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Southern Gauteng Annual Festival 2012

On Sunday 24 June, St Vincent de Paul, Bryanston attended the Southern Gauteng Annual Festival, held at La Salle College, Discovery. Despite being a cold, winter's day, the festival was well attended by Conferences from City and Northerns, Soweto and the West Rand.

Monica & Evandrie

Members 'warming up' in the sun before the festival starts

Seated and ready!

The festival started with a welcome and introduction by Roy, the new incoming president of Southern Gauteng. This was followed by feedback from the various Conferences. 

Evandrie providing feedback for City & Northerns

Monica presenting for Bryanston

This was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Conferences, in particular their successes and challenges-a perfect platform to learn from each other so that we can better fulfill our mission.

The festival was closed off with mass where new members were dedicated. We also had the handing over of presidency to Roy and Monica as the new presidents of Southern Gauteng and Bryanston respectively. We wish them both the best!!

Out-going (Sue & Roy) & in-coming (Roy & Monica) presidents

Visits Update

On a recent visit, we were blessed with youth who accompanied the Saturday team on visits to our families in Diepsloot.

Youth with Br Thokozani, Sue and Gerry visiting Nomalanga and family

We encourage and WELCOME any youth interested in accompanying us on visits.

 

The Wednesday team distributed blankets on their last visit for May. Below are pictures of families members visited.

Precious and her baby David

 

Nsondise's little boy fast asleep on her back

Another Special Thanks...

The Saturday morning craft classes at Bona Lesedi in Dieplsoot have been progressing well since its inception. Here the ladies pose with their newly acquired sewing machine which was donated by a generous donor from Bryanston Parish.

We would also like to thank the anonymous donor who knitted wonderful, warm baby clothes and blankets. These were distributed to the babies we visit in Diepsloot.

Thanks Bryanston Parish!

Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation, on behalf of the families we serve, to the parishioners of Bryanston for their continued support and generosity.

April Social

Our monthly social held in April 2012, was a bitter sweet occasion. We bid farewell to Shirley- thanks Shirley for all your hard work over the years. We wish you and your family well as you begin this new chapter.

Shirley with Emmi and family

Roy toasting Shirley

We also welcomed back Monica from her overseas stint.

Monica, Diana and Les

Monica, Gladys, Evandrie and Carlene

A big thanks to our chef for the evening, Evandrie, for a huge delicious pot of breyani!

Christmas Party 2011!

Our annual Christmas Party for our families from Diepsloot took place on 3 December 2011 at Brescia House Sports grounds. We were blessed with wonderful weather-clear, blue skies-perfect for a braai; and the fun and games lined up.

Jumping castle fun

Face painting-a big hit!

Present time

Let the games begin!

The day went off well, and was enjoyed by all. Thanks to all who contributed to making it a success-a special thanks to the JAM team who volunteered their time and assisted us. We look forward to the next one- December 2012- here we come!

Home After

Home Before

A family who we visit near Diepsloot.

Hand-made products for sale from the Art & Craft group in Diepsloot led by Annette on Saturday mornings. The group started in Feb 2011 and before then the ladies had no experience in embroidery, sewing or knitting. Contact Roy Hawkins if you want to buy some of these great items.

Amy Kleinhans-Curd, her daughter and SSVP members assist a family whose home recently burnt down in Diepsloot.

Much thanks goes to those at PLP who generously donated many needed goods at short notice for this family in need.

A few weeks ago I, Jacqui, sent out an emergency appeal for assistance for one of our Wednesday members, Esnart. The response was overwhelming. I cannot tell you how much it meant to all of us who visited her last Wednesday; we felt like a group of Guardian Angels thanks to all of you. The photos tell the story though I will give a brief description to explain more comprehensively.

As we unloaded all of your kind donations Esnart's eyes just filled with tears until she started crying. It was such a good feeling doing what we have been called to do - on that day we collectively improved the lives of a family of God's most needy. She now has more than enough blankets and bedding for the family, lots of food to tide her over, a gel stove, toys for the children, clothes for them all and some money. We all know that it will not last forever but I will work closely with Queenie to see how we can make an impact in the longer term. For now, Esnart's family is warmer, better fed, and a little happier with life thanks to you all.

Jacqui's husband's car brimming with donations - pic on right above

Bec (on the right) is an SVDP member working here but based in Australia - with her is a friend out from Australia.

The outside of Esnart's shack. As you can see, there is space to increase its size within her plot.

This is the extent of the shack inside - I took this photo from the doorway. There is one double bed for six people and no cupboard within which to store to hang things. The shack has lots of holes in it which let in the cold and the rain. This is definitely an area we can help to improve for her.

The giant hedgehog on the bed is courtesy of Bryan Rix!!

Thank you very very much to the anonymous donor who generously donated this wheelchair to Gift, who is deaf and blind.

Until now, his mother and other family members have had to carry him each day to a taxi rank to take him to the nearby disability therapy care centre, Bona Lesedi. She gratefully and thankfully accepted this wheelchair that will now make a huge difference to the lives of everyone in the family.

Sophie has a practical means of transporting her food and blanket!

Sophie and Queenie

Lies and Cathy trying to make food parcels go the extra mile for two desperate residents of Diepsloot we met today.

whilst Mum sorts out food and blankets, the children do what children do best- play

warm and enjoying it!