Making a Difference: Leanne Keet

Leanne Keet

It was my friend, Leanne Keet who got me thinking about the people who are out there getting on with making a difference. When she heard about my team-building day with the Delft Big Band she commented: "...there is no lack of opportunity in this country to make a difference. You just need to find the one that feeds your soul!" 

She should know, she is the founding director of Masikhule Childcare, an organisation which aims to provide practical and accessible training to unemployed women in aspects of early childhood development, with a view to finding employment.

So, what does she  do?

Concern for conditions in the creches and preschools in the townships and the lack of trained staff, led Leanne to start Masikhule Childcare. Its goal is to help ensure that underprivileged children living in the Helderberg and surrounding winelands regions of the Western Cape attend Early Childhood Development (ECD) facilities that provide a holistic child development and stimulation programme. ECD centres in the poorest communities are upgraded and mentored. Masikhule Childcare trains staff, volunteers and young mothers in the importance of early childhood development and stimulation. At the same time Masikhule Childcare is making a positive contribution to the eradication of poverty through its job creation and job placement programmes. 

The name Masikhule means ‘Let us Grow’ in isiXhosa. The first group of women who were trained pointed out that it was not only the children who would be growing and developing, but the women too. Recently, In honour of Women's Day on 9 August, Leanne was chosen as the winner of the PPS/Personal Finance Professional Woman of the Year (PWOTY) award, with the theme of the award being ‘Phakamisa’ meaning “to uplift” in Zulu. 

And, why does she do what she does?

"Because I can...I have the expertise and knowledge; there is a community who can benefit from this knowledge and as a South African I have an obligation to make a positive contribution. Everyone deserves the best start in life – and Masikhule Childcare is committed to providing just that to the most vulnerable of children."

Leanne's favourite quote, by Winston Churchill,  aptly sums up her approach:

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." 

Making a Difference, Building a Country

There will always be those who focus on the negative and try to drag others down with them. I am so tired of people who are convinced that the country is going down the drain. After being on the receiving end of just such a person's negativity recently, and bemoaning the fact that there is so much negative news around me, I have decided to dig up some positive news myself. 

Every week or so, I will write a short blog on the people around me who are just getting on with it and building a more positive SA - the ordinary people who are quietly making a difference without any fanfare. The plan is to have a short blog that answers two questions:

What do you do?

Why do you do it?

So, if you know of anyone out there who fits the profile, let me know and I will include them. Look out for Project Playground and Masikhule in my next blogs...

Exploring the Suburbs

So it's been three weeks since I started "walking for life" and I am certainly getting to know my suburb while getting fit and healthy. We are so fortunate to live in a city where nature abounds. So always the mountain is right there to keep me going...                   

 

There have been lots of people out for a walk now that the weather is warming up. I spotted this family out for a stroll...

 

...and the Vodacom man with a direct link...

 ...and walked up tree-lined hills...(see the mountain right there...). 

Yesterday a homeless couple were having a very loud fight, standing on opposite sides of the road, unperturbed by passing cars or people...the issues? He was demanding to know where his money was, and she was urging him to go to "the other woman". Seems the more you explore, the more things are just the same...

I cannot believe how much you miss out on when you drive rather than walk. 

Delft Big Band-Brass Machine - YouTube

Delft Big Band-Brass Machine - YouTube: "http://youtu.be/5dM-rCB6114"

'via Blog this'

Making a Difference - Meditation and Pizza

A community project which is very close to my heart is the Delft Big Band. I have previously written about the Magic in the Music and the group which went to Sweden last year to play at the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child awards ceremony. Since then I have become more involved and we are in the process of formalising the band as a Public Benefit Organisation.

The view from the guest house far away from Delft

For a while I have been planning a team-building day. Most of the interaction that they engage in is during practice or when they are playing gigs. And so Project Me came into being, since the overall aim was for them to get to know themselves – their worries, fears and hopes - and in turn, for us to get to know each other a bit better. On Saturday we had the use of a guesthouse right on the beach – far away from the daily grind of Delft.

They arrived at the guest house eyes popping at “the mansion” and ready to explore. But first, work to be done...They started off a little hesitantly, all shy and giggly but soon warmed up and were sharing hopes and fears, what made them angry, and worries about their futures. We explored using art collages, trust exercises and played games. The poem Lost Generation, had them shaking their heads in agreement and in awe of how effective a mind shift could be.

Lunch was simple pizzas (we were having a braai later) then some more work. We ended the day with a meditation. I had distinct feeling that they were wondering what strange activities I would next be expecting from them as they lay down on the floor but soon everyone was passed out, mouths open, some snoring. Then it was time to chill - the beach beckoned, fires were made, there were marshmallows to toast, music to listen to...

On the evaluation form I got them to fill in, the best things about the day were meditation and pizza...Sometimes you have those days when life just makes sense and the simple things you do make such a difference to someone’s life that you are humbled. 

You may also like Magic in the Music 2 and Magic in  the Music for sure!

Staying in Touch

Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam

So there I was pouring my heart out to my husband over Skype, when next thing I am talking to the corner of the ceiling in his hotel room in Shanghai, while he adjusted the volume. It kind of broke the moment. Sometimes modern technology is not all it's cracked up to be...or maybe it's the powers that be who complicate matters so? You'd swear we were trying to get through to heaven. 

My husband has been in China for ten days now and we have had a fair amount of contact via email, Blackberry Messenger and the occasional good old-fashioned telephone call. Skype has been a bit irritating as the connection is not always very clear. And then he also keeps fiddling with it so that I find myself talking to his left ear or chin, just when I have something rather important to share. 

He's not doing very well with the jet lag and so we are having chats at 21h00 South African time when it's 03h00 in China! I am not sure how he is functioning in meetings during the day. I am not complaining as it's good to know that there's someone on the other side of the world to talk to at any time. 

Usually, he likes to catch up with my blog when he is away - he is one of my silent followers who never leaves comments - but this time, horror of horrors (!) he has discovered that the blogger site has been blocked. I certainly don't have anything that needs to be censored in my blog, or so I believe, but I think that it's the whole site and more, which he cannot access. It's a reminder to not take free speech for granted and to keep fighting for it when we do have it. 

Meanwhile I await his return when he can read my blogs at home...and not comment. 

Lost Generation?

I came across this brilliant poem a little while ago. It was written by Jonathan Reed for a video competition where entrants had to describe their vision for their future. At first reading it is rather depressing:

Lost Generation by Jonathan Reed

I am part of a lost generation

and I refuse to believe that

I can change the world

I realize this may be a shock but

“Happiness comes from within.”

is a lie, and

“Money will make me happy.”

So in 30 years I will tell my children

they are not the most important thing in my life

My employer will know that

I have my priorities straight because

work

is more important than

family

I tell you this

Once upon a time

Families stayed together

but this will not be true in my era

This is a quick fix society

Experts tell me

30 years from now, I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce

I do not concede that

I will live in a country of my own making

In the future

Environmental destruction will be the norm

No longer can it be said that

My peers and I care about this earth

It will be evident that

My generation is apathetic and lethargic

It is foolish to presume that

There is hope.

Now read it from the bottom up...and, voila!...a completely different perspective. Sometimes we just need to step out of the box and look at the situation from another angle. Tomorrow I am going to be running a workshop for a community youth project and I am going to read it to them. More of that later...

Stop and Smell the Roses

When I went outside this morning (to see if Spring had returned after the rain over the weekend!) I was met by this glorious red rose still wet with rain drops. And with a heavenly smell to match. I am very pleased with this picture I took with my Blackberry phone. They say the best  camera is the one that you have.

There is a certain mystery about roses which dates back thousands of years. Roses have been found in Egyptian tombs where there is evidence of its use in religious ceremonies. The Romans started the custom of scattering rose petals on the bridal bed to ensure a happy marriage, and hung roses from the ceilings during banquets to protect themselves from drunkenness.

Sometime around the 10th century, a Persian called Avicenna, first distilled essential oil from the rose. Only a small amount of oil can be extracted from the petals which have to be hand-picked during a very short period when the plant blooms, leading to the high cost of pure rose oil.  Four kilograms of petals are needed for just one gram of oil!

In Aromatherapy, rose oil is traditionally recommended during childbirth, to balance the hormones during menopause, as a skin tonic (for eczema or aging skin) and can also be used for stress and anxiety. It can be nurturing and balancing and deeply relaxing. 

Bulgaria and Turkey produce the best quality oil which has a geranium-like scent whereas the oil from Egypt and Morocco smells more like the flower itself, but has a different chemical composition. Rose essence is also widely used in the perfume and cosmetic industry as well as in food flavouring. And what can be more elegant than a simple chocolate cake decorated with rose petals? 

Take time to stop and smell the roses...

Making Mountains Metaphors

Kai at the summit of Mt Kenya

I am constantly amazed at the calibre of youth the new South Africa is producing - environmentally aware, socially responsible and enthusiastic and motivated. Like our young friend, Kai Fitchen who at just 18 years of age has recently returned from a five-month trip from Cape Town to Kenya, ending with the summit of Mount Kenya.

Kai in conversation with local kids

The aims of the trip were to travel sustainably, raise awareness of environmental issues among school children, and to climb Mt Kenya, the second highest peak in Africa. 

Sustainable travel involved using public transport as far as possible - buses, taxis, trains and at times bicycles. Although he had some hair-raising experiences (drunk bus drivers, fights breaking out on trains) he found the public transport at least 90% reliable and was able to get there and back in one piece. 

washing hands - water sanitation program
in Malawi

In the various villages where he stopped he visited schools, engaging with children creatively, spending time outdoors and discussing the way environmental issues were personally affecting their lives. Living in a town like Livingstone with Victoria Falls as a background makes it easy to engage with nature. Deforestation is a very real problem for them and Kai had Greenpop (a social enterprise involved in urban greening and reforestation) as a support.  In Malawi, sanitation was the burning issue.

Mt Kenya, although not quite as high as the very popular Kilimanjaro, is technically a much more difficult climb. Added to that was the sleet, rock falls and cold winds to contend with while living on a diet of peanuts and bananas. But Kai describes the experience as "humbling, the best experience I have ever had...to see the potential in Southern Africa...". He is already talking about the next trip...what an inspiration!

For more about his trip, visit:

 KAPE 2 KENYA 2012

http://www.kape2kenya.com

http://greensparks-kai.blogspot.com/

Pictures are courtesy of Kai Fitchen

Michelangelo's David - Withstanding Time

On this day in 1504 the statue of David by Michelangelo was unveiled outside the Palazzo della Signoria in Firenze. The statue was originally supposed to be one of many which would adorn buttresses of the Duomo. However, it was not deemed fit for the original commission and it stood outside the Palazzo for hundreds of years, withstanding time and the elements before being moved into the Galleria Accademia.

The David is splendid, as we experienced on a recent trip to Italy.  It's an unusual statue, because the boy is depicted in the moments before he attacked Goliath.  Most statues at the time showed the moments after David had cut off Goliath’s head. Of course we have to remember that any art is merely the artist’s impression. The David of the Bible was a young boy and could not have been quite so god-like in physique. Michelangelo was certainly showing off his knowledge of anatomy.

It was rather disconcerting to discover that the statue is slowly leaning over as a result of the erosion. Movement detectors have been employed to monitor any shift in the statue and plans are afoot to counter any damage. All those years standing outside have taken their toll, but isn't it amazing that something which was created hundreds of years ago is now being rescued by modern technology?

No photographs are allowed inside. “But if you want, you can take a picture of the pink David in the courtyard,” our guide informed us. There was a concurrent exhibition of modern art at the gallery and the garish pink David with yellow hair (including his pubic hair) and blue eyes must be making Michelangelo roll over in his grave. I couldn't bring myself to take a picture.  This photo of Statue of David is courtesy of TripAdvisor.

You can read more about this in today’s edition of the Writers’ Almanac:

http://www.elabs7.com/ct.html?ufl=1&rtr=on&s=fj6,xlbe,dv,5zj0,89j,2jvk,18ki

Run/Walk for Life

If this little flower can hold on for the spring , so can I!

Ah! Dare I say it? Spring is here at last! It is no longer pitch dark when I get up in the morning and today the temperature hovered around 20 degrees for most of the day. The bright sunshine made me feel like a dance around a Maypole or some such northern hemisphere practice.

A combination of winter, travelling, being sick, no yoga, and no walking, has left me feeling sluggish, fed up and unhealthy. So I have cut my hair (a woman always means business when she cuts her hair) and I have just been checking out Run/Walk for Life. I really need to up my cardio-vascular exercise, for my health and weight. I hate the gym, I have tried boot camp and walking by myself is not getting the desired result. So drastic situations call for drastic measures…

Actually, it looks more than manageable and not quite so drastic…the program is well-monitored and formulated to progress gradually.  So far, the people I have met seem pleasant and supportive. After two sessions I have learned to walk using my arms (felt those muscles the next day!) and have managed to get the pulse racing. I enjoy walking and being outside; I feel like I am in training for long forest walks...

Run/Walk for Life is Proudly South African and is endorsed by the Heart Foundation of South Africa. What’s more, the program is run right here in the neighbourhood. So come on summer! I am ready to go!

You may also like: Spring has Sprung and To Carbo-load or Not  and Couch Potatoes and Olympic Glory 

Harvesting Medals at the Paralympics

We are off to a good start at the 2012 Paralympics being hosted in London at the moment – ten medals at my last count. Expectations are high: at the 2008 Paralympics South Africa brought home no less than 30 medals.

The opening ceremony last Wednesday evening was a colourful and joyous affair with athletes from countries which had me scratching my head to remember where on earth they were! Many of the countries - Samoa, Madagascar and Rwanda - had not had any athletes at the Olympics. Some of the countries, like China, have sent teams of 100s of athletes while others have only 5 or 6.  The South African team consists of 65 athletes - so if we keep to our pattern from the last games, we should do an average of almost every second athlete a medal...not bad.

It was interesting watching the opening parade and seeing the variety of disabilities - I wonder what the statistics are regarding the types of injuries, the causes and severity. Countries like Rwanda and Iran or Palestine would have injuries as a result of war and civil unrest whereas other countries may have disabilities more as a result of motor vehicle accidents, crime or birth abnormalities.

In order to ensure fairness, the athletes are classified into different categories, which can be a little confusing. Sometimes you might see someone breaking a world or Olympic record but not winning the race. This is because they might be classified differently to others in the race, e.g. single or double amputees.

The Paralympics which are presently the second largest sporting event after the Olympics has its origins in the 1948 Wheelchair Games, the brainchild of Dr Ludwig Guttmann who worked at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England. As an occupational therapy student, I remember that this hospital was held up as an example of excellence when it came to the rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injuries.

The first Paralympics was held in 1960 in Italy with only athletes in wheelchairs competing. Now the range of disabilities has extended to include with people with cerebral palsy, hearing and visual handicaps, amputations and more. Take a look if you want to be inspired by how the human spirit can overcome adversity and excel.

The Paralympics are live on DSTV’s SuperSport 6 Channel with coverage on SABC 3. The Games run until 8 September, with the closing ceremony on the 9th.