Outreach Foundation Newsletter Edition 2

OUTREACH FOUNDATION'S 
NEWSLETTER

SECOND EDITION 2018

hello

there

"'You may not have the ability to change the entire world all at
once, but you have all it takes to change just one life at a time.''

PERFORMING ARTS PROJECTS

SAVE THE DATE – 1st December – our end of year productions!
The integrated primary school and the high school groups are preparing for their end of year
production which they will perform on the 1st December at the Outreach Foundation Hillbrow
Theatre.

The high school production, created in collaboration with the cast, is directed by Phana Dube
and assisted by Gcebile Dlamini and Linda Mhkwanazi. The music is created by Themba
Moyo and Ute Smythe.

The primary school group's theme is 'exploring the environment', facilitated by Sibusiso
Hadebe, Pascar Dube and Quinton Mamabolo. Poems have been written by Pascar Dube, a
Wits Music School student who is working with the music participants as part of his honours
degree. Costumes, musical instruments and props will be created with found materials and
created in collaboration with the Outreach Foundation's Boitumelo Project.

COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

The purpose of this event was to meet with refugees and migrants living in Pretoria so as to
collect information as to the needs and complex issues they experience. Imagine arriving in
South Africa after a harrowing journey where you have lost everything including your home,
your family and your familiar environment only to find that you are in a hostile and
bureaucratic country where support is thin and disruptive. This is what they face, and the
people struggle to adjust.

This sad fact was clear on Saturday in the Church Hall at St Peters Lutheran Church in
Pretoria. People are emotional and in pain. The ravages of war etched on their faces. Their
hands and feet felt the physical journey and their hearts feel the emotional journey where
they struggle to cope with their loss.

Outreach Foundation, LUCSA, Future Families, Sophiatown Counselling Services and the
Centre for Child Law worked together to make this day possible. The meeting started with
words from Rev Morekwa urging communities to offer compassion and to open our minds
and hearts to the plight of everyone. He said it is not for us to select the ways we share our
Christianity.

Faith Chirunda from Future families spoke of the injustices people experience. Of the
hardship and complexity of keeping a family together. Of hearing news from those left
behind. Of the loss of home, the fear and injustices that are experienced daily with language,
transport and integrating cultural differences.

Later that morning, people were divided into various groups where they had an opportunity to
ask questions, find out information they needed and to express their problems and fears. It
certainly felt as if some wounds were opened as many people struggled to contain their
emotions as they shared their issues. By the end of the day, the atmosphere was raw with
emotion and anger which spilt over into challenging conversations and questions. Although
emotionally challenging for all, it was good to hear and listen to the people and to understand
their frustrations.

The main frustration at the end of the day is about the papers. Papers give one a title, name
and a status. As Faith shared in her speech, the issue of migrants and refugees is a complex
global issue as more than 65 million people are on the move worldwide.

It is clear, from this and other meetings, that now more than ever, we need to collectively find
solutions to create a system that is fair and just. We as a human race have always migrated,
it is part of our DNA to search for a better future for our children. But boundaries and laws
have tried to keep us contained. This is not our nature. It is not who we are as a people. We
will keep searching and going on journeys, and that is why we at the Outreach Foundation,
are facilitating conversations for us to listen and to hear those voices that otherwise don't get
heard.

SATURDAY INTEGRATED PROGRAMME

On a Saturday from as early as 08h00 learners wait in anticipation for the yoga teachers to
arrive. They are happy to get up early and to wait on the benches. They always have big
smiles on their faces. Everyone helps to carry the colourful mats in and then they settle
down and start singing ‘Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo’. As the day warms up many more
young people join the group to start the day in harmony. The teenagers use the Church Hall
from 08h30 and the younger children use the Dance Studio from 08h45 for yoga.

Book club happens from 10h00-12h00 every alternate Saturday. Many wonderful
volunteers arrive with fruit and delicious cupcakes for all. The children choose a book to read
and then immerse themselves in the amazing world offered through reading. Even small
siblings insist on getting their own books to 'read'. One young girl is adamant that she can
read the books she takes and does so with a little help from the volunteers.

“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” – Margaret Fuller

On the other Saturdays, young female learners get a chance to go to Skatistan in New
Doornfontein to spend two hours learning how to skateboard under the careful eye of
Vuyo Cekiso. When the taxi with Baba Robert arrives to collect them, the singing and
excitement are tangible. Everyone enjoys this special gender-sensitive opportunity and we
hope that we can give all learners a special outing to Skatistan by the end of the year.

In between all of these activities, we have open market days on the Rooftop with
Sibongile Maxulu Cele and her vegetable garden. Jozi Walks' tour leader, Gerald Garner,
brings new faces to the city and we share time with the visitors on these Saturdays. We get
to tell them about our experiences and our organisation. Boitumelo sells products and fresh
organic eggs. Beautiful beadwork is also on display on these days. The Saturday Market is
growing and we will invite more partners to share homemade, handmade as well as organic
products in the coming year.

Judo activities take place in the small hall with a few teachers, under the guidance of
Roberto Orlando. The female learners, in particular, gain valuable lessons in protection and
self-awareness within the Hillbrow neighbourhood.

In the Church Hall at 12h00, the handful of beautiful voices from the choir practices under
the guidance of choirmaster, Phiwe Makaula, with support from Umculo.

None of these activities could take place without the valuable support from the dedicated
team from the Outreach Foundation. Tsholofelo Pilane is a wonderful leader, juice and
sandwich maker. She sees to it that all the children attend the correct classes including
Music lessons. Thanks go out to her and the young volunteers who make Saturdays an
exciting and eventful day for everyone.

COME JOIN US AS THE OUTREACH
FOUNDATION YOUTH HOST THEIR

ANNUAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
MARCH. THEY WILL JOIN FORCES
WITH ALL THE OTHER OUTREACH
FOUNDATION DEPARTMENTS ON

THE 24TH NOVEMBER 2018

OUTREACH FOUNDATION YOUTH
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MARCH
24 NOVEMBER 2018

Summer Kidsweek is
coming soon:
4-8 Dec 2018