Christmas Day Lunch

5 WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

  1. Make a cash donation towards the Christmas meal and hygiene items for the families.
  2. Donate these food items:
    – 2L Cooldrinks
    – Cupcakes
    – Biscuits/treats
  3. Help serve the Christmas Lunch and interact with the community.
    Date: 25th Dec.
    Time: 12pm – 1.30pm
    Place: Garnet Road, Landsdowne (Behind Osman’s)
  4. Donate additional items for the community.
    We welcome any additional items such as tinned/packaged food, clothing, blankets, hygiene products etc for the families.
    Please drop off at the AOL Claremont Centre by 20th Dec.
  5. Entertainment for Lunch.
    We are looking for any musicians, singers and a Father Christmas!For more info:
    Viveka – 084 800 3311. viveka.vassen@gmail.com
    Rucita – 072 236 6192. rucita.v@gmail.comLet’s make this an extra-special Christmas by serving others!
Read more

Mandela Day Aquarium Outing

Your generous donations will go towards:

  • 40 learners (aged 8-16) + staff members to visit the Aquarium
  • 40 learners (aged 3-8) to experience the Aquarium’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) Mobile Puppet Show
  • 80 gift bags consisting of school stationery, an educational book, winter warmers and a meal

By now you’ll know my birthday drill
Celebrating it with a Mandela Day fundraiser is the ultimate thrill
As this will be the 5th fundraising year
The kids of James House are in store for something spectacular
Instead of spending cash money on me
Your donations will take the kids on an adventure under the sea
To learn about starfish, penguins and sea urchins
And how to protect our turtles, kelp forests and oceans
In addition to this marine conservation lesson
The kids will also be gifted something special
School stationery, educational books, winter warmers and a meal
It’s the perfect upsized combo deal!
The most empowering gift we can give young kids is education
And helping the less fortunate is always the winning equation
So please dive in and EFT towards this crowdfunding
And sponsor a child for a fun and educational Aquarium outing!
– Love Rucita

For more info contact Rucita Vassen
rucita.v@gmail.com
072 236 6192
Facebook Event:

Read more

International Day of Yoga 2019 #vuka4yoga

The International Day of Yoga (IDY) 21st June, is a day declared by the United Nations and supported by 177 nations world-wide. 2019 will be the 5th year of celebrations. We have celebrated the last three events in the heart of Soweto with 2018 being supported by approximately 2000+ people from all age groups. Our vision for 2019 is to have a greater impact on youth. We have secured a partnership with the University of Johannesburg Soweto Campus. Having acknowledged the invaluable impact that yoga and a more mindful lifestyle will have on these young adults, the university has offered to host our annual event this year. This is a free event which will require online registration prior to arrival at the venue.

Note: The event is limited to 5000 individuals. Only participants that have registered will be allowed into the stadium. Additional details will be shared post-registration.

Date: 22nd June 2019 (Saturday)
Time: 08h30 for 09h00 – 12h00
Venue: UJ Soweto Campus Stadium, Chris Hani Road, Soweto, Johannesburg
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iG34uSa7MdSR9NVJA

Visit our event page for more: https://za.iahv.org/event/international-day-of-yoga-2019/ or book directly via: https://soweto_yoga_day.eventbrite.com/

 

Read more

SUPER 18 – support Jonty’s recovery

January 2019
To all the volunteers at The Obs Pasta Kitchen,

You have given me hope again. Hope for the future and stability in the present.

As you might know a short while ago I was a homeless substance abuser, whose life had imploded in so many ways. I found myself living on the streets of Obs for nearly 8 years. I was hopelessly addicted to heroin and used this drug for 20+ years. Whilst living in Obs I was introduced to the team at the Obs Pasta Kitchen, and for 2 years ate a warm plate of pasta every Wednesday.

At the Obs Pasta Kitchen I was treated with respect and loved in so many ways and by so many people. I chatted, made friends, shared stories and for the first time in a long time I didn’t feel judged, stigmatised or abused. I started to feel a gentle tug at the humanity buried so deep in my heart.

Thankfully I was selected to attend a primary treatment facility, where I still am today.

I am nearly 3 months clean and sober and I am embracing life for the first time in many years.Treatment doesn’t come cheap and I thank all of you who have contributed or donated in whatever way.

You have given me back dignity.

April 2019
My future looks bright, thanks to The Life Changer Programme of which I am a recipient.

Today, I have a home, direction and purpose. My journey began some time ago when as a helpless, homeless addict I started to attend Obs Pasta Kitchen.

Kimon, Dani and all the selfless volunteers opened their hearts and minds to helping others. The kindness, compassion and empathy that they reflected towards me would become the catalyst and driving force in me accepting that if I wanted life I had to change.

Change is difficult for most of us, we struggle, we kick and scream placing unrealistic expectations on ourselves and others. My story is not that important and I choose not to focus on the negative in my past. I choose to live in the present, which empowers me in so many ways.

Studying never felt like a viable option for me but with the help of Obs Pasta Kitchen, I look forward to the challenge of part time studies beginning July 2019.

Currently, I have started a sustainable urban garden project, which through hard work will become a viable small business undertaking.

Selfless service is something small that I endeavor to do in my life. To this end I dedicate time volunteering with a NPO called The Entwined Roots Trust working with the destitute, homeless and addicted communities in the greater Brooklyn area of Cape Town.

The critical work that Obs Pasta Kitchen do is vital when you consider the lack of social interventions available to communities in need. I implore you to search your heart and consider donating in whatever capacity you can.

Let’s work together and change our communities, and change a nation in
the process.

Yours in Pasta,
Jonty

To pledge to join the SUPER 18 to support Jonty, please donate directly via the ‘Donate’ button – either R1500 once off OR R250 once a month for the next 6 months.

Thank you in advance for warming our hearts and helping to change our community.

ObsPastaKitchen

Read more

Mozambique/Zimbabwe/Malawi Cyclone relief fund

The International Association for Human Values (IAHV), sister organisation of The Art of Living Foundation, invites you to contribute towards the Mozambique/Zimbabwe/Malawi Cyclone relief fund.

Thanks for your generosity

Read more

Health & Hygiene Program

More volunteers within Africa need to be trained to become menstrual health and hygiene champions, which can be done through online training from trainers in India.

The next step is to develop a pilot entrepreneurship model for rural women to provide access to socially impactful products and services like sake menstrual care and wellness products by leveraging the pain-Africa network of inspired community trainers by the Health & Hygiene Workshop.

Read more

Breath Water Sound program for prison parolees & families

This BWS is then linked to the Pads Project with Anita Hanekom from DCS Groenpunt – parolees having done our BWS program will be taught to sew the pads and this will create employment for them and a way of them being reintegrated into the community as a contributing citizen.

We do need help to reach out to as many key donors as possible.

Any cash donations as we have to pay for transport for all 150 participants (estimated at R7000).

  • 150 Pens
  • 150 Small notebooks
  • 150 Water bottles

Anything else… fruit / sweets / chocs /etc. for the final day.

This program will be ongoing throughout the year.

 

 

 

 

Read more

A House for Brian – An Obs Pasta Kitchen Initiative

We have a good plan, inspired volunteers and have salvaged much of the building materials but we need your help to put it all together. Please donate in making Brian’s House a success!

Read more

Christmas Day Lunch for the Homeless

5 WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

  1. Make a cash donation towards the Christmas meal.
    Any surplus cash will be used to purchase hygiene items for the families.
  2. Donate these food items:
    – 2L Cooldrink
    – Cupcakes
    – Biscuits/treats
  3. Help serve the Christmas Lunch and interact with the community.
    Date: 25th Dec.
    Time: 12pm – 1.30pm
    Place: Garnet Road, Landsdowne (Behind Osman’s)
  4. Entertainment for the Lunch
    We are looking for any musicians, singers and a Father Christmas!
  5. Donate additional items for the community.
    We welcome any additional items such as tinned/packaged food, clothing, blankets, hygiene products etc for the families.
    Please drop off at the AOL Claremont Centre by 20th Dec.

For more info:
Rucita – 072 236 6192
Viveka – 084 800 3311

Let’s make this an extra-special Christmas by serving others!

Read more

Mercy for Our Children

The official launch of the guidebook is 21 November 2018 at Foxwood House in Houghton, Johannesburg.

Confirmed speakers covering relevant and current topics are:

  1. Gavin Huber from International Association For Human Values (IAHV)
  2. Dr. Shaheda Omar from Teddy Bear Foundation
  3. Rees Mann from South African Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse (SAMSOSA)
  4. Luke Lamprecht from Women and Men against Child Abuse (WMACA)
  5. Gigi White from Get Up Woman
  6. Mara Glennie from Tears Foundation
  7. Jennifer Jones, Ambassador for LifeLine Vaal
  8. Celeste Louw from Optimystic Bikers Against Abuse

We would be extremely grateful for any support the media can give this project as we embark on getting the funding required to get these guidebooks to be made freely available to those who need it across the whole of South Africa, creating a mass awareness of the processes of child sexual abuse cases in hope to reduce as much tertiary trauma as possible for those involved.

Our President has also conveyed his best wishes for a successful launch.

Timing the launch the day after World Children’s Day and to honour the upcoming 16 Days of Activism Campaign.

The initiative commences with a fundraiser breakfast on 21 November 2018 to raise money for the publication of the book, as well as to establish a means to promote this initiative to affected persons and relevant organisations. At this point we are looking for donations to help cover the cost of the fundraiser breakfast plus donations of any items to be raffled during the breakfast.

We are reaching out to like-minded people and their corporate connections for any support that you might be able to offer towards the creating a successful business breakfast to launch this fundamentally important social initiative. A S18A tax certificate can be issued for any donations over R1000.

Sponsorship packages listed below.

  • Main Sponsor R15 000
  • 2 x Pull-Up Banners (OR funding for these R1,600)
  • 1 x Banner Wall (OR funding for this R3,600)
  • Delegate Bag Sponsor – (OR funding for these R2,200)
  • Delegate Notebook and pen – (OR funding for these R1,500)

Kindly note that the International Association for Human Values is a Public Benefit Organisation in terms of Section 18 (A) (1) (a) of the Income Tax Act. S18A tax certificates will be issued on request for any donations in excess of R1000; thereby making qualifying donations tax deductible in the hands of the donor.

Our sponsors to date:

  • Foxwood House (Venue)
  • 314 Company (Delegate Badges)
  • Couch from Hycraft Décor valued at R3500 for Auction Fundraiser
  • Original oil painting by artist Wakhaba Muteki valued at R7000 donated by Daville Baillie Gallery for

Auction Fundraiser
Aromatherapy Massage from Utopia Massage and Beauty valued at R500 for Auction Fundraiser

This guidebook sheds light, knowledge and truth on the process of sexual child abuse cases.

Lack of wisdom and an over emotional reaction leads to closed doors. Through the knowledge that the Author has acquired she leads you through the maze of red tape one finds themselves tied up in. Through years of experience and research, this book has been compiled to guide you out of the maze one finds themselves in during these cases. This informative guide book serves to protect you and your child/ren.

The light this guidebook shines is to serve in creating more awareness on this dark topic of reality, from recognising sexual child abuse, to reporting cases, to the legal processes, to forgiveness and to the healing journey.

A note from our venue sponsor, Foxwood House and Theatre:

Foxwood House and Theatre has been creating greater awareness of sexual abuse of children through Jan Groenewald’s play Die Pruimboom, which has been staged at the Edinburg arts festival as Plum Tree.

We are hosting the launch of a book to give parents’ of children – and sadly sometimes children who have been abused – practical advice and guidance how to cope.

The publishers are planning to distribute the book as a free guide to hospitals, police stations, clinics and townships all over South Africa.

If you would like to know more, please contact the author, Samantha Jo, who has had to walk to corridors of the legal system and has compiled the book based on her own research, aimed at parents and their children.

Read more