June 2008 - Xenophobia in Cape Town

The xenophobic violence that exploded in South Africa during the past month touched us all - local South Africans of all races, foreigners from all over the globe, and very especially continues to touch those that were affected in more tangible ways. As you probably know and have followed in the media, as well as through our site (www.warehouse.org.za), The Warehouse team have been involved in a high-level and concentrated way in the response to the crisis as people fled their homes in reaction to violent threats. We continue to do so in ways that go beyond relief and crisis mode, and towards rehabilitation, reintegration and development. Our city is under great strain with thousands of people being displaced.

This current crisis aside, for many Cape Tonians on all sides of the African fence, life is a daily struggle as the gap widens between those with wealth and those who are struggling to find work in a society with an unemployment rate of around 40%. Inadequate housing is a reality for around 69% of the population and the HIV rate is around 35%. These statistics of the Western Cape are concentrated and amplified in the Sweet Home Farm community on the outskirts of the city.

Originally a rubble dump, Sweet Home Farm is an informal settlement that is now home to approximately 12 000 people. It is still largely undeveloped in terms of access to water and electricity. "One of the problems is that half of the land is council land and the other half is privately owned, so the council cannot put in amenities like electricity and water," explains Siya Goodman James, a resident who works with Joy Klimbasha in the community, and is employed by The Warehouse.

Community leaders estimate that the unemployment rate is a shocking 70% and malnutrition and other social ills that go with poverty, pervade. "One of the most worrying things is the lack of access to education in the community," says Ntlalo Mgadela, a member of the community and youth worker, "And the children have to walk or go by buses to schools in other areas." He goes on to explain how the lack of ability to provide for one's family has resulted in many fathers losing hope completely as they watch their children struggle and not get the opportunity for a better life. "This leads to breakdown of the family unit," he said, "And it's soul destroying for the men in the community." The HIV/Aids rate is very high and the only clinic in the area services children and TB patients only.

It is into this scenario that Joy Klimbasha of The Warehouse is working and bringing both spiritual and physical hope to members of an often forgotten community, and sharing the love of Christ. His work there has brought other people alongside in the vision, such as members of the community, Siya Goodman James and Ntlalo Mgandela. "I want to help raise up other leaders to share in this ministry," says Joy, "And put effort into these young people who love their community and are committed to seeing God bring change." These are the areas of ministry that are already in process at the initiation of Joy during the past three years and form part of the church plant that is underway in partnership with St Pauls, Philippi.

Senior Citizens' Club
This group of around 30 elderly people meets three times a week in a shack that they had built especially for the club. They discuss issues pertaining to their community, are equipped for various things such as how to access government grants, as well as encouraged in God's Word. They are always looking for ways of income generation, and recently started a beadwork project that has already sold a few items.

HIV/Aids Support Group
This group of around 20 people meets on a weekly basis, mainly to support eachother through the burdensome challenges of living with HIV in economically challenging circumstances. "They share their burdens and talk, and we all enjoy a meal together," explains Joy, "As well as giving out food parcels once a month." The emotional support that they give eachother is also of great value. Recently a family threw their HIV-positive daughter out of their home for various reasons, but with Joy's intervention, she is back with her family and the mediation and support of the support group is the reason.

Creche
"Educate a child, educate a nation" comes into play when one sees how many children in Sweet Homes Farm are going to have limited access to the kind of most basic education that they need to be given a fair chance. The creche that Joy and three women from the community started and operate out of two containers, caters for sixty children. Joy, Siya and The Warehouse walks alongside these women and supports them in their vision to give these children a head-start before they enter the broader schooling system.

Teenage Groups
The gathering of young people by Joy and Goodman is a recent development and centres around education, teaching, outings and meals together. "The main aim is to take them away from the places like shebeens. We talk about teenage pregnancy, HIV awareness, peer pressure, substance abuse - things that these young people are facing every day," says Siya.

It is exciting to see what God is doing in the Sweet Home Farm community and we are eager to join Him as we serve this often-forgotten part of the Cape Town community. What was especially encouraging and shed hope when many were losing it, was the way that the Sweet Home Farm community responded to the xenophobic violence. The community, as a whole, made a stand against the sweeping violence and communicated a 'sign' of the Kingdom of God - simply by not following the wordly sentiment of pushing foreigners out. This is seeing God's Kingdom come, in small but significant ways.

Joy on his VukaJoy on his Vuka

Joy and Goodman in Sweet Home FarmJoy and Goodman in Sweet Home Farm

OFF THE SHELVES

Care for Kids
Over 550 children from 319 families are currently being supported by Care for Kids, under the auspices of nine local churches who have taken the biblical mandate "To care for the orphans in our midst" seriously. There are other church communities who are exploring the Care for Kids programme and the possibility of starting to care for children in their areas, and that is encouraging. It was also helpful to see 57 volunteers receiving on-the-job training during the past few months. "Over the past few months God has been challenging us to scale up and address the real size of the orphan problem in Cape Town and determine if we can manage to support 10 000 children using a diversity of interventions and a network of Christian organisations," says Erica Greathead, Project Co-ordinator.

Fusion
This past month the Fusion team gathered some of the High Risk Youth from Manenberg for a Prayer/Reflection time using the Catholic Church hall. The Team initiated the idea of starting some regular prayer and reflection times, and the positive response from this first gathering, has lead Grant, Jonathan and Wim (the local Catholic priest) to believe that this is something to pursue on a bi-weekly basis. "Watching the way these 8 young men responded and their insight into their lives meant a lot. These guys have been labelled 'losers', but yet their own ability to reflect themselves as so much more than that, was inspiring for me," says Grant Stewart.

Workspring
Workspring participated in the African Enterprise Urban Economic Development Forum for the local church, where the team gave valuable input on a model of income generation through the Workspring model, as well as on understanding savings as a means of micro-finance. Our participation there was significant as there are not many known models yet in local church communities, and regional forums will grow out of this networking opportunity. The programme and material is being piloted through Khanyisa Community Church in Guguletu, and the Church of the Resurrection in Bonteheuwel. This is an exciting development as both groups are being run by trained facilitators, as opposed to The Warehouse Workspring staff.

Gleaning
The past few weeks have been very full and literally truckloads of goods have passed through The Warehouse doors as we helped the churches respond to the growing crisis unfolding around us. Whilst the refugee crisis certainly drew much of our time and energy in recent weeks, it was encouraging for the team to see God doing exactly what He has promised, through The Warehouse's mandate to serve the church in its response to poverty and injustice. "God spoke clearly about the stars in the night sky getting brighter as the sky got darker," explains Caroline Powell, "And when there was heightened need during this time of crisis, it was lovely to see the churches being exactly that ... the stars shining in the growing darkness as they responded in practical acts of kindness." It's been great to see linking of churches who want to respond to the poverty in our city and surrounds beyond the crisis and to all people living within our borders, regardless of heritage and roots.

Christian Social Development Training
A highlight for us has been completing the first module and starting the second module of the Transformation course run with 15 people from various churches and organisations who wish to be trained in responding to the call for effective community development. "It has been very exciting to see the interactions, learnings and sharing of experiences during the training," says Colleen Saunders, Programme Co-ordinator, "And our mentoring visits were encouraging as participants really seem to have taken to heart what they are learning. We continue to be affirmed and humbled by each workshop as people express their appreciation for training that incorporates and recognises God, His power and His purposes."

Worth Quoting:
"The measure of a man or woman is in how they treat someone who can do nothing for them."

"Dont' opress the alien in your midst." Jeremiah 7:6

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June 2008 - Xenophobia in Cape Town

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As you probably know and have followed in the media, as well as through our site (www.warehouse.org.za), The Warehouse team have been involved in a high-level and concentrated way in the response to the crisis as people fled their homes in reaction to violent threats. We continue to do so in ways that go beyond relief and crisis mode, and towards rehabilitation, reintegration and development. Our city is under great strain with thousands of people being displaced. This current crisis aside, for many Cape Tonians on all sides of the African fence, life is a daily struggle as the gap widens between those with wealth and those who are struggling to find work in a society with an unemployment rate of around 40%. Inadequate housing is a reality for around 69% of the population and the HIV rate is around 35%. These statistics of the Western Cape are concentrated and amplified in the Sweet Home Farm community on the outskirts of the city. Originally a rubble dump, Sweet Home Farm is an informal settlement that is now home to approximately 12 000 people. It is still largely undeveloped in terms of access to water and electricity. "One of the problems is that half of the land is council land and the other half is privately owned, so the council cannot put in amenities like electricity and water," explains Siya Goodman James, a resident who works with Joy Klimbasha in the community, and is employed by The Warehouse. Community leaders estimate that the unemployment rate is a shocking 70% and malnutrition and other social ills that go with poverty, pervade. "One of the most worrying things is the lack of access to education in the community," says Ntlalo Mgadela, a member of the community and youth worker, "And the children have to walk or go by buses to schools in other areas." He goes on to explain how the lack of ability to provide for one's family has resulted in many fathers losing hope completely as they watch their children struggle and not get the opportunity for a better life. "This leads to breakdown of the family unit," he said, "And it's soul destroying for the men in the community." The HIV/Aids rate is very high and the only clinic in the area services children and TB patients only. It is into this scenario that Joy Klimbasha of The Warehouse is working and bringing both spiritual and physical hope to members of an often forgotten community, and sharing the love of Christ. His work there has brought other people alongside in the vision, such as members of the community, Siya Goodman James and Ntlalo Mgandela. "I want to help raise up other leaders to share in this ministry," says Joy, "And put effort into these young people who love their community and are committed to seeing God bring change." These are the areas of ministry that are already in process at the initiation of Joy during the past three years and form part of the church plant that is underway in partnership with St Pauls, Philippi. Senior Citizens' Club This group of around 30 elderly people meets three times a week in a shack that they had built especially for the club. They discuss issues pertaining to their community, are equipped for various things such as how to access government grants, as well as encouraged in God's Word. They are always looking for ways of income generation, and recently started a beadwork project that has already sold a few items. HIV/Aids Support Group This group of around 20 people meets on a weekly basis, mainly to support eachother through the burdensome challenges of living with HIV in economically challenging circumstances. "They share their burdens and talk, and we all enjoy a meal together," explains Joy, "As well as giving out food parcels once a month." The emotional support that they give eachother is also of great value. Recently a family threw their HIV-positive daughter out of their home for various reasons, but with Joy's intervention, she is back with her family and the mediation and support of the support group is the reason. Creche "Educate a child, educate a nation" comes into play when one sees how many children in Sweet Homes Farm are going to have limited access to the kind of most basic education that they need to be given a fair chance. The creche that Joy and three women from the community started and operate out of two containers, caters for sixty children. Joy, Siya and The Warehouse walks alongside these women and supports them in their vision to give these children a head-start before they enter the broader schooling system. Teenage Groups The gathering of young people by Joy and Goodman is a recent development and centres around education, teaching, outings and meals together. "The main aim is to take them away from the places like shebeens. We talk about teenage pregnancy, HIV awareness, peer pressure, substance abuse - things that these young people are facing every day," says Siya. It is exciting to see what God is doing in the Sweet Home Farm community and we are eager to join Him as we serve this often-forgotten part of the Cape Town community. What was especially encouraging and shed hope when many were losing it, was the way that the Sweet Home Farm community responded to the xenophobic violence. The community, as a whole, made a stand against the sweeping violence and communicated a 'sign' of the Kingdom of God - simply by not following the wordly sentiment of pushing foreigners out. This is seeing God's Kingdom come, in small but significant ways. Joy on his VukaJoy on his Vuka Joy and Goodman in Sweet Home FarmJoy and Goodman in Sweet Home Farm OFF THE SHELVES Care for Kids Over 550 children from 319 families are currently being supported by Care for Kids, under the auspices of nine local churches who have taken the biblical mandate "To care for the orphans in our midst" seriously. There are other church communities who are exploring the Care for Kids programme and the possibility of starting to care for children in their areas, and that is encouraging. It was also helpful to see 57 volunteers receiving on-the-job training during the past few months. "Over the past few months God has been challenging us to scale up and address the real size of the orphan problem in Cape Town and determine if we can manage to support 10 000 children using a diversity of interventions and a network of Christian organisations," says Erica Greathead, Project Co-ordinator. Fusion This past month the Fusion team gathered some of the High Risk Youth from Manenberg for a Prayer/Reflection time using the Catholic Church hall. The Team initiated the idea of starting some regular prayer and reflection times, and the positive response from this first gathering, has lead Grant, Jonathan and Wim (the local Catholic priest) to believe that this is something to pursue on a bi-weekly basis. "Watching the way these 8 young men responded and their insight into their lives meant a lot. These guys have been labelled 'losers', but yet their own ability to reflect themselves as so much more than that, was inspiring for me," says Grant Stewart. Workspring Workspring participated in the African Enterprise Urban Economic Development Forum for the local church, where the team gave valuable input on a model of income generation through the Workspring model, as well as on understanding savings as a means of micro-finance. Our participation there was significant as there are not many known models yet in local church communities, and regional forums will grow out of this networking opportunity. The programme and material is being piloted through Khanyisa Community Church in Guguletu, and the Church of the Resurrection in Bonteheuwel. This is an exciting development as both groups are being run by trained facilitators, as opposed to The Warehouse Workspring staff. Gleaning The past few weeks have been very full and literally truckloads of goods have passed through The Warehouse doors as we helped the churches respond to the growing crisis unfolding around us. Whilst the refugee crisis certainly drew much of our time and energy in recent weeks, it was encouraging for the team to see God doing exactly what He has promised, through The Warehouse's mandate to serve the church in its response to poverty and injustice. "God spoke clearly about the stars in the night sky getting brighter as the sky got darker," explains Caroline Powell, "And when there was heightened need during this time of crisis, it was lovely to see the churches being exactly that ... the stars shining in the growing darkness as they responded in practical acts of kindness." It's been great to see linking of churches who want to respond to the poverty in our city and surrounds beyond the crisis and to all people living within our borders, regardless of heritage and roots. Christian Social Development Training A highlight for us has been completing the first module and starting the second module of the Transformation course run with 15 people from various churches and organisations who wish to be trained in responding to the call for effective community development. "It has been very exciting to see the interactions, learnings and sharing of experiences during the training," says Colleen Saunders, Programme Co-ordinator, "And our mentoring visits were encouraging as participants really seem to have taken to heart what they are learning. We continue to be affirmed and humbled by each workshop as people express their appreciation for training that incorporates and recognises God, His power and His purposes." Worth Quoting: "The measure of a man or woman is in how they treat someone who can do nothing for them." "Dont' opress the alien in your midst." Jeremiah 7:6 login to post comments Back Home	South Africa is one of the most economically unequal societies in the world Unemployment exceeds 40% in many Cape Town communities HIV infection rates are around 30% in Cape Town Read Ezekiel 16. 49-50 The Warehouse on Facebook Navigation blog blogs Who's online There are currently 0 users and 2 guests online. [login]