Coaching for Hope [www.coachingforhope.org/ ]‘is an innovative program which uses football (soccer) to create better futures for young people in Western and Southern Africa.’ Coaching for Hope is part of the international volunteering and development charity called SkillShare International.
A recent meeting with the Southern Africa Program Manager for Coaching for Hope has resulted in an exciting prospective for the Adolescent Group at Kidzpositive. Through the discussion it has become apparent that using soccer as a form of expression, group cohesion and team playing will encourage those interested individuals in the group to enjoy the multiply benefits of being part of this project. Our adolescent clinic in March will provide a space to introduce a Coaching for Hope coach from the Crossroads Multi-purpose Centre who will provide the adolescents with information about how to get involved, when to come to practices and how to join the mini-league. Through providing this service and introduction within a safe space at our clinic we hope that it will encourage our adolescent group to go along to the Crossroads Multi-purpose Centre and join in the fun. Adding to this, Coaching for Hope with SCORE [http://www.score.org.za/] provides opportunities for older adolescents who show soccer playing potential as well as leadership skills to be identified as suitable peer group leaders who will be offered the Coaching for Hope level 1 training later in the year. We hope that those dedicated and interested adolescents within our clinic will show their shining potential and grow within this fantastic initiative.
The Kidzpositive Family Fund is dedicated to improving the health of HIV-positive children in Southern Africa. Our goal is to generate funds for the grassroots support of HIV/AIDS. Our aim is to become a regional source of financial support for organisations providing care for significant numbers of affected families. The name of the fund is inspired by the positive spirit and actions of these people.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Collaborating for a better service for all
A recent meeting with Heather Schiff, a clinical psychologist and co-founder of the Bonfire Theatre Company [www.bonfiretheatre.co.za], has resulted in an exciting upcoming offer for our adolescent group at the GSH clinic.
Heather has offered to teach drama workshops to our adolescent group over the next few months, culminating in a show at the end of it. We are planning for two major workshops to be done with the group over the April school holidays - an ideal time for them to be busy and enjoying each others company without the pressures and routine of school everyday.
This is a very exciting initiative and we look forward to keeping everyone updated on progress and experiences of the youth.
Heather has offered to teach drama workshops to our adolescent group over the next few months, culminating in a show at the end of it. We are planning for two major workshops to be done with the group over the April school holidays - an ideal time for them to be busy and enjoying each others company without the pressures and routine of school everyday.
This is a very exciting initiative and we look forward to keeping everyone updated on progress and experiences of the youth.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
20 years of Freedom
Today marks 20 years since the release of our former president Nelson Mandela from prison. In 20 years South Africa's political situation has made major changes. From his long walk to freedom, his rise to presidency, his contributions to social justice and freedom, and his continuing work with children through the Nelson Mandela's Children Fund Madiba has been and continues to unite a nation.
Like our Madiba, Kidzpositive is passionate about children and we work towards fulfilling the rights of our children to healthcare, to medical treatment and psycho-social support.
We would like to congratule Mr Mandela on his phenomenal personal, national and international accomplishments. He is the glue that has bound a country, set an example of what it is to show humility and continues to fire up a network of committed citizens in working for the greater good of a nation.
Viva Madiba Viva!
Like our Madiba, Kidzpositive is passionate about children and we work towards fulfilling the rights of our children to healthcare, to medical treatment and psycho-social support.
We would like to congratule Mr Mandela on his phenomenal personal, national and international accomplishments. He is the glue that has bound a country, set an example of what it is to show humility and continues to fire up a network of committed citizens in working for the greater good of a nation.
Viva Madiba Viva!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Upcoming Adolescent Activities planned at Kidzpositive
On the upcoming agenda for our adolescent group is ready to be viewed.... Providing healthcare services for HIV positive children and teens is not enough. Providing additional services is key. These include extra-mural activities. There are a number of new initiatives which will be launched in the upcoming months.
We have networked with ‘Dance For All’ outreach program who run dancing classes for disadvantaged youth in the Cape Town townships on a weekly basis. We are promoting these free classes which are run in Nyanga, Gugulethu and Khayelitsha at local schools on weekday afternoons.
‘Coaching for Hope’ and SCORE will be providing our youth (ages 10 – 18) with soccer training. The first session will be held in mid-March within the Southern Suburbs with one of the SCORE coaches with the aim of getting our adolescent group interested in free soccer mini-league coaching in Crossroads at the multi-purpose centre.
Ikapa Dance company will be offering dancing classes to our adolescent group during the year. We are aiming for one afternoon a month to start off with. Trying to logistically make a time for as many of our adolescents to come to a dance class is difficult, however we plan to include as many teens as we can. Holiday dance classes maybe the way of the future.
We have a UCT Masters student who is volunteering her time once a month with our adolescent group to teach art and crafts. Using the REPSSI educational centre a number of creative and educational classes will be held exploring individual and group identity and self expression.
A Resource Centre is currently taking shape in which resources including study opportunities, grant information, know your rights, compiling a CV, Further Education and Training options will be available to our adolescents and adult patients. The resource centre has already received its first batch of books and magazines from Soul City for educational reading and learning.
The Umuzi Photo Club has offered to mentor Kidzpositive staff in running a photographic project with a small group of adolescents. This is a project which will be investigated and followed in the future.
We have networked with ‘Dance For All’ outreach program who run dancing classes for disadvantaged youth in the Cape Town townships on a weekly basis. We are promoting these free classes which are run in Nyanga, Gugulethu and Khayelitsha at local schools on weekday afternoons.
‘Coaching for Hope’ and SCORE will be providing our youth (ages 10 – 18) with soccer training. The first session will be held in mid-March within the Southern Suburbs with one of the SCORE coaches with the aim of getting our adolescent group interested in free soccer mini-league coaching in Crossroads at the multi-purpose centre.
Ikapa Dance company will be offering dancing classes to our adolescent group during the year. We are aiming for one afternoon a month to start off with. Trying to logistically make a time for as many of our adolescents to come to a dance class is difficult, however we plan to include as many teens as we can. Holiday dance classes maybe the way of the future.
We have a UCT Masters student who is volunteering her time once a month with our adolescent group to teach art and crafts. Using the REPSSI educational centre a number of creative and educational classes will be held exploring individual and group identity and self expression.
A Resource Centre is currently taking shape in which resources including study opportunities, grant information, know your rights, compiling a CV, Further Education and Training options will be available to our adolescents and adult patients. The resource centre has already received its first batch of books and magazines from Soul City for educational reading and learning.
The Umuzi Photo Club has offered to mentor Kidzpositive staff in running a photographic project with a small group of adolescents. This is a project which will be investigated and followed in the future.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
How to become a Follower of our Blog
2010 is undoubtedly a very exciting year for Kidzpositive Family Fund, with lots on the agenda. With the World Cup coming our way very soon, our beadwork Mum's are busy collaboratively beading vuvuzela's. The adolescent group is growing, with more activities being added to our service. The G26 ward where one clinic is run is changing shape, monthly research meetings have been implemented and other activities continue to expand.
We have an exciting CYCLE TOUR coming up - with a team of 14 cyclists peddling from Hamberg in the Eastern Cape to Groote Schuur Hospital between the 24th and 1 May 2010.
Keeping you updated on our progress is enhanced through our Blogspot, and thus we encourage you all to become 'followers' of our cause. Click the Follower button on the right hand side of your screen above recent blogs written. Post us comments or questions, be as interactive as you like...
We look forward to sharing our journey with you.
We have an exciting CYCLE TOUR coming up - with a team of 14 cyclists peddling from Hamberg in the Eastern Cape to Groote Schuur Hospital between the 24th and 1 May 2010.
Keeping you updated on our progress is enhanced through our Blogspot, and thus we encourage you all to become 'followers' of our cause. Click the Follower button on the right hand side of your screen above recent blogs written. Post us comments or questions, be as interactive as you like...
We look forward to sharing our journey with you.
February
With a blink of an eye, January 2010 has passed by! A month of holidays for many, most staff at Kidzpositive Family Fund continued to work through the festive season, ensuring that project work continued and doctors were available to administer ARVs to children coming through the doors during December 2009 and early January 2010. February will prove to continue the cycle of busy schedules and growing projects, with an exciting adventure involving a collaborative team of cyclists riding from the Eastern Cape to Western Cape at the end of April... [more to come on this soon].
Being a short month, we hope to continue our work and improve our processes.
The adolescent clinic at the end of the month will it is hoped be full of exciting activities to engage our adolescents, offering extra curriculum activities aimed at self-expression and development.
Being a short month, we hope to continue our work and improve our processes.
The adolescent clinic at the end of the month will it is hoped be full of exciting activities to engage our adolescents, offering extra curriculum activities aimed at self-expression and development.
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