1 September 2010

In celebration of Spring Day, Helping Hand yesterday spoiled the toddlers at Beit-Lechm Nursery School in Krugersdorp with a spring-flower lunchbox party in conjunction with the popular singer Nedine Blom. The 52 needy toddlers were spoiled with party lunchboxes, nutritional drinks and educational colouring books that stimulate holistic development.

Blom is currently setting the fun reader Die avonture van Pieter Paddavis en Lientjie Lier to music.

The lunchbox party was an initiative of Helping Hand’s newly established women’s organisation, Women in Action. The party formed part of Helping Hand’s existing national Lunchbox Project that kicked off in June this year.

In the course of the project, Helping Hand branches join hands with underprivileged toddlers across South Africa. In addition to the distribution of lunchboxes and food coupons at schools, branches can use their own initiative in offering programmes that focus on the intellectual and motor skills development of the child.

Research recently released by Helping Hand showed that underprivileged nursery schools have a severe shortage of educational material for speech and motor skills development as well as creative stimulation.

According to Dr. Danie Langner, executive director of Helping Hand, 80% of a child’s brain function develops before the age of six. “Many toddlers in underprivileged areas are environmentally deprived. Without the necessary stimulation, these toddlers are therefore not ready to go to school at the age of six,” Langner said.

According to him, underprivileged nursery schools often provide the toddlers there with the only meals they get each day. “Helping Hand is tackling the problem by means of feeding schemes at impoverished nursery schools, training teachers and distributing educational material in Afrikaans,” Langner said.

Bibles handed out in white squatter camp in Bredell

Solidarity Helping Hand handed out Afrikaans Bibles at the Bredell squatter camp in the East Rand on Thursday, 26 August in celebration of the 77^th anniversary of the Afrikaans Bible. This action, held in conjunction with the Bible Society of South Africa and the Gideons Bible Society, was aimed at providing Afrikaans Bibles to underprivileged people in the East Rand.

The anniversary celebrations coincided with the Teachers’ Conference of the Afrikaanse Taalraad that is being held at the Artscape theatre in Cape Town. According to the South African Bible Society, which celebrated its 190^th anniversary this week, Afrikaans is the home language of close to six million South Africans. Research carried out by Helping Hand in white squatter camps shows that many underprivileged Afrikaners do not have Bibles.

Dr Danie Langner, executive director of Solidarity Helping Hand, said it was a privilege for Helping Hand to hand out Afrikaans Bibles to underprivileged people who cannot afford Bibles. “The Rev. JD Kestell, the father of the 1933 Afrikaans Bible, was deeply touched by the growing poverty among Afrikaners during his early years as a minister. He therefore decided to devote his life to the social and spiritual upliftment of impoverished Afrikaners,” Langner said.

Helping Hand launched the JD Kestell Memorial Fund during the anniversary of the 1939 Relief Action League at the Voortrekker Monument in October 2009. The purpose of the JD Kestell Memorial Fund is to recognise the significant contribution that Kestell made to finding solutions for the first two poor white problems and to developing the notion of upliftment through training. “The purpose of the Fund is to deal with the spiritual, cultural and social need among impoverished Afrikaans youth,” according to Langner.

The first Afrikaans Bible

The first Afrikaans Bible was published on 27 August 1933. The Bible Society of South Africa published a new translation of the Afrikaans Bible in 1983. In 2008, the Bible Society made history again by publishing the first Afrikaans Bible for the Deaf. This Bible for the Deaf is the second Bible worldwide that was printed especially for deaf people.

Listen what training for fitters and turners entail

Article on fitters and turners

There is a great demand for technically trained people in the South African economy. In 2006 only 3 400 artisans in the metal industry received training, compared with approximately 13 000 in 1982. Fitters and turners are highly trained artisans who design, manufacture and assemble components for machinery, vehicles, installations and other equipment. Solidarity’s technical college Sol-Tech focuses on fitting and turning as a scarce skill.

The fitting and turning qualification is aimed at equipping students with the necessary skills to work efficiently in any industry and to meet the challenges of the engineering assembly and machining environment. The main skills that are recognised in this course are the ability to identify faults, techniques of dismantling, maintenance of equipment, repair and installation of mechanical components and how to repair equipment efficiently during production. These capabilities require an understanding of machining theory, machine functions and maintenance, engineering equipment and principles of geometry and engineering drawing. Manual dexterity plays an important role in this course.

The field of engineering machining is characterised by the work-to-order, low-volume manufacture of components by means of different machining methods for use in a variety of industries, including the automotive, metal, appliance manufacturing, plastic, tyre and rubber industries. People working in the engineering machining field require specialised technical skills and knowledge, as well as highly developed hand skills in order to adapt to and meet the requirements of the constantly changing products that are manufactured.

The field of engineering assembly is characterised by the provision of engineering maintenance, repair and installation services and support in a variety of industries. The equipment required for these services and support range from sophisticated equipment to outdated single station machines.

The course for fitters and turners consists of three levels. Each level comprises six months of theoretical and simulation training in a monitored environment and six months of practical training in the industry.

Thought for the week:

“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.” 1 Cor. 12:12

Quote for the week:

“He who has learned to work without complaining has found one of the best ways to make life bearable.” ? Voltaire

24 August 2010

Solidarity Helping Hand today warned that the lack of state subsidies to underprivileged nursery schools is depriving thousands of young children of a nursery school education. According to Dr Danie Langer, executive director of Solidarity Helping Hand, a lack of nursery school education results in environmentally deprived preschoolers who often fall behind early in the school system and consequently do not complete their schooling. In 2000 the government already started phasing out departmental nursery schools, which receive state subsidies.

Research recently released by Helping Hand shows that underprivileged nursery schools do not have access to any state subsidy or support. As a result, impoverished nursery schools struggle to subsidise underprivileged children. According to Langner, hundreds of young children in squatter camps and underprivileged areas are consequently deprived of a nursery school education.

“It is a well-known fact that 80% of a child’s brain functions develop before the age of six years. In other words, there are tremendous implications for children who do not attend nursery schools,” Langner said.

According to him, the foundation of school readiness is laid in nursery schools. “Many of the children in squatter camps are environmentally deprived, are not stimulated intellectually at all and are therefore not ready to go to school at the age of six. As a result, they struggle even to pass grade 1,” Langner said.

All 22 of the underprivileged nursery schools included in the survey had a drastic shortage of funds. According to the report, there is also a shortage of educational material for speech and language development, motor development, development of emotional intelligence, as well as creative stimulation. Many teachers have indicated that handling emotionally confused and neglected children is also a problem.

“In many Afrikaans nursery schools in poor areas the teachers often do not even have a matric certificate,” Langner said.

According to the report, the need in Afrikaans nursery schools is on three main levels: a lack of food, teachers who are not adequately qualified and a lack of good books to stimulate children’s development at a cognitive level.

“Helping Hand is tackling the problem by means of feeding schemes at impoverished nursery schools, training teachers and distributing educational material in Afrikaans,” Langner said. According to him, there is an enormous need for communities to take responsibility themselves to relieve the increasing need.

Listen to exclusive interviews with the principals of underprivileged nursery schools in Helping Hand’s Programme of Hope that was broadcast on Solidarity Radio. Click on the link to listen to the programme: http://www.solidariteitradio.co.za/?p=8493

Statistics contained in the report:

• A total of 27% of the children in the 22 nursery schools live in Wendy houses, caravans or outside rooms. Many nursery school teachers live in similar conditions.
• Consequences for children: A lack of privacy and a lack of space, which hinders motor development.
• A total of 86% of the nursery schools provide meals to the children. These meals are often the only meals the children receive each day.
• Due to security reasons, nine of the nursery schools do not have outside play areas for the children. Such play areas stimulate motor development.
• The research shows that the school fees of 23% of the children in underprivileged Afrikaans nursery schools are subsidised partially or entirely.

Listen to opportunities for electricians

Article on electricians

In 2008 Solidarity reported that only 10% of the artisans that were in South Africa 20 years ago still remain in the country. At the same time, it is estimated that the country will soon have a shortage of about 40% artisans. Matriculants should not think that artisans such as fitters and turners, boilermakers and electricians do low-class work. These are highly skilled careers and the people doing this work earn very good salaries.

We kick off with the electrician training. The electrician course reflects the needs of employers in the current electricity industry. The qualification gives students access to the electricity industry and offers them the opportunity to consider various career opportunities. Students obtain the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue opportunities in the private sector. In February 2008, Sol-Tech trained about 30% of the apprentice electricians registered with the ESETA. In 2006/7, 549 apprentice electricians were trained, of which 167 were Sol-Tech students.

This qualification will improve students’ status, productivity and career opportunities in the electricity industry. The students will get the opportunity to contribute to the high quality and production speed as well as the growth in the industry. The course’s extensive study components prepare students for mastering the skills of the trade, and they also learn important life lessons. In addition, the students also learn how to establish a small business and how to handle health and environmental issues in their industry. Manual skills also form an integral part of this qualification.

The electrician qualification takes three years to complete. Each level takes one year to complete and involves six months of theoretical training and simulation training in a monitored environment and six months of practical training in the industry. If a student obtains the single-phase wiring licence after the second year, he/she can qualify as a construction electrician. After the third year of study, the student undergoes a trade test at an accredited trade test centre to qualify as an electrician.

Though for the week:

Ps.43:3 – “Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.”

This week’s quote to ponder:

“Work keeps at bay three great evils: boredom, vice, and need.” – Voltaire

It is a well-known fact that 80% of a child’s brain functions develop before the age of six. The foundation of children’s school readiness is therefore laid in nursery schools.

The following findings were made in a study carried out by Solidarity Helping Hand among 22 Afrikaans nursery schools:

· Preschoolers in underprivileged Afrikaans nursery schools do not have access to any form of government subsidy or assistance. Nursery schools in poor areas also do not have the funds to subsidise preschoolers.

- The parents of 130 preschoolers at Kleingoedland Daycare Centre in Despatch cannot afford the monthly school fee of R30.

- Dwergieland Nursery School in Pretoria North indicated that 90 preschoolers (half of the children in the school) were taken out of the school, because their parents could not afford the school fees.

- Klein Spoortjies Preprimary in KwaZulu-Natal knows about 10 preschoolers in Newcastle who live in a shelter for the poor and who do not attend nursery school.

· A total of 27% of the preschoolers who attend the 22 nursery schools live in Wendy huts, caravans or outhouses. Many of the nursery school teachers are not sure whether the rest of the children live in similar conditions, but it is a possibility.

- A teacher at Kleintreetjie Nursery School indicated that some of the children live with their parents in outhouses. In some cases up to 16 people share a three-bedroom house.

- A total of 45 of the 130 preschoolers (i.e. 34% of the children) at Kleingoedland Daycare Centre in Despatch live in Wendy huts, while eight of the 14 preschoolers (i.e. 57% of the children) at NPOS Nursery School in Pretoria North live in Wendy huts.

- The consequences of such living conditions are as follows: A lack of privacy, a lack of space which hampers the development of motor skills and poor temperature control (Wendy huts get very hot and very cold).

· Only three of the 22 nursery schools who participated in the study do not provide meals to the children in their care. A total of 86% of the nursery schools provide meals. Most of them offer three meals a day. The meals offered by the nursery schools are often the only meals the children get in a day.

· All 22 nursery schools need educational material for speech and language development, development of motor skills, development of emotional intelligence and creative stimulation. Many of the teachers indicated that dealing with emotionally bewildered and neglected children is a problem.

· The lack of trained teachers is a crisis at many of the nursery schools. Many of the teachers indicated that they do not have any qualifications and many of them do not even have matric.

- At Kleintreetjies Nursery School in Booysens, Pretoria there are four teachers for 110 preschoolers. The teachers are not only responsible for the development of the children, but also for daily chores like cooking and cleaning.

- At Kleingoedland Daycare Centre in Despatch there are only three teachers for 130 preschoolers.

- Teachers of Dwergieland Nursery School in Pretoria North transport preschoolers to and from school in their private vehicles.

- Nine of the schools do not have outdoor play areas for the children because of security reasons. Such play areas are important for developing motor skills.

- A teacher at one of the schools only has Grade 2. She is in charge of the Grade 0 class.

The need in Afrikaans nursery schools in impoverished areas lies on three levels in particular:  

• Good nutrition. Most of the preschoolers depend on the nursery schools for their daily meals. Impoverished Afrikaans nursery schools are generally unable to offer the children a balanced diet. It is a sad reality that a hungry child not only struggles to learn, but that underfeeding or malnutrition lead to developmental backlogs that are difficult to eradicate.

· Training of teachers. In many Afrikaans nursery schools in impoverished areas, the teacher himself/ herself often does not even have matric. Such a teacher is simply not equipped to prepare pre-schoolers for school. By investing in the education of nursery school teachers and childminders, a classroom full of Afrikaans pre-schoolers.

· Access to good Afrikaans books. As long ago as the thirties, well-known Afrikaans writer NP van Wyk Louw remarked that if an Afrikaans child has to rely only on school books for his language development, such a child’s language will not develop sufficiently and he will become culturally impoverished. Research by Helping Hand in Afrikaans nursery schools in poor areas has shown that 70% of pre-school children do not have access to good, modern Afrikaans books. If a love for reading is not cultivated from a young age, such a child will also not progress academically, which has consequences for the future of Afrikaans as language of instruction.

Helping Hand is currently developing a comprehensive plan to tackle the need. The plan entails:

· Feeding schemes in impoverished Afrikaans nursery schools

· The training of teachers

· Providing educational material in Afrikaans

17 August 2010

 Business experts to share their secrets

Solidarity Helping Hand hosted the first Conference for Afrikaans Entrepreneurs at the South African Reserve Bank in Church Street, Pretoria on Tuesday, 17 August. The conference was held for prospective and current entrepreneurs from across South Africa. According to Dr Danie Langner, executive director of Solidarity Helping Hand, the conference was held at the economic hub of the country to show the Afrikaans youth that there is a future for them in South Africa.

Various successful business experts like well-known economist Dawie Roodt, the former chief executive officer of ABSA, Steve Booysen, the chief executive officer of Sanlam, Johan van Zyl, and the director of KWV and Metropolitan Life, Christo Wiese, acted as speakers during the event.

The conference is a consequence of Helping Hand’s Relief Action Congress (RAC) held in October 2009 at the Voortrekker Monument. The RAC revealed the need for successful Afrikaans businesspeople who can act as role models for future and current entrepreneurs.

According to Langner, the aim of the conference for entrepreneurs is to expose young people, in particular, to the world of entrepreneurship.

“We hope that young people will be inspired by the success stories of legends in the business world and that they will take the life lessons of the speakers to heart,” Langner said. According to him, Afrikaans young people need to make two mental shifts: First, they must acquire scarce and critical skills and second they must equip themselves in order to generate their own income.

Langner further said that it is of the utmost importance for the youth to start thinking like entrepreneurs from an early age. “It is crucial that the youth realise how important it is to create their own reality in South Africa. Afrikaans young people in the country are no longer guaranteed employment as in the past,” Langner said.

According to him, Helping Hand is committed to developing the skills of the Afrikaans youth in order to stimulate job creation and economic progress. “We need to replace the notion of job security with the drive to be employable. The more skills you have, the easier you can transform your skills into job opportunities, thereby setting you free from affirmative action,” Langer explained.

Several successful Afrikaans businessmen shared their stories and life lessons at Helping Hand’s Conference for Afrikaans Entrepreneurs:

• Dawie Roodt – well-known economist and presenter of kykNet’s Ontbytsake
• Steve Booysen – former chief executive officer of ABSA
• Christo Wiese – among others director of KWV and Metropolitan Life and external director of Sasol
• Johan van Zyl – chief executive officer of Sanlam
• Stef Coetzee – executive director of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut (AHI)
• Bertie du Plessis – artist, designer, writer and the founder of MindPilot
• Henk Schalekamp – deputy general secretary of Solidarity

Listen to the importance of entrepreneurs

Article on Entrepreneurship

Solidarity Helping Hand’s first Afrikaans Conference for Entrepreneurs that was held this week placed the role of entrepreneurs in creating a healthy economy under the spotlight. In these times where job opportunities are scarce, young people have a bigger chance of achieving success if they take responsibility for their future. Young people can build a future for themselves in South Africa, even if it means having to work extremely hard and making many sacrifices along the way.

“By acquiring entrepreneurial skills, you stand a bigger chance of being able to work independently and legislation will have only a limited impact on your undertakings,” according to Dirk Hermann of Solidarity. Anyone – from a doctor who runs his or her own practice, to a hairdresser with a salon – can be an entrepreneur and apply entrepreneurial skills to become successful.

The current unfavourable conditions in South Africa create opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop. According to Henk Schalekamp, deputy executive director of operational services of Solidarity, entrepreneurs are people who identify an opportunity, who take the responsibility for doing taking up that opportunity and who carry the full risk for the outcome.

Entrepreneurs create their own future in spite of circumstances, because they offer a product or service for which there is a demand.

Some people are naturally inclined to be entrepreneurs and are natural risk takers. The rest can still achieve success by observing experienced entrepreneurs. Schalekamp, who was one of the speakers at the conference, gave the following tips for entrepreneurs:

1. Your future is in your hands: Taking responsibility for yourself and having self-confidence go hand in hand.

2. Expertise makes the world go round: Successful entrepreneurs are skilled and capable people.

3. Scarcity is your friend: It is beneficial for an entrepreneur to offer services and products that are unique and in high demand.

4. A positive attitude is vital: Searching for solutions to problems gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to create value and to add value to their environment.

5. Determination gets the job done: Gary Player said: “The more I practise, the luckier I get.”

6. You will win the war by being organised and determined: Draw up a plan of action and do not get distracted by trivialities.

7. Good values pave the way for success: If you stick to good values, the road to success may be longer, but the success you achieve will be more sustainable.

Steve Booysen, former chief executive officer of Absa and current chairman of Efficient Financial Holdings, also acted as a speaker during the conference. According to Booysen, entrepreneurs are at the centre of a healthy economy and are among the biggest drivers of economic growth. Booysen shared a number of basic principles for making a success of a business:

• Be passionate about what you do.
• Enjoy what you do.
• Remain focused.
• Prioritise your resources.
• Do research.
• Offer a good and predictable product.
• Cash flow is important.
• Manage staff optimally.
• Live out your value system in your business.

A number of the speakers’ message for entrepreneurs can be summarised as follows:

• Henk Schalekamp: Find out what your calling is and pursue it.
• Lindie Strydom: Serve God, do whatever you can and enjoy life.
• Dawie Roodt: Entrepreneurs are the biggest asset of the economy.
• Steve Booysen: If you have a dream, be passionate and dedicated.
• Johan van Zyl: If you can dream it, you can do it.
• Bertie du Plessis: Look for someone who has a problem and solve the problem for him and make sure he is prepared to pay you for it.

Owing to continual technological advances, new opportunities come up for creative people all the time. Most universities offer a degree in entrepreneurship. Such a degree spans three years and comprises subjects like business management, general management, marketing and entrepreneurship, purchasing management, entrepreneurial opportunities and financial and strategic management.

“Poverty awakens a spirit of enterprise.” ? Publilius Syrus

Solidarity Helping Hand will make history on Women’s Day this year with the establishment of a national Afrikaans women’s organisation: Women in Action. The organisation will equip and empower modern Afrikaans women at international, national and local level to actively contribute to the upliftment of Afrikaans communities. Inspiring Afrikaans women Hettie Britz and Aletté Winckler are the project’s patronesses and collaborators, and they will equip women to serve others.

Well-known women’s magazine Finesse is already a partner of Women in Action, while Nu Metro Inspires is affiliated with the organisation to empower women at national level.

“Women in Action offers Afrikaans women the space to become part of solutions for the current poverty issue and offers them the opportunity to speak on behalf of Afrikaans women in South Africa,” said Dr Maryn Botha, national chairperson of Solidarity Helping Hand Women in Action.

According to her, it is unthinkable that only the ANC Women’s League can take a stand about current affairs affecting women, children and families. “It is time for Afrikaans women to stand together, take a stand and become part of resolving the poverty crisis,” Dr Botha said.

Afrikaner poverty has increased by 150% since 1994. Well-known demographer Prof. Flip Smit estimated that about 600 000 Afrikaners are descending into poverty. Women in Action is being established in an era in which elderly women are suffering in terrible conditions in squatter camps, young girls are exposed to sexual abuses in these camps and young women view child grants as the only way out.

According to Lindie Strydom, public relations officer of Helping Hand, women’s unique approach is essential in tackling the poverty crises. “Women in Action gives the modern woman a platform to fulfil her calling and make a difference in her community. At the same time, women are equipped to better support their families,” Strydom said.

Helping Hand’s interactive website will bring women across South Africa in contact with each other to exchange ideas, support each other and link up national projects. “The interactive website will make women part of the world in which impoverished Afrikaans women and children live,” Strydom said.

Helping Hand’s internet radio programme also gives women the opportunity to listen to interesting, inspiring and uplifting discussions in support of Women in Action. The programme already has listeners in about 27 countries. “In order to break the poverty cycle, there is a tremendous need to empower women at social, cultural and spiritual level so that poverty can be tackled at all these levels in communities,” Strydom said.

According to Dr Danie Langner, executive director of Helping Hand, South Africa is currently caught up in a poverty crisis. “History proves that women have often played a key role in uplifting communities and breaking the poverty cycle – first after the Anglo-Boer war, and then after the Depression of the 1930s,” Dr Langner said.

Botha also said that only 2% of Afrikaans women are currently involved in women’s organisations. According to her, Afrikaans women can get involved with Women in Action’s practical projects to uplift communities. “It is time for Afrikaans women in South Africa to stand up and covert hope into reality. Women in Action is an organisation that takes action instead of just talking,” Botha said.

Read more about Women in Action in the next edition of Finesse, or call Lindie Strydom on 012 644 4390.

How do I get involved?

· Become a Women in Action supporter

• Establish a Women in Action branch
• Call 0861 25 24 23
• Send enquiries to diens@helpendehand.co.za
• Visit the website at www.helpendehand.co.za

The organisations, together with support from the community, continue to provide what they can for employees on a weekly basis, including amenity packs with basic foodstuffs, toiletries and cooked meals – luxuries for many struggling mine workers.

"The way in which the people of Springs handled the crisis after the closure of the Grootvlei mine has demonstrated the power of the community," says Solidarity Helping Hand executive director Dr Danie Langner.

"The residents and in fact, the whole of the East Rand, really opened their hearts and donated generously to the mine workers and their families who have lost

almost everything. Food parcels to the value of hundreds of thousands of rands have already been handed out to the workers, much of which came from the community itself. Helping Hand is truly grateful to everyone who was willing to make a contribution in this time of need," he adds.

‘The need, however, still remains and Helping Hand is calling on all South Africans to get involved yet again in the fundraising and food collection projects, aimed at assisting the mineworkers who were left to the lurch by Aurora mine management.

‘Tackling the need for food is the ladies and gentlemen behind the scenes, who give of themselves every Thursday to ensure that amenity packs are put together and meals are cooked before being handed to battling Aurora employees. This is an opportunity to join hands and to show that the community will not abandon its people," concludes Dr Langner.

Amenities required on a continuous basis include non-perishable foods, such as canned goods, rice, mealie meal and sugar. Toiletries, blankets and second-hand clothing in good condition are also needed.

The community may drop off the above items at the Advertiser offices at 48 Fifth Avenue, Springs, for distribution. Contact Natasha Kotze or Ernest Wolmarans

at 011 812 4800 for further information.