MaAfrika Tikkun

July 24th, 2007 · No Comments

Amanda, the marketing and events manager for MaAfrika Tikkun, invited me to an event that MaAfrika Tikkun was running.

On Monday 23rd July 2007, MaAfrika Tikkun and Deutsche Bank Foundation presents our Big Talk Youth Conference. This is a one day conference where 150 students from 25 schools around the Western Cape will have the opportunity to discuss pertinent issues and challenges facing the youth today. We promise a day of world-class guest speakers, knowledgeable panel experts and powerful dialogue - please be our guest and be part of what promises to become a must on every conscious South African’s annual calendar - a sustainable voice for our youth.

I didn’t make the morning session, and JUST MADE it to the afternoon session - I’m extremely glad I did.

Picture the scene…

…150 students representing numerous schools in Cape Town sitting on a stand overlooking a panel of about 10 experts representing education, HIV, legal and a number of other important areas. And for 2 hours, the students presented their opinions on every topic that was important to them.

It was fascinating how HIGHLY opinionated the students were about every topic that affects them, with sex and HIV being discussed numerous times, with their views being for the benefit of South African society rather than for the purpose of creating a pathetic DVD like international comedian Pauly Shore did on Saturday night.

One of the most touching moments was when one of the kids stood up and argued the point some of the other kids had made about parents sharing knowledge being an essential ingredient to a young adult learning life skills, by letting us all know a deeply personal life experience of hers - even though her mother was in gaol, she had found other role models to learn from.

A few minutes later, the conference ended, and the same girl walked to the front to sing a closing song.

WOW!!!! This young girl had the most AMAZING VOICE - she sung Hero by Mariah Carey and when she had finished the rest of the school kids went CRAZY with applause. It was one of those moments when you are glad you are part of something - a girl who a few minutes earlier had spoken about her mother being in gaol, was singing with a voice of superstar quality!

A few minutes later she led us singing the South African anthem, and once again I got a shiver realising what an amazing singing talent this girl has, and how she has the determination to succeed.

I worked with Amanda on another community project last year for the Glendale organisation, and when I heard that Amanda had joined the MaAfrika Tikkun team, I knew that MaAfrika Tikkun had just taken on an incredible POWERHOUSE.

I knew that MaAfrika Tikkun was a Jewish outreach program, but until I attended the Big Talk Youth Conference today, I didn’t know exactly what MaAfrika Tikkun does…

…and I didn’t know that Nelson Mandela was the Chief Patron of MaAfrika Tikkun.

I just spent time at the MaAfrica Tikkun website finding out what they do…

Orphans and Vulnerable Children
HIV/AIDs have made an impact in the lives of children. We have children who are orphaned and vulnerable in our care. To institutionalize them creates a bigger problem because South Africa does not have the infrastructure firstly and secondly, it creates more psychosocial problems for the children (e.g. separated from siblings, moving to a strange place and uncertainty).

HIV/AIDs Caregivers
MaAfrika Tikkun trains caregivers to provide homebased care to those patients who are bedridden and infected by the HIV virus. The caregivers are also trained in counselling (Grief, depression, substance abuse) and data collection which enables us to collect information on the community to provide essential services and also proactively manage vulnerable families and infected patients.

Youth Leadership Programs
The leadership program for youth is based at schools in disadvantaged and impoverished communities that are plagued by poverty, gang violence, substance abuse and general human rights violations.

Feeding Scheme and Vegetable Garden
MaAfrika Tikkun provides a hot nutritious meal for 1400 patients daily. These include the patients and the Orphans and Vulnerable Children. To supplement the kitchens, MaAfrika Tikkun trains the community to grow organic vegetables, which are used to cook meals.

Care of the Elderly
Care of the elderly is important within our projects as often the elderly are neglected. They are playing an increasing role in the care of Orphans as the guardians of these children. HIV/AIDs has also impacted on their lives.

MaAfrika Tikkun community centres
Community Centres, Hospital.

Disaster and Emergency Relief
We provide an emergency and disaster relief service to communities in need of assistance during times of natural/unnatural disasters. We provide food, amenities (clothing, blankets, mattresses, cooking utensils) to those in need of help as an emergency interim temporary measure.

What an incredible organisation!

If anyone wants to do their bit for South Africa, MaAfrika Tikkun is a place where you can get involved in grass root activities which will directly benefit South African’s.

And after the conference today, hearing from South Africa’s future, I feel we ALL have an obligation to give some time to help make sure the future South Africa reaches its potential.

Pick up the phone RIGHT NOW and call MaAfrika Tikkun and get involved in some community work…

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