What's Happening...at iThemba | Volume 7

COMMUNITY TIES STRENGTHEN

It has been four years since iThemba has opened its doors and as each day passes the message of hope spreads. An uplifting aspect to note is how the neighbouring communities have embraced iThemba and in turn how iThemba has and will reach the community through training seminars. Through these platforms networks are formed, relationships are built and partnerships secured. The level of what can be achieved is heightened through these partnerships and the way forward becomes clearer.
Pic: Christopher and Brian are pictured relaxing on the iThemba campus.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

As we near the end of 2009 it is a time to reflect on the achievements of the current year and to consider the spectrum of possibilities for 2010.
The year has been event-ful and peppered with plifting moments and I am extremely proud of the iThemba team and what has been achieved through sheer determination and passion.

    In a nutshell, Jacob House has opened its doors, 10 new children have found a place of sanctuary in loving homes, children are benefiting from top education at the iThemba Academy and ties with the community have been strengthened.
    Our relationship with the Embo community will expand through: the Great Relationship Experience, training seminars and iThemba social workers who will concentrate their efforts in the Valley.
    We sincerely thank our investors for their continued support and our American friends who welcomed Leanne throughout her fundraising trip to the US.
    We say a sad farewell to Joseph House parents, Isaac
and Christine Mohlakwana.

The couple were the first iThemba parents to step on the campus in 2006 and through them a historic beginning was created. They
have evolved to honorary grandparents and the close bond they have formed with their children will not dissolve.
We wish them a happy and relaxed retirement.
We in turn welcome new Joseph House parents Rodney and Frances Heathcote and we are confident that the family will grow from strength to strength through their care.
We also bid a fond fare-well to Kimberlee Belsley, from New York, who volunteered her time and taught at the iThemba Academy over the past year. She has made a significant impact at the school and the
pupils have gained immensely

from her innovative ideas, care and love.
South Africa will be in the spotlight next year as we host the Soccer World Cup. We hope it will be an opportunity for new friends and investors to encounter the iThemba message of hope and join our mission to open 10 homes over the next 5 years. This forms part of ‘Phase II’ of the iThemba capital project, which includes plans to expand the school’s facilities and improve the campus. We are united, motivated and encouraged. Thank you for allowing us to bring hope.

Sincerely

Danie van den Heever

Leanne van den Heever (left) and Nadine Wright
pictured receiving the generous donation from
Paddy Collins.

RUNNING FOR
FUTURE GENERATIONS

    iThemba staff and families extend their sincere thanks to Paddy Collins and his team from Highbury Preparatory School for tackling the gruelling 182km Great Maputaland Run to support the non-profit organisation.
    In recent years Paddy has taken to long distance running and has proved invincible. He and his team started the epic run on 23 July and finished an outstanding 24 hours later at the Sizakala Camp at Bhanga Nek. It was however a challenging run and for the last 14 kms, Paddy had to walk through deep, soft sand. Two Kearsney College boys ran a part of the distance as did a group of Highbury boys.
            “The Highbury boys and their parents did an incredible job of raising sponsorship monies; in excess of R80 000 was raised,” said Nadine Wright, Donor Relations Manager at iThemba. “This has been split between four charities, iThemba being one. We are eternally grateful to Mr Collins, Mr Stanley, principal of Highbury, and the Highbury moms who worked extremely hard to organise all aspects of this event. Sponsors need to be assured that all monies donated to iThemba are very well used and stretch a long way to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children. We greatly value the support that Highbury has given iThemba.”

THE GREAT RELATIONSHIP
EXPERIENCE TO UNFOLD AT iTHEMBA

When award-winning authors, radio hosts and marriage conference speakers, Dr Gary and Barbara Rosberg visited iThemba in May as part of the Vision Africa conference they felt compelled to join hands with iThemba and somehow make an impact. The couple are now rolling out their US programme ‘The Great Relationship Experience’ and they therefore chose the iThemba Academy as the first roll-out site internationally.
    The programme targets schools and through the Life Orientation curriculum children will be taught six key values to achieve great relationships namely; Forgiveness, Perseverance, Boundaries, Commitment, Service and Joy. It is hoped that the children will implement these values in their family life, schools and ultimately their community. iThemba is the custodian of this new community programme and from 2010 teachers from three community schools in the Embo Valley will be trained to implement the programme.
    “Our relationship with iThemba has moved forward and I believe this new programme will move and motivate our community. I can see our community change,” said Phumzile Bhengu, Principal of Phoshane Primary School.
    Through the commitment of teachers, parents, the wonderful learning material, videos, posters, t-shirts, bracelets and the energy of the American team we are sure to reap great results.

EBEH TO MAKE AN IMPACT

    Embo is a community of approximately 10 000 people
neighbouring the iThemba campus. Unemployment rates are high and one of the biggest challenges facing the community is access to economic opportunities in the local economy. The Embo Business and Employment Hub (EBEH) is an exciting initiative driven by World Vision Embo ADP to respond to this challenge. EBEH is a concept that integrates personnel recruitment, business linkages, capacity development and careers guidance under one roof.
    iThemba Executive Chairman, Danie van den Heever, has attended project meetings and has been inspired by the project.
    “I am encouraged that there is a strong initiative in place that will make a positive impact. We are in discussions with the EBEH team as to how iThemba can best contribute to assist shaping future leaders in the community,” concluded Danie.

Delegates clap at the end of a session during the SERVE conference hosted at iThemba earlier in the year.

SERVE DELIVERS APT ADVICE

A delegation of top business professionals from Chick-fil-A in the USA facilitated the 2009 SERVE conference at iThemba and imparted knowledge on: shaping the future, engaging with others, reinvention, valuing results and relationships and embodying values. Local business men and women and leaders from the community were empowered by the seminars.
    “I have been able to implement the values into my life,” said Chief Dominic Mkhize, the Embo Valley Chief. “Especially how to be a strong leader, how to meet people’s demands and show patience and tolerance.”
    “We were able to network and make new friends,” shared his wife Thandeka. “The facilitators came to our valley and interacted with the children through games and explained the importance of leadership.”
    “We hope to benefit from more iThemba training in the future to further empower our community,” concluded Dominic.

BURSARIES FOR 20 PUPILS

    An important fundraising goal for the iThemba Academy is to obtain bursaries/scholarships for 20 children from the Embo community to attend the school over 5 years, from 2010 to 2014. The cost per child is R22 320 per year.
    Children will be selected who are: restricted in their current school, able to embrace the opportunity, demonstrate potential and have parents who are willing to invest energy into their education. We challenge supporters to match donations to accelerate the process.
    *Monitor our pencil fundraising charts on our website as the green bars rise towards our goal.

Q&A WITH PROMISE
As one of the first iThemba children, Promise is a familiar face who has achieved a great deal over the past few years. She is an uplifting example of how determination can lead to reaching your goals.

Q: What are some of the goals you have set for yourself?
A: As I am really loving my job at the travel agency my career goal is hopefully to one day be an international consultant and my spiritual goals are to be closer to the Lord and to live a honest and truthful life.
Q: What character traits do you think are important in a future husband/marriage?
A: Honest, loving, loyal, open-minded, responsible, kind, humble, faithful...the list is endless.
Q. What advice can you give the younger children at iThemba?
A: God has blessed them with such an amazing opportunity they must use it to the fullest. They must not dwell in the past but look at the present and focus on the future.
Q: What are you looking forward to?
A: I’m looking forward to a lot of travelling and to all the amazing things God has in store for me.
Q: Can you share with us some values you have learnt over the past couple of years?
A: There is nothing as important as loving yourself and having the Lord as your personal saviour.

NEW SMILE ON
CAMPUS

The Joseph House family are delighted to welcome Ntombenhle or Princess as she prefers to be called to their home.
Princess attends Forest View Primary School where her creativity shines and she excels in drama and dance. She recently participated in a Speech and Drama Festival where she received recognition. She will be turning 13 in December. Princess has a delightful personality and she endears herself to all who meet her.

WE VALUE YOUR SUPPORT
Supporting iThemba can bring much significance to your life when
you realise the tremendous impact of the organisation. Take a step today to join our family and know that you too are part of a movement which brings positive change.
Our friends and donors, both locally and abroad, are most valued and crucial to the longevity and sustainability of the organisation.

Should you feel moved to donate please notify us of any deposits made so that we can issue a tax certificate and acknowledge your generosity. iThemba meets BEE criteria.

Donations can be made by direct deposit into the following accounts:

SOUTH AFRICA:
Name: Focus on iThemba • Bank: Standard Bank • Branch: Durban • Code: 040026
Account number: 050 184 911 • Swift address: SBZAZAJJ
Cheques can be sent to: Focus on iThemba • Private Bag X7039 • Hillcrest • 3650

USA:
Name: Friends of iThemba • Destination account: 2000012696390
Bank: ABA 031201467, Wachovia Bank, 36 South Street, New Providence, NJ 07974
Cheques can be sent to: Friends of iThemba • PO Box 446 • New Providence
• NJ 07974 • USA

CONTACT US:

Tel: +27 31 716 3339
Fax: +27 31 766 1949
info@focusonithemba.org
www.focusonithemba.org
333 Blessing Ninela Road
Hillcrest, 3610, South Africa

Thank you for harnessing the power of hope and making a significant difference in the lives of South Africa’s future leaders.