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Newsletter No.3 - 2007
NOAH MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Noah is about caring for orphaned children's basic needs - like food and shelter. But Noah is also about developing children and we are delighted to tell you about Nokwazi Nzuza, an 18-year-old matric student who has been attending Siyawela Noah for the last 5 years and passed her Grade 12 exams with flying colours. She received 7 As and has been granted a scholarship to study medicine overseas. This is absolutely extraordinary that a child against so many odds has through her absolute hard work, determination and dedication been able to achieve this. We congratulate Nokwazi, but at the same are humbled by such inspiring events. Noah continues to expose such amazing miracles.
Much has happened in the first part of the year at Noah. In March 2007 we welcomed our new CEO Pat Sullivan to the Noah family. We had to say a very sad farewell to Niven Postma, but we know that we have made a lifelong friend in Noah's first CEO. We wish her all the best in her new adventures.
On the 31st of July we hosted a breakfast for our donor partners to share our vision for Noah going forward this year. Our challenge at Noah remains enormous, we now care for over 33 000 children within 112 Arks across KZN and Gauteng and our national roll out is around the corner.
What is exciting to report back is that our model is working; we are making a sustained difference in the lives of our children and success stories of young people impacted are reported back to us daily. We are half way through our financial year and we are half way in reaching our target of R38 million. Thank you to everyone who has supported Noah so far, we would not be anywhere without you. Your financial support, your help in making wish lists come true, your time and your kindness are truly incredible to experience. We have the fortunate job of telling an Ark Manager that we have found a donor partner for their Ark or wrapping blankets around the shoulders of a child who has no way to keep warm and for this we remain extremely grateful. Please continue to support us, encourage your companies to adopt an Ark, we really need your support.
"We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give."
The ways to support Noah are endless, adopt an Ark, help us make wish lists come true, paint the walls, help plant a food garden or impact the children's lives by taking them on an outing. Whatever you do will make a real difference in the lives of children who have so little.
Photos from left to right:
1. Blanket handover at Kliptown Ark with staff from Budget Insurance.
2. Educational toys donated to Actonville Ark by Elliott
3. JSE staff having fun and working hard in the Olivienhoutbosch Ark food garden
4. Impact Day at the Bunny Park with Deloitte Staff.
GREETINGS FROM THE NEW CEO
"It is just after the beginning of November and I am thinking back over what has happened in the last few months which have been my first months as the CEO of Noah. During that time, I have been on a whirlwind tour of some Arks and have met many people, including the amazing teams that run our Arks.
In addition to visiting Arks, I have been working closely with the Ark Builders and office staff. This hard-working team has helped me to find my feet and has shown me the ropes as I try to understand the intensive web of volunteers, support groups and projects that make up Noah. Thanks everyone for being there and working so tirelessly. I can honestly say that this is one of the best teams I have ever had the privilege to work with.
Pat Sullivan, CEO Noah
GOOD NEWS FROM OUR SWANEVILLE ARK
For those who have not heard our Swaneville Ark choir sing, you are truly missing out. The children are often invited to corporate events and were recently invited to sing at the Pricewaterhouse Coopers Women's Day celebration. Alexandra Fotinakis, Senior Manager at PWC, had this to say: "They were absolutely incredible - every time I hear them, I am humbled, awed, inspired and moved. They are so talented. They made our event! Their singing was exceptional and our guests loved every minute of it. I for one, did not want them to stop." More good news from Swaneville is that our Ark Manager, Kabelo Tefo was nominated by his community for the Community Builder of the Year Award. The award is sponsored by Old Mutual, Sowetan and SABC. Kabelo is an amazing man who works tirelessly to support and care for the orphaned and vulnerable children in his community and we are very proud of him.
This is what Kabelo has to say about his choir: "We realised that our girls needed support with girls stuff. Most of the Ark staff and volunteers are male and we did not know how to relate to them and talk to them about these things. The choir has brought these girls together and they are able to support each other in their feminine issues. We encourage their singing and support the choir in every way we know how." With foresight and compassion such as this, it is no wonder that Kabelo is being recognised for his incredible work.
Photos from left to right:
1. Kabelo Tefo, Ark Manager of Swaneville Ark, Sino Xaba Ark Builder and Lorna Marlene, Director Legelela Solutions
2. Swanneville Ark Choir singing at Pricewaterhouse Cooper Women's Day Celebration
BARLOWORLD AND PPC CEMENT – CEMENTING A FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN AT KLIPTOWN!
Noah's cornerstone for success is built with a collective effort from the community, government and business. Its foundation is laid with Corporates who recognise the need to be part of the solution in our children's lives. Barloworld and its partner Company, PPC Cement are examples of this kind of care. They have both been supporters of Noah since the outset of the organisation. PPC Cement have chosen the Kliptown Ark which has recently experienced heart-wrenching challenges. They were evicted from the nursery school they were operating from and were offered an alternative building with far from adequate facilities to care for their 220 children. This solution was only temporary and until very recently they had nowhere to go. We are delighted to report that Kliptown Ark has been given a piece of land in the community and PPC have agreed to buy four containers which will be used as classrooms and a kitchen and have also agreed to contribute to the running costs of the Ark. We look forward to showing you pictures of our new Ark soon. Thank you to Barloworld and PPC!
Photos from left to right
1. Francie Shonhiwa, Corporate Transformation Manager, PPC in our Kliptown Ark
2. Lebogang Motsepe, Project Specialist, PPC having fun with some of the children in Kliptown
3. Francie, Lebogang, Tebogo (Ark Manager) and Kliptown Ark committee members standing on the piece of land where the new Ark will be established.
FINLAY TAKES OUR YEOVILLE ARK CHILDREN TO THE ZOO
Photos from left to right
1. Lynette and her team with the Yeoville Ark children having fun at the zoo
This winter may have been freezing but Lynette Finlay and her staff warmed the hearts of all the children from our Yeoville Ark. They spent a fun-filled afternoon at the zoo and each child was treated to a goodie bag, lunch and a present to take home. Definitely a day they will never forget.
HAY HOUSE “GIRLS” ARE TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE
Not only does Hay House donate 100% of their profits to Noah every year, they truly have hearts to make a difference. Our Muldersrdrift Ark experienced some trouble with their plumbing and the Hay House team have stopped at nothing to sort out the problem for them. They arranged for a plumber to replace the septic tank and paid for volunteers to help. We know they don't like to tell people what they do but we are just so grateful for our friendship and their kindness that we couldn't help ourselves. Thank you so much to all at Hay House!
Muldersdrift Ark children in their playground
SIYAWELA’S SUPER STARS!!
Along with Nokwazi Nzuza, our 18-year-old super star, we have another special person from Siyawela Ark, Faith Mthethwa, the Ark Manager. Faith has exhibited great leadership at her Ark and 726 children are being reached by her efforts. She is doing an amazing job at leading her own community, and her vegetable gardens are so fantastic that she has been mentoring other Ark Managers in order to get their gardens to the same incredible standard.
DEUTSCHE BANK’S VAULT OF KINDNESS
Deutsche Bank remains one of our biggest and most generous partners. On the 27th of September we were invited to exhibit Noah to all the Deutsche Bank staff, along with the other charities they support. The afternoon was a wonderful success. Not only did we get a chance to meet other amazing organisations, but also had the opportunity to present Noah. We left feeling encouraged by all the good work currently happening in South Africa and we were filled with gratitude for a company committed to making a difference. Thank you to Deutsche Bank for your foresight in bringing us all together.
VERBATIM POEM WRITTEN BY A 15-YEAR-OLD CHILD ATTENDING OUR IVORY PARK 2 ARK
"Oh sweet home Noah
Our home without parents
They teach us how to survive
How to live without parents
Oh sweet home my sweet home Noah
They don't criticise us
They treat us as equally
They let us have that happy time
Our home as orphans we sometimes
Feel lonely when we are in our homes
But when we arrive at Noah
We feel like we are born again without parents
When we enter we just show smiles in our faces
And enjoy to be in that home when it
Is time to go home we feel like staying
Together for ever as orphans when days
Are dark we think of our Noah
May our care givers accept us as orphans
And give us special care and love that we deserve"
A DINING HALL FOR MADADENI NOAH ARK IN VRYHEID ARK
Air Product and Mahlebo Property Group have come together to build a brand new dining hall for the children of Madadeni Noah in Newcastle. This exciting development will not only result in a resource for Noah but also provides skills in the community as local people and family of our volunteers at Madadeni have been hired to construct the building. Air Product has commissioned the architect and builders and is supervising the project which is aiming to be complete by end of November 2007. Watch this space for photos of the completed project
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES NEED YOUR HELP
16 of our Arks in Gauteng and 8 of our Arks in KZN are running the Ntataise ECD programme. The purpose of the programme is to help arks to plan a more stimulating learning programme for young children within the context of the national curriculum framework. Themes such as five senses, clothing, transport, my family etc. is used as a planning tool to allow for the integration of learning. The arks make their own resources to assist them in achieving the outcomes and have asked us to collect the following for them:
Old Magazines Children's story books
Educational toys
Yoghurt cartons
Egg holders
Margarine and ice cream containers
Any type of box
Newspaper
Toilet rolls (without paper)
Wool
Straws
2L empty Bottles
Any containers
Why not start a drive in your office today, not only will you will be helping with our need to recycle but also help us to teach our children.
GAUTENG OFFICE TEAMBUILDING
In September the Gauteng Office went to St Mary's School in Waverley to learn to play the marimbas and an important lesson was learnt by all. One instrument played alone is not nearly as effective as 10 instruments played in unison. A beautiful sound comes from a team working together and having fun!
YOUR BABY SHOW
The Your Baby Show in Durban held over the weekend of 1 September was a fantastic success and increased the local profile of Noah and highlighted the incredible work our volunteers and staff do. Not only was Noah featured as the charity of choice but children from Ethembeni Noah performed as curtain raisers to Barney performing 11 shows over the weekend to a packed auditorium. They performed with "Jog the Frog" of Clamber Club fame. Clamber Club the gross motor development programme for young children is now a daily feature of activities in all the Gauteng Arks and we have recently started the KZN role out. This programme is fundamental to the development of our children.
VIVE LA FRANCE
The past year's hard work has yielded some exciting accomplishments for our Research Department. Noah was accepted to present a paper at the AIDS Impact Conference in Marseilles, France, this July. The conference looked at how HIV AIDS has impacted on the lives of everyone all over the world. There is not a country in the world where the disease has not made its mark. However, the chilling fact is that South Africa is one of the worst affected countries and as such we are facing a big challenge to overcome the problems that are associated with HIV AIDS. There were discussions on new medical advances in combating the disease, including the importance of male circumcision as a way of stopping the spread of the disease, Also, the issue of orphans and how to support them was centre stage, as was social aspects of the disease and how it impacts on individuals. The paper that Noah presented focused on ways to deliver psychosocial support to children during home visits, through an innovative method that involves drawing and story-telling with children. For the past year, together with another NGO, Woz'obono, Noah has piloted the programme in 4 Arks with excellent results, not only in the support and counselling of children but also in helping volunteers to feel appreciated and fulfilled.
Both Pat and Noah's Research Manager, Juliana Thornton, attended the conference where Juliana presented the paper. Says Juliana: "It was a rich and rewarding experience and I came back motivated and energised to forge ahead in the field of OVC research and policy development. I would like to thank the Rockefeller Brothers' Fund for making my trip possible by sponsoring me to attend."
It is Noah's aim going forward to continue to develop and research new programmes that will further complement the Noah model and support our Arks in their effort to provide holistic care to their OVCs.
