learn about their lives and in some cases, being a part of their lives. It was then when I decided I would like to be involved with a small oganisation.

In 2006 I had this burning desire to get involved with an organisation in a township who is really battling with with it's everyday operations but who is not affiliated to a church organisation or government, and there I was introduced by colleague from Gugulethu to Helping Hands in KTC, Gugulethu.

At first I was wanting to play a small role like organising an annual christmas party for the kids from the Educare Centre as I felt this in it's own is changing lives in a small way. The sad reality is, these kids don't know christmas like we do. For them, it's just another day. I took the party idea to my church (http://www.goodhopemcc.org/) and they agreed to assist with funds.

Well December came and we had a little party for almost 50 kids, I normally like to refer to them as "Little Angels" and you'll know why when you see them. It was the highlight of their year and even parents kept talking about it throughout the year when visiting.

In 2007, I decided a christmas party is not complete without a christmas tree and a father christmas. Well we did just that, a santa, a christmas tree and many balloons. The lounge and garage was filled with excitement like never before. These kids were so overwhelmed and even some of the parents were emotional as they too have never witnessed santa and a tree in person other than on tv.

In 2008, we did the same but this time shared a meal as we received sufficient food donations to feed all and even better, we had doubles the number of volunteer than the previous year so we gave Mable and her team a break and we took control over their space. We expected 50 kids max which by the end of the day turned out to be 84. The food was so blessed that there was sufficient for all the kids, adults and the kids on the street. Everyone was stuffed. Even the toys and party packs (just about) were sufficient.

This is one event that just keep growing over the years. Something I would like to continue. Space however is an issue so I'm hoping there's a very kind hearted person out there reading this post who might assist wih transport and a bigger venue.

I would like to thank Good Hope MCC and all individuals who contributed in making this memorable day possible.

Peace...
Dominic

In the Beginning

It was in 2003, when Mable Solani was first approached by people from the community of KTC and Gugulethu for advise, food and money. As this became more and more of the norm, Mable (also known as 'Mama') was inspired to start a soup kitchen. She asked her husband at the time to borrow her R200, which he thought was impossible to feed the community with, but she proved him wrong and fed the locals with soup. Soon, others saw what she did and has offered to support her in this venture.

One thing led to another and before she knew it, she was also running an Educare Centre which today houses +/- 50 kids between 3 months and 7 years old. This was mama's only form of income where parents were asked to pay a minimal amount per month.

In 2006, the Department of Social Development and the local SAP came to mama asking her to be an emergency mother which and little knowing what she was in for, she agreed. To date she has taken care of several lost and abused children and big adults who have been kicked out of their homes for whatever reason. She fed them and nurtured them as if they were her own, without any financial support from government.

Mama also has the following projects which she runs with on week evenings and weekends:

• HIV/Aids Project


• HIV/Aids Councelling


• Spiritual Councelling


• Youth Group Workshops


• Senior Group Discussions


• Skills Development


• Soup Kitchen during the winter months

Even though times are tough, Mable's spirit of love and sharing never dies and her priority remains her work in the local community. She has won several community builder awards over the past few years for her outstanding work in the community and has always proved herself to be a keen player in addressing health issues.

Mable has big needs but funding if very limited yet she proves it is possible to do more with less.