Amastreetkid, The I CARE Blog, about "giving street kids a future"

Johannesburg's Produce Sale

2012-01-10T10:55:00.006+02:00

The contribution the staff of SABC 3 chose to celebrate Nelson Mandela's 93rd birthday on 18 July 2011 was to visit our Brixton Premises to meet the boys and to plant a vegetable garden. Several of their staff members arrived at the Mbalethu Centre, chatted with the boys and then proceeded to 'muck in' with gardening tools, turning the soil and demarcating beds using surplus bricks. Others painted murals on the centre's inside walls, one of which portayed Mr. Mandela himself. (See 93 Years Young - 19 July 2011.)
Several varieties of vegetables were planted and everyone waited for the harvest. Under the care of the street children, supervised by I Care staff, the vegetables flourished to the extent that they are not only providing nutritious home-grown produce for the boys but we have an over-abundance that we can sell to help fund other operational expenses.
Our thanks again to SABC3 staff - your kindness in 2011 will continue through 2012 and beyond and we are all grateful.
Pictured are Cameron Shabangu, a student at George Whitefield College and Maydie Heath, a donor and volunteer helper at the centre.

Awareness - Umhlanga

2011-12-19T11:04:00.003+02:00

Members of the I Care Awareness team - Darren, Nevil, Lucia and Donation ready to 'spread the word' in Umhlanga, KZN.

Christmas Boxes

2011-12-14T13:34:00.004+02:00

This is a picture of just a few of the many Christmas boxes which were filled with goodies, wrapped, decorated and given to our boys by the scholars from Westville Boys High, Our Lady of Fatima Domincan Convent, Crawford North Coast Pre-Primary and Durban Girls College.
Each year these schools ask their young students to donate gifts and their time. Their generosity gives a lot of pleasure and we at I Care thank them and wish them all a wonderful Christmas and splendid 2012.

Shoe donation from Hirsch

2011-11-15T11:18:00.003+02:00

In support of 'Flip Flop Friday' on October 7 Hirsch Superstore and Head Office in Durban set out to collect and donate shoes to I Care. They collected 70 pairs of shoes and gave them to the children at our Hope Centre the day before - October 6.
"This is ths biggest donation of shoes we have ever receieved since we opened our doors in 2002 and on behalf of the staff and children at I Care we would like to express our grateful thanks to the employees of Hirsch in Springfield Park for supporting our cause", stated Jenni-Lyn van Niekerk, our National Marketing Manager.
Pictured above are a few of the boys with staff members Lucia (left) and Jabu (right) with Hirsch's Johan Schroeder in the middle.

TBSA Soccer Team

2011-11-11T12:19:00.010+02:00

On Sunday 6 November TBSA soccer team visited the I Care Rehabilitation Centre (Kwamakhutha) to hand over a computer and soccer world cup memorabilia. They gathered the boys together and shared words of encouragement which was much appreciated.

Afterwards a friendly soccer game was arranged with the soccer team and the I Care boys. Great fun!

Currently the Centre has 18 boys who will be in the programme for three months, after which they will graduate and either return to their families or move into one of the I Care houses. The gifts were received by Nelson and Mzo from the Rehabilitation Centre.

Journey's end for intrepid cyclists

2011-09-29T11:44:00.004+02:00

Here is a photograph of the five cyclists who journeyed - by bike - from Johannesburg to Durban to raise funds for I Care's children. Their target was R10,000.00 and they doubled this amount! Pictured, from left to right, Darren Gray, Bradley Atkinson, Paul Hellberg. Jayne Broderick and Mike Howell. Particular mention must be made of Mike for putting the event in motion and to the Wesley Methodist Church in Pietermaritzburg for all their support.

I Care is extremely grateful to the team and congratulates them on their generosity and their strength. The picture shows them at the end of their trip yet they look as fresh as they did before they started their epic journey.

Permaculture for I Care

2011-09-16T14:38:00.002+02:00

Rotarian Michel Boulle invited fellow Rotarians and I Care's Nevil Carrington to visit Durban's Botanic Gardens in August to see the permaculture food garden project and have the system explained to them.
Nevil told Michel that I Care liked the idea and were very keen to go ahead.
Pictured above are, from left, Dave Prese - President - Umhlanga Rotary, Nevil Carrington - CEO - I Care, Greg and Jacqui Daniel - Rotarians and Jabulani from Botanic Gardens. Another un-named gardener is at the rear of the picture.
We will keep you informed as to how things progress in the I Care gardens.

South African Flag

2011-09-06T12:49:00.004+02:00

The children from Addington Primary School and the world's top chefs at the Bidvest/Unilever function on August 27 form the national flag during their dance routine.

Cycle Tour

2011-09-06T11:37:00.018+02:00

Mike Howell who is a strong supporter of I Care's work with street children, and a group of cycling friends plan to ride from Johannesburg to Durban to raise funds.The group will travel to Johannesburg on Friday, September 23, visit our branch in Brixton the following day and then start the actual ride on Monday, September 25.

The first night's stopover will be in Reitz, the second night in Winterton and then on to Pietermaritzburg - 170 km away.

Thereafter they will travel the final lap into Durban, finishing at the I Care branch in Greyville.

Please show your support for these gallant travellers and for I Care by donating via
Back-a-Buddy and help to give a child a better chance in life.

http://www.backabuddy.co.za.event/profile/cycle-tour-with-mike-howell.

The Bidvest Unilever World Chefs Tour

2011-09-05T13:36:00.005+02:00

On Saturday, 27 August, top chefs from all over the world walked from Moses Mabhida Stadium to Addington Primary School where they were met by 700 children who had learned a special dance for them. The chefs joined in the dancing and then gave the children lunch and handed out food hampers. I Care and Just Us for Children had been invited by Bidvest and Unilever to take part in the festivities and we thank them for their support. The children had a wonderful day - as did the chefs apparently.

Shaun Tomson

2011-09-05T12:44:00.007+02:00

Shaun Tomson, international surfing icon, launched his book, 'Surfers' Code' on Wednesday, 3 August at the Sandton Sun. Although 650 tickets were sold, staff at the convention centre were adding extra chairs even before the start of proceedings.
Attending the event were Jenni-Lyn van Niekerk and Anne Slatter from Durban, Todd Khupe and Jonathan Moonien from our Johannesburg branch and other invited guests.
Shaun chose two charities as beneficiaries - I Care and Cotlands. Prior to the event Shaun spent a day with the I Care boys at the rehabilitation centre, took them to the beach, chatted to them all and promised each youngster a copy of his book. Needless to say they were thrilled.

Running for I Care

2011-09-02T11:04:00.006+02:00

This is 14 year old Caitlin O'Neill who has just completed a 5 mile run to raise money for I Care.
She lives in London with her parents who were both born in South Africa. They still have relatives and friends here and visit regularly.
On a recent visit Caitlin read about street children and their plight and determined to do something about it when she returned home to U.K so she decided to 'run for charity' and made over R1,000.00 for I Care. She wants to continue running in order to give these disadvantaged youngsters a better future.

Thank you Caitlin and good luck with your running!

Stephan

2011-08-08T11:13:00.003+02:00

Stephan Lukow, a volunteer from Germany, left us last week after spending almost twelve months assisting I Care in every possible way. He helped with the boys' education, their extra curricular activities including sports. He assisted our office staff with computer problems and helped in the programming of a new data base system. He even took his turn as a driver when necessary. Whatever he did he did with a smile and became one of our most popular volunteers.
The photograph shows Stephan with the gifts he will take back to Germany, along with I Care's good wishes for his future and a request to return soon.

Wits University Students

2011-08-04T14:38:00.003+02:00

Last week several Wits University Campus Outreach students came to our Johannesburg Centre to help our I Care boys in every possible way they could. They did a splendid job and as you can see from the happy smiling faces they made friends with the youngsters who now look forward to their next visit. We at I Care add our thanks to those of the boys for a job well done.

Blankets in lieu.

2011-08-02T13:43:00.003+02:00

This very kind lady, who prefers to remain anonymous but gives to I Care on a monthly basis, requested blankets for the underpriviledged in lieu of birthday presents for her sixtieth birthday this year.

The result of her generosity is seen here with some of the happy recipients at I Care.

We are all very grateful to her for helping the boys to keep warm this winter.

Johannesburg Golf Day

2011-07-28T12:46:00.013+02:00

We held our inaugural Johannesburg Golf Day at the Bryanston Country Club on July 22 and were blessed with a most beautiful day.

The event was well supported by local golfers with twenty four Fourballs entered and wonderful prizes donated by local companies.

Funds raised will be used for the programmes we are running at our newly acquired 'drop-in' centre in Melville to help change the lives of street children.

Receiving their trophy from Peter Bain (second from left) are Brandon Weir-Smith, Ross Wellington, Sean Press and Paul Talidoros with I Care's Nevil Carrington on the far right of the picture.

Jeffares & Green

2011-07-28T11:36:00.004+02:00

Six boys from our I Care school went on an outing with Jeffares & Green to the Kwambonambi Interchange. The visit was to show the boys what happens on a building site and to show them the many job opportunities available.
The boys had travelled for over two hours on the Jeffares & Green bus in pouring rain and spent a chilly day touring the site wearing their hardhats but all said they enjoyed their visit and found everything very interesting.
We would like to thank the following personnel responsible for this outing on behalf of the boys.
Dave Johnson who is the Director in charge of the Kwambonambi Interchange, Philip Wyatt - resident engineer, Odette Magnus - PA who took care of all the details, Sandile Nkomonde - environmental scientist from the Durban office, Christiaan who arranged the lunch and Neliso and Mdu who toured with the boys and answered their many questions. Lastly our thanks go to Charmagne Denny who arranged this outing.

Feeding the little ones

2011-07-19T13:37:00.003+02:00

On Monday July 18, Nelson's Mandela's 93rd birthday, I Care and Foodbank along with volunteers from Execuline and Virgin Active Gateway met up at Bambisandle Primary in Kwa Mashu. The school is home to 700 children, 70% of whom live with HIV. The school is in an extremely poor area and the food prepared was possibly their only cooked meal in a week!
I Care and Foodbank supplied curry, rice and vegetables as well as a hamper for each child to take home. Virgin Active and Execuline donated juice for the children and spent a lot more than their suggested 67 minutes with us.
It was heartwarming to see the many grateful faces but also heartbreaking to know that they don't enjoy food regularly.
Well done to Lucia from I Care and Ntomby from Foodbank for championing the whole event.

93 years young

2011-07-19T12:01:00.014+02:00

This is a photograph of the Mandela mural which was donated to I Care by a group of volunteers from SABC 3. The mural was painted by Tawanda Mhandu who travelled from Polokwane and was assisted by Nancy Ginindza and Joel Karabo Elliott. Ismael sang for the boys and several SABC staff members added their support. They also prepared and planted a vegetable garden which the boys have promised to maintain. All this was part of their 67 hours helping people less fortunate than themselves to celebrate Nelson Mandela's 93rd birthday. I Care would like to pay tribute to all the members of SABC 3 who took time out of their incredibly busy days to help the boys.
I Care - boys and staff - thank them all for their kind gesture.

Golf Day Johannesburg

2011-07-07T13:38:00.005+02:00

Here are some of the prizes that were 'up for grabs' at our Golf Day in Durban in May this year. We are hosting a second Golf Day - this one at the Bryanston Country Club on July 22 and we invite companies in and around Johannesburg to enter a team. R1,800.00 for a four-ball, which includes a round of golf, dinner and a prize-giving ceremony, is not a great deal of money and it is for such a good cause - a better life for a young street child. If you are unable to enter a team how about adding to our prize list or perhaps sponsoring a hole for R1,000.00. For more information call care-line 086 470047 or send an e-mail to info@icare.co.za.

Primedia - Ethekwini

2011-06-30T12:01:00.003+02:00

Primedia, national provider of outdoor media, marketing and sales in South Africa, was tasked with handling the sourcing of a non-profit organisation in KZN to whom Ethekwini would donate R20,000.
I Care was selected as the beneficiary and received school uniforms, food items and toiletries to that value.
Counsellor Dlamini represented the city and Thulani, Seshnee and Michaleen represented Primedia.
Jenni-Lyn, I Care represntative, spoke briefly about I Care and thanked both parties for the generous donation. Lucia is seen here accepting a few of the gifts from Counsellor Dlamini who spoke of the city's gratitude to I Care for the work that we do to help street children. He also emphasized the fact that these children are often misunderstood and are frequently the product of sad circumstances. He stressed that the city and I Care should continue working together to make a difference in our Province.
I Care takes this opportunity to thank Primedia for choosing I Care and the city for their generous donation.

Durban Preparatory High School

2011-06-21T14:14:00.007+02:00

On Tuesday 21 June I Care was invited to meet the Grade 4's of Durban Preparatory High School who had decided to collect cans of food for the I Care children. Jenni-Lyn talked to the boys about street children and they showed a keen interest, asking a number of questions about the boys in our care and their lives on the street.

We are very grateful to DPHS Grade 4's for showing such initiative and team work and we thank them, their parents and teachers for thinking of us.

New Boys June 2011

2011-06-13T14:30:00.004+02:00

Sixteen boys, seven from Durban and nine from Johannesburg entered Umuzi for their three month rehabilitation course - Khuthaza - on 13 June 2011. They expressed their pleasure at being chosen for this course and vowed that, because of it, their lives would change for the better.
At the end of the three months they will graduate and either return home or stay with I Care at one of our Illovo houses.

Liquifruit Presentation

2011-06-07T11:37:00.003+02:00

Pictured left - Karen Veysey, Brand Manager for the Liqui Fruit Division of Ceres Beverage Company and Denise Cochrane from I Care accepting a cheque for R10,000.00.

At the end of their 'good feeling' campaign this year Liqui Fruit decided to donate this additional amount to each of the charities that took part in the competition but did not win the Grand Prize of R200,000.00. I Care was one of five charities to benefit from this very kind gesture.

Tracksuits for the boys

2011-06-03T11:53:00.002+02:00

NCP very kindly donated tracksuits for our boys and this is the letter that Petro Vorster wrote to I Care.

"Thank you Jabu, Thulile and Nevil for the opportunity granted to NCP to contribute towards I Care by donating some tracksuits. Your staff are amazing and I wish you all the best with your 'new' recruits Thulile! (On right of picture)
As a responsible corporate in your area we at NCP would like to believe that every small gesture helps and we hope to continue doing so where and whenever we are able to."

We at I Care thank NCP and Petro for the tracksuits and for this wonderful letter.

Aftercare Food Parcels

2011-05-31T11:45:00.003+02:00

Pictured above are some of the many packages which are distributed to families of I Care boys as part of our Aftercare Programme. These parcels contain foodstuffs, toiletries, household cleaners and other items to help make the lives of the children returning home after rehabilitation at Umuzi just that little bit easier. Over sixty two packages are delivered each month by our team of Aftercare workers.

Circus Outing

2011-05-31T10:59:00.006+02:00

On Friday last, 27 May, Brian Boswell invited the I Care boys to visit his circus. According to one of the staff members who accompanied them "the boys had a whale of a time!"

Tha, Owen and Jabula were invited into the ring to perform and Byron and Jenna who were there with their parents were also asked to participate.

Jenna said the animals were not in a good mood and some of them wouldn't perform. In spite of this twenty six boys and four staff members had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, thanks to the generosity of Brian Boswell and his team.

Graduation May 2011

2011-05-27T12:44:00.002+02:00

On Monday, 16 May fourteen I Care boys graduated from the Khuthaza 3-month rehabilitation and life skills programme at the I Care Centre in KwaMakhutha. The boys were delighted with the recognition they received for completing the course and now look forward to returning to school and home life. Most of the boys will be going to the I Care homes in Lower Illovo, two are returning to their families in Johannesburg and the other five will go back to their homes in KZN.
Featured in the picture are staff members, Nelson Ngcobo and Thulile Kunene with one of the boys receiving his certificate with great pride.

Rules to live by.

2011-05-16T13:41:00.004+02:00

This is the sign above one of our children's beds.
"If you make a mess - clean it up.
If you take something - put it back.
If you borrow - give it back.
If you use it - take care of it.
If you promise - do it.
If you open something - close it again.
If you break something - fix it.
If you can't fix it - ask for help.
If you switch it on - switch it off again.
If something belongs to someone else - leave it alone.
If it's not your business - don't interfere and - finally -
IF YOU DON'T HAVE SOMETHING GOOD TO SAY ABOUT SOMEONE
DON'T SAY ANYTHING!"

This was taken from Umhlanga Rotary's Newsletter - The Lighthouse.

Fashion Show

2011-05-06T14:06:00.002+02:00

On Friday, April 29, the Glenashley (Durban) Tennis Club entertained guests with a fashion show to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. After the show guests watched the wedding on a large screen while enoying finger snacks and champagne. They were greeted on arrival at Breakers Hotel in Umhlanga by members of I Care staff dressed as guardsmen, beefeaters, maids and a town crier.
Proceeds from the show were donated to I Care.

2011 Golf Day

2011-04-20T13:34:00.003+02:00

Thursday 14 April was the Annual I Care Golf Day. Waking up to pouring rain first thing in the morning made one wonder what sort of day it would turn out to be but by 10.30 the first four-ball teed off in full sunshine and the weather continued to play its part in what turned out to be a very successful Golf Day.
Our sincerest thanks must go to all our sponsors and players. Without their support the event would not have happened!
Congratulations to Brett Lambert - pictured above receiving the Ken Bain Memorial Trophy from Peter Bain - and his partner John Knipe, both from Edmund Properties, Durban. They also received a Health Grill each as first prize.
We hope that even more golfers will join us next year for a day of good golf, supper, a raffle and an auction. Altogether a lot of fun.

I Care and Liquifruit

2011-04-18T11:22:00.002+02:00

I Care needs your vote.

Log on to www.liquifruit.co.za or search for Liquifruit on your facebook page and vote 'I Care' as your favourite charity.

I Care stands a chance of winning R200,000 and you could win a great feeling.

Thank you.

Easter Eggs

2011-03-23T14:37:00.004+02:00

On Wednesday, March 23 Crawford Preparatory North Coast delivered 5000 Easter Eggs for our boys to our Head Office. This is an annual gift from the school and is really appreciated.
Jenny Bamber, a staff member, writes:

"We hope the children enjoy the Easter Eggs. Our kiddies had great fun collecting and counting them every day."

In the picture, on left, is Bhekani Dludla from I Care and Eugene Ngobo from Crawford Preparatory North Coast.

Fashion Show

2011-03-14T14:24:00.004+02:00

This is an invitation to join us in celebrating the marriage of

HRH Prince William to Kate Middleton on Friday 29 April 2011

The actual day of the wedding will be marked by a Fashion Show which is to be held in aid of I Care and the Glenashley Tennis Club at The Breakers Conference Centre (88 Lagoon Drive, Umhlanga).
We invite you to join us there at 0900 for 0930, dressed in your 'Royal Best', finished off with a HAT.

R200.00 per person gets you a Fashion Show, High Tea, Lucky Draw prizes, a Raffle and.....the screening of the Royal Wedding.

Annual Golf Day April 14

2011-03-10T11:57:00.005+02:00

This is a repeat invitation to all our South African golfers to join us on April 14 at the Royal Durban Golf Club for our Annual Golf Day. Entry forms are available from shirley@icare.co.za or shirleyc@icare.co.za.

Here is a picture of one of them with Jenni-Lyn, our marketing manager.

Don't you just love the footwear?

Photograph courtesy North Glen News, Durban.

Boston Media House

2011-03-10T11:07:00.002+02:00

The staff and students of Boston Media House very kindly collected and delivered a whole lot of clothing and foodstuffs for our children to our Head Office in Somerset Park. These were distributed between our centres in Greyville, Illovo and Umuzi. Most welcome - thank you.

Picture shows I Care's Bhekani with one of the students.

Vote for us

2011-03-07T11:03:00.002+02:00

I Care helps

2011-02-23T14:41:00.003+02:00

I Care have stepped in to assist the children living in the Survivors Childrens Home in Durban North by offering to transport them to and from school. We are doing this in order to maintain some normality in the children's lives following some considerable upheaval as viewed on the Carte Blanche programme on SABC 3 on Sunday, 20th February.

A new car for Durban

2011-02-23T14:21:00.003+02:00

Thanks to the continued generosity of the Albert

and Molly Baumann Trust I Care has been able to purchase a new car - a Toyota Avanza - for our Durban branch.

The Photograph shows Gerty Henderson , our senior fundraiser, receiving the keys for the Avanza from David Lurien of McCarthy Toyota, Durban Kingsmead. Also in the picture is Anne Slatter, our Accounts Manager.

Thank You

2011-02-18T12:13:00.006+02:00

A very generous lady - Sue Stevens - decided that, rather than give her gifts for her birthday, her friends should donate the money to I Care, her favourite charity.
Sue has special friends. Together they donated more than R3,000.00 to spend on the boys in our care.

We are very grateful to Sue and her friends for this wonderful gesture.

Real Friends

2011-01-21T14:12:00.003+02:00

We recently contacted, via Yellow Pages, a security company to check our electric fencing.

Allway Security Systems responded, completed the job and sent us an invoice which read, amounts deleted: -

1. Call out to attend to electric fence

2. Removed, repaired energiser

3. Refitted energiser and tested

Left site in order

Discount for NPO (I Care) - donation from

staff of Allway - 50%. God Bless.

How wonderful is that? Thank you Allway staff and God Bless you too.

Partnership - I Care and Umphakathi Okhathazekile

2011-01-21T11:10:00.012+02:00

A new partnership has been formed between I Care and Umphakathi Okhathazikile, a wonderful Christian Organisation (Concerned Youth) where five of our older boys will spend three months with them. They will receive guidance away from drugs and help towards a positive future. After this the boys will return to I Care's programme for skills development.

The boys, standing at the back are, from left to right, Lucky, Mlungisi, Sihle, Sibonseng and Philani and in front, Busi and Gail from Concerned Youth, Lucia from I Care and Thandazile, also from Concerned Youth.

Salt Rock Hotel

2011-01-12T11:09:00.003+02:00

Mnqobi Nqcobo has graduated from the streets into a new career in Travel & Tourism. This is thanks to I Care's Development Programme through which Mnqobi has been studying at Pax College in Durban and has achieved excellent results in his second year with five distinctions.

The Salt Rock Hotel, north of Durban offered him a position as porter, cleaner and waiter during his December break and he has proved to be a willing and happy worker.

Mnqobi will be returning to college at the end of January to complete the final six months of his course.

2011

2011-01-04T13:01:00.003+02:00

Here's wishing everybody a Happy, Healthy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year from everyone at I Care. Here are some of the staff members, enjoying a braai - barbecue to non South Africans - just before leaving for their Christmas break.

Christmas gifts

2010-12-14T13:32:00.007+02:00

We would like to express our gratitude to two of our 'in kind' donors. Neotel are providing our Hope Centre and our Umuzi Centre with a table tennis table and a foosball table each. What an enormous amount of pleasure these sports items are going to give the boys.

S.A Bulk Shipping have donated twenty large boxes of stationery to be shared between the school, the rehabilitation centre and the Hope Centre. This is the second year that they have given us this splendid gift. Last year's boxes meant that we did not have to purchase any school stationery for the whole of 2010. Thank you to both Neotel and S.A Bulk Shipping for their wonderful gifts.

Year End Prize-Giving Ceremony

2010-12-09T11:49:00.007+02:00

On Wednesday, December 8 the I Care Christian School held a prize-giving ceremony for the boys. Each child received a certificate and a trophy recognising their achievements throughout the year. Aimable Bandandaza, one of the teachers, gave a speech acknowledging all the role players involved in the school, thanking them for their hard work. He also talked of the school's highlights for 2010. Pastor Eric then gave an address. He and his wife, Nonhlanhla are leaving I Care to study in Cape Town. We shall miss them but we wish them all the best for their future.

Lona, Lorna and Juliette from the Umuzi Board gave each child a soccer ball and a carry bag and the staff were presented with thank you gifts and praised for their work with the children. Llona said how proud the Board were to be associated with I Care.

After this the boys recited poetry, sang, danced and performed a modern rendition of the Parable of the Good Samaritan, using the football teams - Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates as examples. After a light lunch a great afternoon was spent with the boys and their families.

Congratulations go to all the staff at ICCS for their efforts over the past year and for a memorable day.

Christmas Boxes

2010-12-08T13:48:00.004+02:00

Bhekani, Sipho and Mlungisi with just a few of the many boxes of Christmas gifts which were collected for the boys by the pupils of My Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent and Virginia Preparatory School in Durban North. There were enough presents to fill a shoebox for each and every boy in our care. Each box contained books, stationery, sweets, toys and other goodies. For some children this would be their very first Christmas gift and they were all delighted.

Everyone at I Care would like to express thanks for the kindness of these schoolchildren in helping our children to have a happy Christmas.

Annual Review

2010-11-29T13:31:00.004+02:00

At our Annual Review held last week at our premises in Somerset Park, loyal donors were presented with 'Appreciation Certificates' thanking them for their vital role in our work with street children.

Going far beyond simply 'getting kids off the streets' I Care's 'Cycle of care' programme has continued to turn street children into productive adults since its inception in 2002. In her speech chairman Denise Cochrane outlined our organisation's achievements during 2010.

* 104 boys were removed from the streets and sent on rehabilitation programmes or to Child Care facilities.

* 65 percent were rehabilitated.

* 53 boys returned to their family homes and are back at school while still monitored by our Aftercare team.

* 14 boys live in our houses with their house parents.

* We established a new rehabilitation centre with the capacity to accommodate up to 20 boys on each course.

Some of our children sang a carol for the guests and Qaphela gave a moving speech about his past, his transformation and his pride at being elected head boy of his school.

Cheque from Virtual Marketing

2010-11-24T11:48:00.007+02:00

On Wednesday 24 November Simone Masson, My School Community Organiser - Durban and Kay Raidoo, Regional Manager Woolworths KZN handed over a cheque for R50,000.00 to I Care. This was the final amount raised from their 'Pass it forward' campaign.

I Care would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone responsible at My School and Woolworths for this wonderful donation. The money is to be used towards a school project.

The photograph shows (from left) Jabulani and Jabu from I Care, Simone from My School, Kay from Woolworths and Nevil Carrington, CEO of I Care.

CIMA KZN

2010-11-19T12:24:00.004+02:00

The picture shows Rosalind MacDonald handing the cheque to Anne Slatter and Jenni-Lyn. Marlin Moorthi is on the far left standing next to Thiris Arumugam from CIMA KZN.

On Wednesday, 17 November the KZN branch of CIMA handed over a cheque for R5,000.00 to I Care at the Hope Centre in Greyville.

Rosalind MacDonald said that the KZN brach committee had selected I Care as a deserving charity for their corporate social responsibility for the year.

After a quick tour of the centre CIMA, represented by Thiris Arumugam, Martin Moorthi and Rosalind MacDonald presented the cheque to Anne and Jenni-Lyn. They are happy for us to use the money to purchase a new shower for the Hope Centre.

We need your votes please.

2010-11-12T11:48:00.004+02:00

Dear Friends.

Here is an opportunity to raise R50,000.00 for I Care.

The following is taken from an advertisement on TV 11 Novembet 2010.

What if you could change the lives of those less fortunate this festive season

Restore their pride

Give them a place to call home

And hope for a brighter future

Now you can author the chapter of change.

SMS your charity of choice to 32514 and take home a gift to say thank you.

THE REACHOUT INITIATIVE from DSTV a division of MULTICHOICE Television.

We would like to encourage you to put I Care's name forward to DSTV but request that you use our official name - LHC FOUNDATION t/a I CARE if you do so.

Obviously the more people that send an SMS the better our chances of receiving the R50,000.00 so please take a moment to express your support for us in this way.

With our thanks and appreciation.

D.L. Cochrane
TRUSTEE.

Johannesburg Boys Camp

2010-11-05T13:28:00.006+02:00

On Friday October 22 six boys from the streets of Mayfair in Johannesburg set off for a week-end camp away from the depressing atmosphere of Johannesburg street life. The trip was a resounding success.

A week before the camp I Care visited the parents of the boys in Soweto and Orange Farm to get their permission for the outing. It was given willingly. There were six participants, aged from 10 to 17 years of age, all of them from the streets. Three volunteers, graduates from our Khuthaza Rehab Centre, two I Care staff members and two caterers accompanied the boys.

The theme for the camp was 'My Life' and was intended as a comparison for the boys to accept their past lives, seek understanding of where they now find themselves and draw up reasonable plans for life after the camp and for their future.

They explored the world of creative arts and participated in various sports and games, keeping the graduates busy.

At a fireside chat on the Friday each individual told his own life story which turned out to be a most enriching expreience for everyone, boys and helpers alike.

One of I Care's staff members said that the group had been a joy to work with. Apart from the odd expected squabble they were calm and relaxed. They used all the rooms responsibly and kept everything clean and neat.

In conclusion, the camp was a great success and the participants all enjoyed the experience but expressed regret that it was too short.

The camp also gave our three graduates a wonderful opportunity to exercise their leadership skills. Linda, in particular, was outstanding.

Our thanks go out to everybody involved, not least to Bill and Maydie, our caterers. They are a wonderful couple. We are humbled by their devotion to I Care and the boys.

Book Club

2010-11-05T11:40:00.002+02:00

On Saturday, October 30 Anne went along to a book club for ten-year-olds organised by Mrs. Julia Knowles of Durban North with the idea of introducing young children into good reading habits. Anne gave a short presentation on the work done by I Care and the girls were most interested and asked some very intelligent and thoughtful questions.
A huge bag of sweets was then given to Anne for the boys at I Care - more than 70 bags altogether! These will be handed to the youngsters at our Hope Centre, our houses and our rehab centre. Thank you girls!

Rotary Sponsorship

2010-11-01T12:30:00.008+02:00

On Sunday, 31 October, members of the Umhlanga Rotary Club and Willem de Vreez from Rotary Holland revisited our rehab centre at Umuzi to present a cheque for R300,000.00 to be used for sposorship of the rehab project. Nettie Howard and Willem de Vreez gave speeches on behalf of their respective clubs and Anne Slatter thanked the Rotarians on behalf of I Care.
The boys were very excited to receive 'goodie bags' which were filled with sweets, chips, a torch, a soccer ball, a juice bottle and a frisbee. Several of the boys said it felt 'just like Christmas'. Each boy also received two T-shirts and the group were given a complete cricket set.
I Care appreciates the generosity of Rotary - for their wonderful donation and for their interest in the boys and we look forward to hosting them again in the future.

The Big Walk

2010-10-25T11:55:00.005+02:00

On Friday, 22 October the Durban beachfront was transformed when 250 LexisNexis staff members and 80 I Care staff and children walked from uShaka to Berea Rovers Club to raise money for the children in our care. The initiative forms part of the 'LexisNexis Cares' Day which takes place every year. The day was a great success, raising in excess of R55,000.00 for I Care. The money is to be used towards the building of a sports facility and for other maintenance projects, all aimed at improving the lives of street children and enabling them to look forward to a better future than they could expect by living on the streets.

Thank you, LexisNexis.

A Special Treat

2010-10-21T12:05:00.004+02:00

During the September holidays Amanzimtoti Round Table treated seven of our 'aftercare' boys to a trip to Johannesburg. These boys have been successfully reunited with their families and attend schools in the Durban area. Qaphela, in picture, wrote to thank the Round Tablers for a wonderful holiday. Below is his letter to I Care.

"Dear Madam,
I write this letter to thank you for a lovely holiday which my friends and I enjoyed in Johannesburg.
It was our first time in Johannesburg. We enjoyed a lot of activities like touching cubs, feeding the giraffe, seeing different kinds of fossils, going on a horseride, seeing kinds of birds like the biggest owl, the vultures, the toucans, the Macaws and the parrot. The diffrent (sic) kinds of game also amazed us.
Thank you very much I Care and Round Table for your hospitality and good accommodation. Thank you a lot for a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Yours faithfully,
Qaphela Mkhwanazi."

It is obvious from this letter that the boys' visit to the Johannesburg Zoo made the biggest impression.

Umhlanga Rotary

2010-10-18T13:52:00.006+02:00

Rotary Umhlanga visited Umuzi at the end of last month. Rotary International are sponsoring the rehabilitation programme for one year and the local Rotarians were keen to see how I Care works to help street children. The visitors were Barry Dobson, Nettie Howard, Clive Hull, Dave Prece and Rob Hay. They were all most impressed with the project, especially work done in the classroom and will return to Umuzi on Sunday, October 24 to present the boys with gifts and T-shirts.

Johannesburg

2010-10-13T13:44:00.006+02:00

We are currently negotiating the purchase of the Scout Hall in Brixton, Johannesburg to serve as a 'drop-in' centre and regional office for I Care in Gauteng. This has been made possible by a generous donation from Australia and the merger of Thembulethu Ministries from Melville Union Church.

New volunteers

2010-10-13T11:53:00.004+02:00

Over the last few days we have welcomed four new volunteers into our organisation. Three young ladies have joined us from the Netherlands through an organisation called Be More and the other is here on an internship through her university in Germany.

Christie, Marloes, Niesje and Lisa will be based at various centres within the I Care project, each choosing where they feel their expertise is best suited.

We look forward to having these girls assisting with the boys and helping staff members and thank them all for their interest in I Care.

Welcome, ladies, to the I Care family.

There is a difference!

2010-10-12T12:14:00.004+02:00

We at I Care feel it important that the public are made aware of the difference between children who beg on the streets and actual street children. There are many beggers at street corners who have a home, a family and who attend school but, when school is out, at week-ends and during school holidays, go out onto the street, hands outstretched, begging for money.

Then there are the actual street children who, through no fault of their own, finr themselves without a home, no family and who don't attend school. These are street children that I Care can help by giving them food, clothing, shelter and a chance in life.

If you are confronted by these children please direct them to our Hope Centre in Stamford Hill Road, opposite the Post Office, in Greyville, Durban. I Care will then be able to help the genuine street chilren.

Lexis Nexis

2010-10-06T14:05:00.003+02:00

We are very grateful to Lexis Nexis, the Business Research Solution people, for choosing I Care as their Social Responsibility project for the year. Their staff are committed to raising funds for us by holding an Awareness Walk for which they have been asked to obtain sponsorships for I Care boys. This walk is to take place on October 22 and will start from uShaka, move along the Durban beach front to Berea Rovers Club behind Kings Park Stadium.

Watch this space for pictures and news!

Mrs. D.C. Bain

2010-10-01T14:02:00.002+02:00

Our week was saddened with the death, on Wednesday, 29 September, of Mrs. Bain, aged 91. Mrs. Bain was the devoted mother of our chairman, Denise Cochrane, son Peter and daughter, Lyn and adored grandmother to many grandchildren. She will be remembered with love. We know that she is now at peace with our Lord .

Mrs. Bain's Memorial Service is to be held at Immanuel Christian Church in Somerset Park, Umhlanga on Thursday, 7 October at 11 .00.

2010-09-29T13:32:00.007+02:00

Our latest Newsletter - number 29 - has just been posted. Should you not receive your copy within the next two weeks or you would like to be put on our mailing list, please contact us in Durban at 031 5726870, on our careline - 086 1470047 or send us an e-mail - info@icare.co.za with your name and address and we will be happy to forward a copy to you.
Thank you for your continued support.

Stepping Stones

2010-09-23T11:17:00.004+02:00

The following extract has been taken from an article written by 'The Idler' in Durban's morning newspaper - The Mercury - on Tuesday, September 21st 2010.
'They hang about the intersections pestering motorists for hand-outs. Where do they come from? What happens when they grow up? Do they graduate to serious crime?
Retired Durban business executive Bryan Britton is determined to do something to help lift street children out of their predicament and get them into an acceptable mode of living. His contribution has been to put together a book that sets a framework for the youth of today. 'Stepping Stones' (Reach Publishers) brings together aphorisms from a range of sources - from ancient Rome to the bible, to Eastern and European philosophies - all focusing on the requirements necessary for a balanced and meaningful life.
The proceeds from the sale of the books will go to I Care, a registered charity that seeks to bring street children back into productive society and into an environment where these precepts can have meaning'.
'Stepping Stones' retails at R149.98 and can be ordered at www.crink.co.za.

"Love you Guys"

2010-09-17T11:41:00.002+02:00

Alicia Mason, a resident living in the Amanzimtoti/Warner Beach area of KZN found a young boy hanging around a shopping mall. He had been frequenting the centre for some time and Alicia contacted South Coast Child Welfare but they did not seem able to help so she called I Care and spoke to Anne Slatter, our Accounts Manager, who in turn asked Lucia, our Outreach Manager, if she could check things out. This Lucia did and even went so far as to visit the family home and take along a food parcel. She explained to the boy's mother that we could enrol him into our Rehabilitation Programme, starting this month and yesterday a very happy young man joined 11 other youngsters at our centre in Umuzi.
We received an e-mail from Alicia, headed - "Love you Guys" - thanking Anne and all I Care staff for our help. Our response? "Thank you for showing an interest and helping this young boy towards a better life."
It is because of people like Alicia and everyone who supports I Care that we can continue to look after these disadvantaged children and we appreciate all your help.

My School Woolworths Play it Forward

2010-09-15T12:50:00.006+02:00

The My School 'Play it Forward' campaign was held this year leading up to the World Cup Soccer event and was aimed at teaching children the value of giving back (playing forward) to those in need.
At the same time the organisers - MySchoolMyVillageMyPlanet - wanted international visitors to be made aware of the plight of street children, something which we at I Care are addressing. They wanted visitors who did not have a My School card to be able to participate and so, the My School 'Play it Forward' soccer ball was created. Branded with the South African flag it was sold at Woolworths stores across the country. Woolworths pledged R5 from the sale of each ball towards helping street children in need.
More than 33,000 balls were sold and the total sum raised was R231,973.00.
I Care was delighted to be nominated as one of the beneficiaries from this event and will use the money to help children who have been successfully reunified with their families and communities. Part of the reunification involves enrolling the children into a school near their homes and providing uniforms and stationery. We maintain contact with each child on a monthly basis by way of a home visit and provision of food parcels. We are currently supporting 42 families and this figure increases with each reunification that takes place.
We are very grateful to MySchoolMyVillageMyPlanet programme and Woolworths for their generosity.

Sad News

2010-09-01T14:37:00.004+02:00

One of the children that I Care has been looking after for a number of years passed away last week after a long illness. The family live in total poverty and were thus unable to give their child a proper burial. Thanks to two of our wonderful volunteers - George (UK) and Marieka (Holland) this was averted. They undertook to pay for funeral expenses and the child was given a proper funeral and a final resting place. Naturally the family were very grateful and so were we at I Care.
Note to George and Marieka - Thank you for the tremendous imnpact you have made and are continuing to make in our organisation and with the youngsters in our care.

Jo'Burg Boys News

2010-09-01T14:22:00.006+02:00

On Tuesday, August 31, Lucia, accompanied by George (a volunteer film maker from the UK), took the three Johannesburg boys who have been in our rehabilitation programme in Umuzi back home to visit their families in Gauteng. Thabo, Thando and Linda's families were prepared by Todd for this visit. The group departed from Durban early on Tuesday morning and arrived safely in Jo'Burg late afternoon. Lucia, George and Todd will be spending three days visiting the parents and discussing the possibility of the boys returning home some time soon.
All three boys have been very excited about the visit and were eager to see their families again.
Thanks to Todd, Lucia and George for their efforts in making all this possible.

Our Johannesburg boys

2010-08-23T14:16:00.004+02:00

Three of our Johannesburg boys have been on our Khuthaza Rehabilitation Programme for the past three months. Having completed the course, two of them will be attending St. Anthony's Skills Centre in Boksburg, learning all aspects of the building trade - brick-laying, plastering, plumbing, electrical etc., and the third boy is to attend an ABET course in order to obtain a School Leaving certificate.
All three boys have been sponsored by Unitrans Sugar and Agriculture.

Lucky

2010-08-23T11:29:00.003+02:00

Lucky (street name China) has been touching base with I Care for a number of years and recently he agreed to enter rehabilitation. I Care sponsored him at Harmony Retreat in Greytown where he went through their Christian Rehabilitation Programme for three and a half months. While he was there he was offered the opportunity to be trained in welding techniques and he is now close to completing his certificate in various aspects of welding. He has been living in Kranskop and going daily for one-on-one training with Ian Younge in Hermansburg. I Care is currently in negotiations with a potential employer for Lucky.

Jeffares & Green

2010-08-13T14:26:00.004+02:00

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - a matter of the heart.
Jeffares & Green - a national engineering consulting company - understands more than most just how important corporate social responsibility is these days. Instead of spending money on gifts for clients and staff, management donated their entire gift budget to I Care. The money was used to educate nine rehabilitated street children. But it is not just about writing out a cheque to pay the teachers' salaries and buy the stationery and text books needed. It is about taking an interest in the lives of nine young people who were forced onto the streets through no fault of their own and giving them a better future and I Care is very grateful.

Armstrong Construction

2010-08-12T14:33:00.004+02:00

Because I Care is involved in the rehabilitation and re-integration into the community of boys living on the streets I Care needs to equip them with a skill to enable them to obtain employment after they leave school. Without the assistance of some of our donors this would be an impossible task.
Armstrong Construction is such a donor. This company has stepped up and is not only employing one of our boys but is providing skills training at the same time. Micheal Mdlalosi has been offered this opportunity at the Armstrong Construction site in Isipingo where a new PEP store is being built
There are many young boys who have been through the I Care programme and, having completed their schooling, will require skills training and work opportunities. I Care now thanks Wayne Ric-Hansen and Dave Armstrong for providing two of these former street children with an opportunity to play their role in the development of South Africa.

Volunteer - Jetske

2010-08-12T11:23:00.007+02:00

Jetske van Schaar has published a book on her experiences as a volunteer working with street children in South Africa and prefaced the book, entitled Helden van Zuid Afrika, with a note of thanks: -
"To everyone at I Care I thank you for allowing me and trusting me to follow you closely and write down your stories. I hope this book is an ode to the beautiful work you do. Baie dankie, ngiyabonga and keep up the good work."
Helden van Zuid Afrika is published in the Dutch language by De Boekenmakers.

Graduation July 2010

2010-07-30T11:27:00.008+02:00

On Thursday July 22 fifteen young men received their graduation certificates after completing our twelve week rehabilitation programme. For the first time every boy who started the course finished it. Well done.
To start proceedings the boys entertained their guests - parents and staff members -
by singing some action songs in Zulu and Sotho. This was followed by some very lively dancing which set up quite a sand storm.
Reverend Goodenough Mthembu gave an inspirational speech, telling the boys that God would always be there for them. He wanted them to know that I Care staff would also be there to help if they ever needed it.
Cedric and Jenni-Lyn presented each boy with his certificate and a gift, after which everyone enjoyed the final item on the programme - some of the male members of our staff dressed up in frilly skirts and pretty tops and Lucia donned pants and a shirt and they preformed their own special dance for us. They received a standing ovation from the guests.
Some of the graduates will be staying with I Care, living in our houses in Illovo and some will go home to their families but one thing is certain, each of these young men will go into the world again with a happy heart and a spring in his step. We wish them well on their journey through life.

Young man makes good

2010-07-20T12:20:00.003+02:00

Mnqobi and his family had a pretty traumatic time when their home was attacked and burned to the ground and their cattle stolen. They moved to another area but Mnqobi's parents found it difficult to get jobs. Mnqobi left home and lived on the streets with drug users and alcoholics as companions. Then one day he met two new friends. Jabulani and Donation from I Care were different. They didn't drink and they didn't 'do drugs'. What they did was to take young Mnqobi under their wings. They counselled him and helped him to rebuild his life.
Today Mnqobi lives at home, has a driver's license and, through I Care, has been enrolled at a college in Durban where he is studying travel and tourism.

On the Lookout

2010-07-19T13:38:00.002+02:00

We are searching for houses to rent in Durban and Johannesburg. These will be used for boys entering the I Care Skills Development programme.
Please contact Nevil on 082 3748054 should you know of anyone willing to rent a house to I Care or to provide funds in assisting us to do this.

Scooters

2010-06-10T13:31:00.003+02:00

On Tuesday, June 8th Denise and Anne attended the opening of the new Scooters Pizza Parlour in Umhlanga Rocks, KZN. Anne received a cheque for R1,500.00 from Shaun the franchisee on behalf of Scooters. Thereafter they enjoyed sampling a pizza or two and a pleasant evening.
Scooters have offered to donate pizzas to our Hope Centre in Greyville to give the youngsters a treat.
They will also give the boys living in our I Care houses the opportunity to see how a pizza parlour operates and be able to create their own pizzas. What fun!

2010

2010-06-02T13:53:00.004+02:00

The worst thing you can do is to give these street children money......

It will encourage them to buy addictive glue to overcome their hunger, cold & fear
It encourages them to stay on the streets and promotes a lifestyle of begging
It deprives them of any hope of a future and
It could lead to gang and criminal involvement

The next worst thing is DO NOTHING!

Because of I Care children living on the streets get the chance to become effective members of society through an holistic approach.

Please support us.

Careline: 086 1470047
Phone: 031 5726870
E-Mail: info@icare.co.za
Web Site: www.icare.co.za

Mosaic Footballer

2010-05-20T11:32:00.002+02:00

This delightful figure was made by the boys from the Hope Centre. He was auctioned at our Golf Day on May 13 and fetched R6,000.00.

Boys at work

2010-05-20T11:14:00.003+02:00

These are the boys responsible for the football mosaic which was auctioned at the Golf Day on May 13. Karen Maiden who helps with all things artistic said, "The children are great and always polite. I absolutely love working with them. To make the mosaic picture they broke floor and wall tiles into tiny peices and then glued them onto a board".

Neotel and the Hope Centre

2010-05-19T14:40:00.002+02:00

Thanks to incredible help from Neotel and their contractors our Hope Centre is looking quite magnificent. Workers have transformed its interior and from looking decidedly drab it is now bright and shiny.
Work already completed includes repair of a gaping hole at the rear of the hall, entire back section sanded and sealed, walls stripped, sanded and painted, windows stripped and cleaned, floors stripped, sanded and polished and the entire building declared safe by a qualified electrician. The Hope Centre is now a place to be proud of - not just by I Care but by the young boys who use the facilities provided and those facilities now include five computers, also provided by Neotel. We are all so very grateful.

Sixth Annual Golf Day

2010-05-19T11:34:00.005+02:00

Our sixth annual Golf Day was held at Royal Durban Golf Club on Thursday, May 13 and was pronounced "Best ever".
After a wonderful day of golf and renewed friendships, some of the players travelled from Johannesburg, enjoyed by golfers and helpers alike, a prize-giving ceremony was held in the club house. Refreshments were served, Denise gave an excellent speech thanking everyone and re-iterating just how important it is for us to get children off the streets, to give them shelter, food, clothing, an education and skills training at our rehabilitation centre.
Two items were then auctioned - a football signed by the Bafana team which raised
R10,000.00 and a mosaic picture, painstakingly made by the boys from the Hope Centre and supervised by Karen which fetched R6,000.00. Our thanks to Ian Wyles the auctioneer. The raffle made over R4,000.00.
Guy Armstrong and Peter Bezuitenhout won the first prize for the golf - see presentation picture with Peter Bain.
Several holes were sponsored by local companies and individuals but the most popular was at the tenth tee. Kuehne & Nagel sent a team of three delightful young ladies who served liquid refreshment and snacks to the appreciative players.
We wish to thank all the participants, all the sponsors, the donors of prizes and the helpers for making May 13 a memorable day.

The Ridge Magazine

2010-05-10T11:02:00.003+02:00

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Denise Cochrane, founder and chairman and Nevil Carrington, CEO, standing outside one of our houses in Lower Illovo, KZN. This picture is courtesy of The Ridge Magazine, April/ May edition. It was accompanied by a very nice article telling people exactly what I Care is about. The main concept is, to quote the magazine, to send our outreach team to circulate among children (all boys) on the streets, taking those who are willing to our Hope Centre which is open all day so that they can have a meal, a shower and a change of clothing. Where possible our team attempts to re-integrate street children with their families but if that is not possible we try to give them a home within the I Care organisation. This includes schooling and skills training.

Hope Centre 2010

2010-05-05T12:56:00.005+02:00

Big Shoes - an organisation committed to taking care of children with HIV - is moving into the Hope Centre. This means that our children will, at all times, have access to a doctor who will be based at the Centre.
If a child requires hospital care the doctor can write a referal and therefore eliminate queueing.
They will also be giving training to both adults and children at no cost to ourselves.
Slowly but surely the original vision for the Hope Centre is being fulfilled and we are all so very grateful to Big Shoes for their on-going commitment to I Care.

His first job

2010-04-29T13:52:00.005+02:00

One of our older 'boys' has just been offered a job with SA Fasteners. The company had told Anne Slatter when she gave a presentation to them that they were willing to take our older boys into their organisation if there was an interest shown. Nevil, Cedric and Sihle met with them on April 28 and young Sihle started work on the 29th! He is extremely excited at having this chance to earn a living for himself. We thank SA Fasteners for their faith in us and wish young Sihle everything good in his now job

Lucia

2010-04-23T11:34:00.005+02:00

Our incredible Outreach Manager - Lucia Shange - gave a talk to the ladies of Umhlali Methodist Church on Thursday, 22 April and Jabulani Mbamba sang, in his beautiful tenor voice, The Twenty Third Psalm. Here is a copy of the letter which Lucia received at the end of the afternoon.

"Our precious Lucia,
You are an angel sent from heaven, not only to brighten the lives of "street children" but to brighten the lives of every single soul who is fortunate to have you cross their path.
May God bless you, abundantly, every moment of every day as you walk in his footsteps.
With love,
Umhlali Methodist W A".

These thoughts are echoed by everyone at I Care and we congratulate Lucia on spreading the word in her own special way.

Graduation Day, March 29

2010-03-30T13:31:00.002+02:00

Here are our seven happy garduates, having completed their rehabilitation programme, giving their parents, friends and I Care staff a Zulu dance in celebration.
After the prize-giving ceremony where the boys were given their certificates they were also given a satchel containing a brand new Zulu bible, school stationery and clothes for the new term.
Our resident "snake charmer" gave a chat and introduced his pet snake to the boys who took turns in handling it, looking somewhat bemused by the experience.
Afterwards, to the delight of all present, refreshments were served and enjoyed.

Congratulations

2010-03-29T12:49:00.006+02:00

Qaphela is the new head boy at High Stone School in Phoenix. He is the first black boy to be given this honour.
Qaphela enjoys school and loves his sport, especially cricket but he is a football fan and supports Pirates.
He left home when he was 10 years old, stayed on the streets for more than two years before coming to I Care in October 2007. He lived in one of our houses in LowerIllovo and attended our special school.
Last year he returned to his family and I Care enrolled him in High Stone School in January 2010 as part of our "aftercare" programme. His promotion to head boy this month is a tribute to Qaphela himself and to the dedicated work of the I Care teaching staff and his house-parents,
We congratulate this remarkable young man on his achievement.

Farewell to Brie

2010-03-15T12:51:00.003+02:00

One of our volunteers, Brie Plaggenborg, recently left I Care to return home to Holland. She has been with us for more than two years and has been a great asset to the organisation in more ways than one. During her stay with us she spent her time with the children. She was with them during their rehabiliation, in our special school, helping our principal, Gill, and after school assisting with homework and helping the house-parents. She also accompanied them on various outings to places of interest such as bird parks, the Durban Museum and Art Gallery, the Sharks Board and Tala Game Reserve. Then there were the other activities like swimming, surfing ten-pin-bowling and other sporting events, Brie was there too, joininig in the fun.
Before she left she wrote the following: -
"My two years in South Africa and with I Care have been wonderful and life-enriching, very loving, challenging in many ways and occasionally frustrating but very, very fulfilling."
She also added, "I Care has changed as an organisation during my time here. It is much more professional these days and is succeeding in working more efficiently towards achieving the vision of its founders, Graham and Denise Cochrane, that is to get every child off the streets and into a loving home."
Goodbye, Brie, you will be missed by your I Care colleagues and all your boys but we know you will be happy to be re-united with your family back home in the Netherlands.

Bambisandla J.P School

2010-03-01T13:49:00.002+02:00

The Bambisandla Junior Primary School have sent I Care a very nice letter with an invitation to Lucia and Jabulani to give a presentation or talk to them in order to emphasise the values of family life. Bambisandla School has three learners who are part of the I Care programme and they are very impressed by the way we care for all our children.
We shall tell you how everything went once dates and times have been arranged.

East Coast Radio

2010-02-19T12:19:00.003+02:00

On Friday, February 12, East Coast Radio KZN gave I Care the opportunity, through Jenni-Lyn van Niekerk, to share an interview by Damon Beard with Marc Hardwick from The Guardian and Carol van den Berg from Greyville Ministries.
Damon wanted to know what was planned for our Outreach Day on February 20 and over 2 million listeners heard about the wonderful things we have planned for the children in the area. There will be a street "clean-up" involving everyone, talks by representatives from organisations caring for different needs such as HIV, drugs, trauma and abuse, music and plenty to eat and drink.
Apart from advertising this special day Jenni-Lyn was also able to chat about I Care and what we are doing to help the children living on the streets in Durban and surrounds.
During the broadcast more than twenty calls were received from people wanting to help and donations and calls are still coming in one week later.
So - thank you East Coast Radio and Damon for this wonderful opportunity.

The Day The Boys Met The Boys, Bafana Bafana!

2010-01-18T14:26:00.008+02:00

Monday, January 18th, was a big day for the I Care boys. The South African Football Team - Bafana Bafana - gave them something special when they turned up at Umuzi to meet our youngsters. The team mingled with the boys, chatting to them, giving them a lot of encouragement and then presenting them with gifts. Each young man received a signed t-shirt, football and vuvuzela. Then Bafana Bafana autographed the boys' shirts for them, giving them a day to remember.
Lucia gave a short talk, telling the team about I Care and asked that they maintain an on-going commitment to our boys. They were happy to agree to do so, saying they felt that they had made new friends today and our yougnsters agreed wholeheartedly.
SABC 3, eTV, Supersport, various local Newspapers and Radio stations were all present, helping to make it a memorable occasion for everybody.

Thank You For Making A Difference

2010-01-14T11:29:00.008+02:00

We want to place on record our sincere thanks to the following for helping to make the boys' Christmas very, very special in 2009.
Smit Amandla Marine - Shamiena Harris - for the party at the Hope Centre and by sponsoring our Carols by Candlelight.
Unlimited World - Kira Cannon - for taking the Lower Illovo boys on a most generous shopping spree at the Pavillion Shopping Centre, Durban Girls College for pre-packed gifts, East Coast Radio Toy Story Campaign for their Christmas gifts.
The Car Group - Melanie Eggerglusz - for the wonderful party and the seemingly endless supply of clothing, sports and electronic equipment, sweets and other goodies for the Lower Illovo and Umuzi boys and, last but by no means least, to
Kath Gantvoort for the "Saturday Boys" at the Hope Centre. They had such a lot of fun!
THANK YOU ALL FROM EVERYONE AT I CARE - your kindness was much appreciated.

Seasons Greetings

2009-12-09T12:00:00.003+02:00

Umuzi Rehab Centre's needs

2009-11-26T12:40:00.006+02:00

The rehabilitation centre at Umuzi is taking shape very nicely but we are in need of a few things for the boys to help them to settle in.
Please, if you have any of the following looking for a new home, contact us at 031 5726870 or 086 1470047 and we shall make arrangements to collect. Alternatively, if you are able to deliver we will be happy to receive goods at our office - 57, Hambridge Road, Somerset Park - above Christ Church, Umhlanga.

We need: - duvets and covers, sheets, pillows and pillow cases.
cutlery, drinking cups/mugs
pots and pans
dustbins
urn, kettle, microwave, washing machine, chest freezer
bedside lamps for staff members
double adaptors and finally, for their locker keys -
lanyards - 20 boys.

Talk on I Care?

2009-11-17T14:28:00.005+02:00

If your church, school, company or group would like a talk telling you about the work that I care is doing to help the street children who come into our rehebilitation programme please contact Marj Scott at 031 2701819 or 083 2701819 to make the necessary arrangements. Marj gives a very interesting chat and her words will help you to understand why children find themselves begging on street corners and how we help them to "find" themselves and become useful citizens.

Friends

2009-11-16T12:01:00.007+02:00

Apart from our very kind friends who donate money, there is a group of wonderful people who donate "in kind".
We would like these people to know that their donations are every bit as welcome as rands and cents and that without their generosity we would find it even harder to look after the childrens' needs.
Every week we receive cold meats from Warren Rebeeck of Mr. Mozzie, perishable goods such as vegetables, fruit and meats from Vinay Lachman of Chipworld and bread for the Hope Centre from Peter Tsilimigras at the Continental Bakery. Each month we receive foodstuffs from SA Fasteners, Pako in Verulum, Tongaat Sugar and our very good friend, Mr. G. Naidu. Merlog Foods send frozen chicken and vegetables and Mplilende gives us porridge. All these are so welcome. Lastly we must acknowledge the other donations - Triumph Printers take care of all our printing, especially our Newsletters, The Inkdrop doesn't charge us for re-filling all our ink cartridges and Pak 'n Stax gives us toothbrushes for all the boys.
There also many friends who remember I Care when they are discarding good quality clothing, bedding, books, toys, furniture and other household goods.
To all of you - our most grateful thanks. Your generosity is much appreciated.

Umuzi

2009-11-04T13:36:00.004+02:00

Here is a new picture of our Umuzi buildings. The boys have settled in very nicely, though one or two are finding it a little difficult to conform to the necessary regulations imposed. They will quickly learn that it is for their own good and will benefit from the new rules.

Johannesburg

2009-11-04T12:05:00.003+02:00

Here is a photograph of Todd Khupe and his family. We have opened an office in the Melville Union Church in Johannesburg. It is being manned by Todd who has been working with street kids in the Melville/Brixton area with Thembalethu Ministries. He is currently completing his Theological studies, is fluent in Zulu and adheres strongly to the vision of I Care that gives street children hope. Initially Todd will be conducting research into the extent of the street children problem in the Auckland Park/Brixton/Mayfair West/Melville area in order to advise I Care as to whether there is a need to establish a reception centre, rehabilitation centre, houses, schools etc. If such a need is deemed necesssary I Care will be in an excellent position to advise and help Todd and the children of the area.

2009-10-21T14:11:00.004+02:00

Melta and Jabu with one of the graduates at the Khuthaza Graduation ceremony which took place at the Hope Centre on 9 October 2009.