Breadline Africa visits Sibongile Day & Night Care Centre in Khayelitsha

I couldn’t contain my joy when I visited Sibongile Day & Night Centre in Khayelitsha.

The Sibongile project has grown from its humble beginnings and it made me feel proud to know that our Breadline Africa containers continue to provide so much happiness, growth and endless opportunities amongst many poor communities.  

Containers donated by Breadline Africa

 

Lunch time at the Sibongile Special Needs Centre

In 2005, Nomasango Xabanisa walked a distance of 30km from Khayelitsha to our offices in Cape Town city centre. She brought with her a letter saying “I’m running a centre for Mentally Challenged Children from my house. I don’t have enough space and there are a lot of parents who want to bring their children to me but I have no space. I don’t want the parents to leave the children alone in the house because some parents lock them up”. I am desperately looking for a container.

Since then Sibongile Day and Night Centre has received three converted containers from Breadline Africa into which the children from Nomasango’s home have moved.  This has given them a good start, a first step towards formal care.

Nomasango Xabanisa’s story is one of inspiration, dedication and perseverance.  A young mother who has learnt that while life isn’t easy, her dream of reaching out to the parents and children in her community could still be met.

Read more about Nomasango and her passion to help children with disabilities

Breadline Africa and our visitors from The Netherlands

Donor visit

“I love South Africa,” Nancy van Bilsen who hails from the Netherlands said during her recent visit to Cape Town. Nancy invited her friends who were visiting for a holiday to join us for a project visit. The visit included a guided tour through the well-known township, Khayelitsha.

Nancy who is a member of our Advisory Committee in the Netherlands said that when she first arrived in the city some years ago she learnt about the vast difference of affluence and poverty in our country. 

She felt that whilst she was enjoying the beauty of the country she could help Breadline Africa by making a contribution to the poverty stricken areas. She has subsequently funded a beautiful container to the Imbasa Educare Centre in Khayelitsha. “It gives me great joy to see how the container is still being used in the community,” she said during her visit.

Nancy’s friends, Bianca and Frank, were asked by the principal to assist with serving the children their lunch. “We were truly inspired by the friendliness of the teachers and the children,” they said.

We then set off to visit Emfundweni Educare Centre, which is in the same area. It was all fun and play as the kids sang lovely nursery rhymes and the national anthem for the visitors.

PRESS RELEASE: Mandela Foundation library opening in Dimbaza

PRESS RELEASE

Mandela Foundation library opening in Dimbaza

On Friday, 30 September, Nobuntu Senior Primary in Dimbaza, will receive a library, thanks to an initiative of the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Breadline Africa, a Cape Town based NGO that supplies converted containers for poverty relief in Southern Africa. Two other schools in the Eastern Cape will be given container libraries in October; these are Qunu Junior School in Nobuntu and Nkwenkwezi Primary in Mvezo.   

“Since the start of the initiative, we have opened 10 container libraries across the country,” Director of Breadline Africa, Tim Smith said. “This will bring a total of 13 libraries that will be placed in impoverished schools all over South Africa.”

The libraries, which cost approximately R120 000 per container to be renovated, provide a lifeline to many struggling communities. “The portable, versatile and securely recycled containers provide instant and vital infrastructure,” Smith said.

At the end of last year, Breadline Africa agreed to assist the Nelson Mandela Foundation by supplying libraries for needy schools in light of Madiba’s birthday. The first library was unveiled on International Mandela Day at Tsakane Primary School in Gauteng.

“Our aim is to break the cycle of poverty, by helping communities to help themselves,” Smith said. “We find sensible, sustainable long-term solutions to problems created by poverty and support projects that make a permanent difference in the lives of people affected by extreme poverty.”

Other organisations, corporates and sponsors participating in the initiative include Soul City, LegalWise, Maskew Miller and Longman, Biblionef, Oxford University Press, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, Cell C and Container World.

ENDS
231
Distributed by Media Spot on behalf of Breadline Africa:
Beverley Houston
beverley@mediaspot.co.za
082 824 8617

Breadline Africa:
Director:  Tim Smith
Project officer: Edna Titus

Opening of the 10th Mandela Day Container Library on Friday 23rd September 2011

Hi everyone

The Tenth Mandela Day container library was opened on the 23^rd September at the Mid-Ennerdale Primary school in Gauteng . The school was chosen because of its close association with the 46664 Bangles campaign.

The celebrations started off with energetic and enthusiastic singing and dancing by the Mid-Ennerdale Primary School kids and teachers of the Soul Buddyz group. The speeches were kicked off by the principal of the school, Mr R.O. Bhikha, who spoke about the “wonder of books” and the “wonder of reading” with the responsibility of the teachers in Mid-Ennerdale Primary School to “encourage eagerness and willingness to read”. He then thanked Soul City, Breadline Africa, Container Conversions, 46664 Bangles, the Marketing Department of Edcon Discount Division and CNA for the library and books.

Mr Christo Claassen, Chief Executive of Edcon Discount Division, explained Edcon staffs involvement in the Mandela Day Project by buying 46664 Bangles to help generate funds towards the Library Container. He also specifically mentioned that the reasons for choosing Mid-Ennerdale Primary School for receiving the Library Container was firstly because two  of his staff members are from the Mid-Ennerdale community and that the community are strong supporters of the Jet brand. Mr Claassen then handed over to Mr Jurgen Schreiber, Group Chief Executive Officer of Edcon, who said a few words about the need to give back by all South Africans. Mr Robert Coutts, Chief Executive Officer of 46664 Bangles, was up next and spoke about the 46664 Bangle Program, Mandela Day and the Library Container Project going forward. The celebrations ended off with a delicious spread of snacks and beverages provided by the Marketing Department of Edcon Discount Division.

The 10th library now delivered, its on to the next container library in Dimbaza in the Eastern Cape,  and helping a new community.  Keep an eye out for this fantastic project that aims to change the lives of children through literacy and facilitation.  Thanks to everyone who participated in installing this particular library.

Mandela Mondays: Our 67 minutes of doing good continues 12/09/11.

We visited The Children’s World Soup Kitchen in Eerste River on the Cape Flats.

“Our BBC container serves as a beacon of hope for our poor impoverished community.  Since the arrival of the container kitchen this project has truly boosted my morale and has broadened my horizons” says Anneline Jacobs who manages the soup kitchen in Eerste River.

Anneline Jacobs managers the BBC container soup kitchen

It is more than a year since they have received this beautiful renovated shipping container. The love and care for their fellowmen has contributed to more than one thousand meals been served. Here they welcome visitors from abroad and locally who want to lend a helping hand.

Volunteer’s serving the community

The name BBC has truly inspired them to become Bold, Brave and Courageous.

BBC Shipping Container from outside

The renovating process of the Container Soup Kitchen

Children of the community awaiting their much needed meal

Children being served a heartwarming meal

The children come to the container on a daily basis and they are sure to get a nourishing meal with a packet of sweets or juice.

The project does not only serve a nutritious meal for the hungry but has a range of activities for young and old.

Breadline Africa focuses on the need of Health Services in the Community

The community of Thabo Mbeki in Crossroads, Cape Town desperately need a Community Health Clinic.

This was brought to our attention when a very concerned group of people contacted Breadline Africa. It was of great concern to them that elderly patients have to travel so far to get their medication as it can take hours to get to the nearest health clinic.  Elderly people also often require specialised health services which necessitates bringing health care closer to the communities.

The need is so urgent that they have turned to us for help.  They felt that Breadline Africa could help them to make a big difference in their community.  Our refurbished container would serve as a beacon of hope for the struggling community.

Having listened to their plea we met with various role players from  the Health Committee, Local Government, the Desmond Tutu Foundation, another NGO Yabonga, Sanco (South African Civic Organistaion), the community and the Local Councillor of the Thabo Mbeki community.

We visited the area where the community wishes to have the container clinic. This is an enormous informal settlement where people are living in the most unpleasant conditions. With no proper roads, water or sanitary facilities it was sad to see how people struggle to get around.

The next step is for the community to get the approval of the site from the local councillor. Once they have the right of way then only can Breadline Africa step in and help them to make a difference.

The Department of Health is indirectly and directly involved in the health needs of the elderly. Elderly patients, including those with chronic illnesses, can access health care at all levels for medication, rehabilitation and other health needs.

Our aim is to help people help themselves.  We will be meeting again soon to discuss the way forward.

http://www.doh.gov.za/list.php?type=Primary%20Health%20Care

Converting Containers helps create a sustainable future for many

Breadline Africa buys second hand wind and water tight shipping containers with donations we receive. We  enthusiastically refurbish them into functional structures that the communities can use as a springboard towards a sustainable future.

It requires an investment of time and money to recycle a container, but the rewards are remarkable. The containers can be recycled into classrooms, health clinics, community centres, soup kitchens, libraries, ablution blocks – which are just some of their many, versatile uses.

Please click on this link to DONATE or click here for more information on How You Can Help Breadline Africa Recycle Containers?

You can support Breadline Africa from anywhere in the world and your gift will help us to provide needy communities with priceless facilities.

Educating our children to read

That joy (of reading) has been mine all my life, and it is one I wish for all South Africans.” – Nelson Mandela. 

Breadline Africa has successful placed eight Container Libraries across the country.

“Most South African schools are lacking in library facilities For many of these schools this will be the first time they will have access to a fully functioning library at their place of learning. “Having a library of our own means so much to our educators and learners. Our learners will have access to information that will equip them with more knowledge and life skills.”

These containers are being transformed into libraries, with the aid of companies and communities who have helped to paint the containers, build fences and playgrounds around them, provide bookshelves and donate books, posters and computers.”

This initiative has awakened the need of many more libraries for many local schools.  Such a need was identified by a group of part-time students who is studying their BBA Degree. (Bachelor Business and Administration).

They have done a study in the areas of Nyanga and Gugulethu and found that the children in the grade from Standard 1 to Standard 5 cannot read properly.  Their understanding of the English language is a real problem and of great concern for these students.  It was noticed that whilst all the children can read many of them do not understand what they are reading. 

Having read the article about the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Breadline Africa that has placed eight libraries across the country.  This initiative has immediately given them the idea that what these communities lack is the need of a library.

They have identified two schools that will benefit from a donation of a computer library.  With such a library at the school they will be able to meet with the children after school.  They are eager and want to engage with these learners on a one to one basis. 

They want to teach the children to read and would like them to value the knowledge that is hidden in these books.   The goal is to let the children understand what they have read and to be able to write a short summary. 

Breadline Africa is proud that our refurbished second hand shipping containers can add such great value.

http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2011/0617_michelle_obama_south_africa_winthrop.aspx

Three more Mandela Day Container library openings happening soon

The first eight Mandela Container Libraries have now been opened with great celebrations during July and August.  We are now asking organisations that teach literacy and reading to become involved with making sure that they are well used.

The next opening will be on the 7^thof  September in Valspan location, Jan Kemp Dorp in the Northern Cape, followed by two in Mvezo and Qunu in the Eastern Cape on the 29^th of September, and another one in Dimbaza on the 30^th of September.   Our staff will be attending these, together with representatives from Soul City and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Watch our Facebook page for live updates on the day of the openings and read our blog posts for the full story.

Our 67 minutes of doing good takes us on a tour to Miracle educare center, Khayelitsha

Khayelitsha (meaning “new home”) is one of Cape Town’s largest townships, and is situated some 30km from the Mother City. It consists of both formal accommodation (houses of bricks and mortar) and informal settlements (makeshift shacks).

These days, things are looking up in Khayelitsha, although poverty and unemployment are still rife. This is a township with its “eyes on the future”.

In 2008 Nanlindelo was very moved to see the children sitting on pavements and running up and down her street. She started to take the children into her home and together with her husband they began to look after the children.

They discovered that many of the kid’s parents are not at home. These children have no one to care for them or to give them a proper meal during the day.

One day they found a little girl on the field that was not well at all and very badly neglected. This  girl was abandoned by her mother. She was then taken care of by Nanlindelo and her husband Phumelo.  After a month the little girl’s mother came back to see how she was doing.  Her mother could not believe how her daughter has blossomed and healed completely.  Her mother fell down on her knees and said, this is a place of “Miracle”.  Nanlindelo and her husband said that she could now take her child home as they are happy that she is alive and well.

From that day more and more children started coming to them.  The two of them decided to call their little home ‘Miracle Educare Centre’.  It is home for many children who are lonely, abandoned, vulnerable and orphaned. It is here where they receive all the individual attention and get a nutritious meal every day. Nanlindelo and her husband have made a commitment to see that no child sits alone in the road or on the open field.  They really live up to the motto that your child is my child. Together they make sure tha the children in their neighbourhood are protected and safe.