Mlungisi Zungu

Awesome Destinations is proud to announce further progress in Mlungisi Zungu, an employee currently working in their telesales call centre. Mlungisi is a young man that has come through the I Care system, from street to employment, and is currently being mentored at the company, by M D Costa Pnematicatos. "Mlungisi has shown incredible personal growth and is a champion at overcoming personal obstacles! We congratulate him in his progress. This progress has directly resulted in over 7 million rands worth of sales for the company! Well done! You are a Champion"

From the Chairman’s Desk

I never cease to be amazed by the quality of people that have been drawn into this organisation. At the beginning of April we were privileged to welcome Nevil Carrington to I Care as our new Financial Manager.

We have also employed the services of Kyla Calder, a qualified literacy trainer, to coach the children on the Khuthaza rehabilitation programme. We have found this to be of great benefit as some of the children have never been taught to read or write.

Bronwyn Rowe-Needham, from The Open Door, has volunteered her services as a counselor to focus on their spiritual and psychological needs. Nine of the eleven boys that started on the Khuthaza programme are still on the programme. This represents an 82% success rate and is attributable to the dedicated staff and specialists involved in this programme.

We also welcome Rensche Fitzjohn and Nicola Doulooze on board the I Care Team.

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Carol Van Zyl who has been the coordinator of the I Care homes and the I Care Christian School. She has been such a wonderful role model to our boys and her dedication and commitment will be sorely missed.

East Coast Christian Academy have agreed to allow the boys attending the I Care Christian School to participate in all their sporting activities, which will open up a whole new dimension to their education.

Our golf day on 24 April was a resounding success with over R 60,000 being raised, making it our most successful golf day to date.

Our operation has grown over 100% in the past year, due mainly to the overwhelming and ever growing need to assist children living on the streets. Whilst we are amazed at the continued generosity of our donors, the shortfall in required funds is still significant to support the necessary expansion of required programmes and to maintain our current level of support and training.

It exciting to look ahead to this growth together with your support!
Denise

Awesome Destinations

Over the past three years, of Awesome Destinations has raised over R1 million for I Care through the sale of raffle tickets.
“It was our goal R1 million, but this figure is only a drop in the ocean compared to the present need and the requirements of developing on-going projects” , says director Costa Pnematicatos.

It is only through continued support like this, that I Care can reach out and begin making a lasting difference to the plight of thousands of street children living in South Africa.

Rhythm of the night at the Barnyard

On the 19th June over 400 I Care supporters filled Gateways Barnyard theatre to enjoy the sultry sounds of Latin America with Rhythm of the Night.

The night was a great hit as supporters enjoyed watching ten energetic dancers groove the night away to the well known sounds/beat of Ricky Martin, Shakira, Jay lo and Gloria Estefan.
Tickets sold quickly for the evening and a substantial amount of money was raised for the I Care Campaign. At the beginning of the show I Care gave a short talk to the audience to increase public awareness about overcoming the problem of thousands of Street Children in South Africa.
Thanks Linda for organizing another fantastic I Care event. For those who missed out – watch this space, we are hoping to make it a regular event!

For more information on up-incoming functions, Linda Prudden on 031-3127540 or e-mail lindap@icare.co.za

Bank Details for Donors

Account Name: I Care / LHC Foundation

Bank: Nedbank

Branch: KZN Business

Branch Code: 164826

Account Number: 1648064566

SWIFT: NEDSZAJJ (Ref: for foreign donors)

I Care’s 4th Khuthaza Programme

I Care’s 4th Khuthaza Programme

Staff at the I Care/Umthombo Reception Centre identified eleven boys between the ages of 11 and 14 to begin I Care’s 4th Khuthaza Rehabilitation Programme on the 17th March.

Before the course began the boys accompanied Outreach worker Lucia Shenge to L’Abri Camp, which is a Youth for Christ centre in the beautiful Karkloof nature area.

The boys had a great weekend and left feeling motivated and ready to begin lives afresh.

The boys are now accommodated by Streetwise and have settled well into their Rehabilitation Programme. In addition to their Khutaza Programme they receive daily literacy training and art lessons from Kyla Calder.

Although two boys have absconded, nine are still in attendance and are doing really well. Bronwyn Rowe-Needham from Open Doors counseling at Immanuel, along with a team of others from Immanuel have been visiting the boys every Tuesday to counsel them on an individual basis.

By the time of going to print, the boys will already have graduated from the Khutaza Programme. As such, we look forward to telling you more about the ceremony in our next edition!

I Care House Parents

I Care House Parents have begun the National Association of Child Care Worker’s training. The course is going really well and is encouraging House Parents on how to deal with various personal issues and frustrations the boys may face while living in the home.
I Care volunteer Brie recently organized a team building day for the House Parents. On the day, Mother of Peace volunteer Marieke gave the House Parents hockey training and a hockey match quickly ensued. After lunch an interesting discussion evolved on different situations that could occur at the house and how they as House Parents would and should respond. The day was so successful, Brie plans to organise a House Parent Day every month.
Child Safety Officers from Operation Bobbi Bear recently visited I Care House Parents and boys at I Care Christian School, to share with them an interesting presentation about HIV and Aids.

Housing & Shelter

Every house where love abides
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home sweet home
For there the heart can rest.
Henry Van Dyke

I Care are excited that plans for building three homes in Illovo are well underway. This will help meet our aim to run four Khutaza programmes a year, thereby removing 40 children off the streets each year. Land has been purchased, building plans drawn up and final designs agreed. We shortly look forward to begin construction!

We are currently sourcing fittings for the homes and would appreciate donations of furniture or money. Specific items required are 3 gas stoves, 18 ceiling fans, 3 fridges and 3 solar panel geysers. Please contact Ken Cross or Shirley Van Rensburg at the I Care office on 031 572 6870 or Ken@icare.co.za. We welcome any contribution you are able to make.

How Your Support

Show your support to I Care by swiping your My Village Card every time you shop. Remember it costs nothing to swipe, but the more you do, the greater the percentage of customer transaction is donated to I Care. To apply for a My Village Card call Shirley Van Rensburg on 086 147 0047 or visit http://www.icare.co.za/ , click on the My Village logo and type I Care as your beneficiary.

Administration Support

Grateful thanks to Duncan Hannay from Flocktek cc for screen printing a large number of I Care logos for free. The I Care logos are transferred onto I Care memorabilia such as shirts, T-shirts, umbrella’s and table cloths.

Thanks also to Diana Millard owner of the Ink Drop franchise for offering to refill all I Care ink cartridges for free.

Not forgetting Christ Church Umhlanga who give I Care free office premises. Christ Church are currently expanding and building four new offices for I Care.

This kind support saves I Care a fortune by reducing administration costs and ensuring that more money goes directly to our children.

Adopt-a-child Update

Late last year I Care decided to begin an adopt-a-child programme whereby we appealed to organizations to assist us with the costs of care for children on a per child basis. Nokia Siemens Networks have agreed to adopt 10 children for 1 year and did a cheque handover to I Care for R368 400, being the total costs for the year. Grindrod Management Services have agreed to adopt a further 5 children for a year, they will be paying on a monthly basis. We currently still have two children available for adoption, at a cost of R3, 070 per month. Please contact Shirley Elgin on 084 400 7053 or shirleyelgin@icare.co.za should you be interested in assisting with these children.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Life Guard Training:
On the 27th of May I Care boys went to the beach for a Life Guard Course sponsored by Toti Waterworld. The boys learned the duties of a life guard, first aid and the discipline of getting in shape. Two boys decided they want to become life guards and are really motivated. The boys will be training on the beach with head lifeguard, Jace every Tuesday for the next couple of weeks.

Throughout the week the boys participate in a variety of sports activities at East Coast Christian Academy. They also attend youth on a Friday evening at Grace Baptist

I Care Christian School

The young men that recently completed the Khuthaza Lifestyle Rehabilitation Programme and attending I Care Christian School have requested that they are no longer referred to as Street kids. We therefore decided to run a competition at the school asking each boy to come up with their own slogan for the school. Out of all the suggestions received the following slogan was chosen:

Thanks to the Game City Valentines function for the funding for this re-branding. Through donations from Game City we managed to raise R8, 000 for the school shirts and educational materials. The boys have each been given two t-shirts to wear at schools sports competitions and I Care outings. We are very proud of our boys for coming up with such a beautiful motto and will continue to do our best to provide just that for each one of them. As more funding comes in for the school we are planning to purchase ties and hopefully even produce a school sign.

School Wish List

Filing Cabinets
Atlas
Globe
Large whiteboard on wheels

For more information on donations contact Shirley Van Rensburg at the I Care office on Shirley@icare.co.za or 031 572 6870

1st Birthday Celebration

On 4th June I Care Christian School hosted an open day to celebrate their 1st birthday.
Family members were invited and had a chance to look around the school, observe children’s work and enjoy a wonderful performance of singing and dancing by the boys themselves!
Principle Gill Zinn gave an encouraging speech in which she commended the pupils for their enthusiasm to learn and apply themselves. Great progress is being made thanks to the tireless dedication of our teachers, educational team and volunteers. You are truly doing an amazing job!

Following a beautiful solo of Amazing Grace by Qaphela, Gill asked if any boys would like to come forward and say anything. Four boys stepped thanking I Care and their teachers for the ‘nice job’ they have done in their lives.

Mbuso said: “I Care have given me a future and love. I can see where I am going now. I Care took me out of a dirty place into a clean place. Before I could not share love, now I can”.

Great progress is being made thanks to the tireless dedication of our teachers, education team and volunteers. You are truly going an amazing job!

Bitline Computers

Bitline Computers has offered free training to groups of I Care identified persons for basic computer skills training. Although the first course started in April with five students, only one went on to complete the course. Problems that arose were due to transport, commitment and student pre-selection. Bitline remain undaunted by the fallout and are keen to run more courses in the future.

ABET Computer Centre

Dutch volunteers Jan and Rinus, have worked alongside I Care Coordinator Robert Van Zyl to complete refurbishment works to the Computer Centre at I Care Christian School, Amanzimtoti. The room looks fantastic and is well equipped for use thanks to the kind donation of 20 computers by Be More and an alarm system, benching, swivel chairs and donation of electrics by Mother of Peace.

Jan and Rinus have networked the computers to run ABET and EDUBUNTU software. EDUBUNTU is educational freeware that allows the teaching of many subjects in an interactive environment. The boys at I Care Christian School are excited to use the Computer Centre, start learning some basic IT skills and use EDUBUNTU as part of their curriculum.

Although the centre is near completion we need to purchase a Pentium 4 PC to run as a server. As the specifications are quite stringent this will cost about R8, 000. We are also keen to install air-conditioning units and internet for the centre. For more information on how to support us in this way, e-mail Ken Cross at Ken@icare.co.za.

Thanks to the generous grant of R100,000 by FIETA (Furniture Industries Education and Training Authority) and their sponsorship of 24 ABET positions for I Care through MediaWorks, I Care have employed Renske Fitzjohn as part-time coordinator of basic literacy and computer training courses for I Care House Parents, Mother of Peace Care Workers and other I Care initiatives. We look forward to sharing more about how the courses are going in our next newsletter.

Jan and Rinus have networked the computers to run ABET and EDUBUNTU software. EDUBUNTU is educational freeware that allows the teaching of many subjects in an interactive environment. The boys at I Care Christian School are excited to use the Computer Centre, start learning some basic IT skills and use EDUBUNTU as part of their curriculum.

Although the centre is near completion we need to purchase a Pentium 4 PC to run as a server. As the specifications are quite stringent this will cost about R8, 000. We are also keen to install air-conditioning units and internet for the centre. For more information on how to support us in this way, e-mail Ken Cross at Ken@icare.co.za.
ABET Computer Centre
Dutch volunteers Jan and Rinus, have worked alongside I Care Coordinator Robert Van Zyl to complete refurbishment works to the Computer Centre at I Care Christian School, Amanzimtoti. The room looks fantastic and is well equipped for use thanks to the kind donation of 20 computers by Be More and an alarm system, benching, swivel chairs and donation of electrics by Mother of Peace.

Recent Donations

I CARE would like to thank ALL the people who have kindly donated computers, books, desks, toys, clothes, crockery, linen, food, appliances and beds this year. The recipients of these items are always extremely grateful.

Any further donations can be delivered to 57 Hambridge Avenue (off Somerset Drive) Somerset Park, Umhlanga. At present we are experiencing collection of goods due to lack of transport.

Thanks to those who kindly set up a new debit order and to those who donated sums of money.

Outreach

Clifton Prep & I Care donate School Uniforms in Inanda. On 17th March, I Care accompanied 12 Clifton pupils and their Head Teacher to Amatikwe Junior Primary School, Inanda. I Care had identified that these children are in desperate need of support. Over 580 pupils attend the school at a cost of R60 per year which many families find difficult to pay. The school is extremely basic and lacks the colourful wall displays, furniture and wonderful array of resources and educational equipment that many wealthier children have grown up to enjoy and expect. When pupils from Clifton Prep recently made alterations to their school badges, Shirley Hunter got in touch with I Care to see if we could distribute the uniforms, some old sports equipment and school shoes to a worthy cause. Amatikwe Primary Head Teacher Vela Zula, gave I Care and Clifton a warm welcome on arrival and hosted a special school assembly for his guests to enjoy.

I Care outreach worker, Lucia Shange, gave a motivational talk to Amatikwe pupils, she encouraged them to stay in school, even when times are hard saying:
“Tough times do not last long, but tough people do”.

Following the talk, Amatikwe pupils were each given an Easter Egg kindly donated by pupils from Crawford North Coast Prep.
Zula then gave Clifton pupils and I Care a tour of the school. Zula told us it was his dream to set up a computer classroom.
At the beginning of May I Care started to help Zulu’s dream happen by delivering a number of desks and computers. Thank you for enabling us to make this difference!
Reception Centre News

I Care are delighted to report that the partnership with Umthombo and the Municipality continues to work well as

In 2007 I Care employed two outreach workers and were able to re-unite 65 children with their families. Now with this new partnership I Care’s new figure boasts 106 children reunited with their families and 94 referred to institutions at the end of April 2008!
It is exciting to see how the direction of so many young lives is being turned around!
The Lions Club of Durban North have been collecting four young men from the Reception Centre every Saturday to help clear the grounds at Golden Hours flea market. All the raked leaves are being used to make compost which will be sold at the flea market.
Feedback gave four young men attending the Reception Centre a chance to gain voluntary work experience. The men got on really well and have been sponsored driver’s training by Business Against Crime.
If you or your company are interested in providing work experience for young men or woman between the ages of 18-22 years old, please contact Linda Treadwell at the I Care Office on +27 31 5726870 or e-mail linda@icare.co.za

Figata Food Emporium

For home cooked meals, build-it-yourself sandwiches, breads and confectionary baked daily you’ve got to try Figata (1st floor of the African Palms, opposite Gateway).

From the beginning I Care boys have enjoyed the involvement with Figata, tasting the fine selection of foods from which the chefs would make their final menu selection.

I Care have arranged that Figata donate their surplice fresh foods via the Charity Feedback who deliver to less fortunate children in our society on a daily bases.

The following photo shows some I Care children enjoying some donated cakes during their tea break.

Cafe Partnership

Blueberry Café at the Umhlanga Crescent have agreed to add on an extra item to all their bills whereby patron’s can add on an amount for I Care. Blueberry have also put the I Care logo on all their menus and include an I Care flyer in all their bill folders. Please support I Care by supporting Blueberry Café. Should any other restaurants be interested in supporting us in this way, please contact Shirley Elgin on 084 400 7053 or shirleyelgin@icare.co.za

Car Stickers

I Care Car Stickers are an important aid in our awareness programme. Street kids know exactly what these stickers represent and often acknowledge the driver with a big thumbs up and a smile.

Unfortunately many of these kids don’t want to leave the streets as they make money from passing motorists who are ignorant in their giving. Please help us to spread the word and let’s see if we can get every car in South Africa to display a car sticker for as little as R25 a month.
Grace Family Church have kindly stepped forward to re design and pay for our new look stickers which has been a great and generous help. We are enclosing a new sticker and ask that you display it on the driver’s side of your vehicle.

Posters

Look out for our awareness posters throughout Umhlanga, they are being displayed by the Umhlanga Municipality in partnership with the Community Policing Forum (CPF). These stunning posters were designed by Celia Tabb of The Fusion and printed by MG Print Services.

School Talks

Each month Lucia Shange, I Care’s outreach worker and Paul Harwood, I Care volunteer, visit organisations, church groups and schools to give awareness talks on the dangers of giving money to children living on the streets.

The following picture was taken after a talk by Lucia at Chelsea Drive School. Lucia speaks from personal experience and shares her life story of how she rose from being a street child to where she is today.
Paul gives a small presentation about I Care and explains how the public can make a lasting difference to the plight of thousands of Street Children living in South Africa. If your organisation would like to receive a talk from I Care please e-mail Paul Hardwood paul@rotan.co.za

Annual Golf Day

I Care held their 5th Annual Charity Golf day at the Royal Durban Golf Club on the 24th April, 2008. A full field of players filled the course for a successful day of golfing. On arrival each player received a gift bag which included some I Care tees and a golf shirt proudly sponsored by Unichem.

During prize giving, each player received a fantastic prize with the overall Ken Bain Memorial Trophy being presented to Garth Adendorff and Gerry Nijhuis of PKF on 46 points.

After the prize giving Brain Rodgers, from On-Course Promotions, conducted an auction with some fabulous framed sporting memorabilia.
Monies raised totaled over R60, 000 for I Care’s work in rehabilitating children off the streets of Durban.

I Care would like to thank Linda Pruden from Linton Enterprises for coordinating and arranging the whole event so professionally and with such enthusiasm. Thanks also to Gertie Henderson who sourced the prizes, to Di Saunders for doing such a fabulous job with the décor and to all the other volunteers who gave of their time and effort to make the day such a huge success.

Special thanks to all the Companies who kindly sponsored the holes and to all who generously and willingly donated such a vast array of high quality gifts and prizes.

Volunteer

My name is Brie and I am from Amsterdam. I was in South Africa in November 2007, to work for Mother of Peace and I Care Christian School in Illovo. I really enjoyed my stay and the boys stole my heart. Back home I missed the boys and decided to come back for a year.

It is absolutely wonderful to be here again. At school I teach children who can’t read and it is amazing to see them learn and grow. I see a lot of progress.

On the weekends I also spend time with the boys and they teach me Zulu. My Zulu is improving fast!

It is so nice to see the boys outside of the classroom and really be a part of their lives. I enjoy watching the House Parents interact with the boys. I have a lot of respect for them, they do an amazing job!

Brie has made a tremendous impact in the boys lives in her short time volunteering. For more information on volunteering with I Care, please contact Shirley Van Rensburg on 086 147 0047

Welcome

Nevil Carrington joined the I Care team in April 2008. Nevil is a chartered accountant with financial and marketing experience. He is setting up a detailed financial reporting structure for I Care that will help manage all areas of our organisation. Nevil is also an experienced counselor and has already contributed richly to the team.

Renske Fitzjohn is a qualified ABET (Adult Based Education and Training) facilitator and is responsible for the coordination of ABET basic literacy and computer training courses in Inanda and Illovo. Renske brings much enthusiasm and energy to the Skills Development team. We look forward to witnessing the difference in the lives of those adults she is working with.


Nicola Doulooze takes over from Carol as Childcare Activities Coordinator. Nicola is originally from the UK and brings with her a wealth of experience in dealing with homeless people from the streets of London. Nicola moved to South Africa over two years ago, after marrying her South African husband Mike. Since then, Nicola has been volunteering for various NGO’s and a local Pregnancy Crisis Centre. Nicola says she is looking forward to getting to know all the boys, encouraging them to know there is a God who loves them and has good plans and purposes for their futures.

Farewell

Home Programme Manager Carol Van Zyl left I Care at the end of May to look after her mother who suffers from Alzheimers. “I really loved working for I Care, and will miss the boys”, she said. Carol thanked I Care for the wonderful opportunity of working with the boys. She intends to continue her involvement through regular visits to the boys, House Parents and two families with whom she has secured a close relationship.
PR & Marketing Manager Shirley Elgin left at the end of May to go on maternity leave. We look forward to Shirley returning in September 2008 when she will take up exclusively the Marketing Manager role. We wish her and Sean all the best for the safe arrival of their first child.