The Amandla Omoya Community Development Trust will engage constructively with community members from Weston with a massage from the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Zukile Tom
It is with great honor that I step into the role of Acting CEO at Amandla Omoya Trust. With a commitment to continuing the trust's legacy of innovation and excellence, I am excited to lead our team through the next chapter of growth and transformation. My focus will be on fostering collaboration, driving strategic initiatives, and ensuring that we remain at the forefront of our industry. Together, we will build on our strong foundation, embrace new opportunities, and create value for our beneficiaries, partners, and stakeholders.
I come to this role with deep gratitude and respect for my predecessor, Neville Gabriel who has held the position of CEO since 2018and as an Independent Trustee and Chairperson since inception of the Trust in2015. We have much to thank him for his great contribution, in strategy and building the Trust diligently. I will continue to ensure strong transformation and support to new and existing projects, fostering a culture of excellence which will enable the Trust to remain close to communities, continuing to build partnerships in driving sustainable growth.
As we move forward, I am confident that our collective efforts will lead us to new heights. I look forward to working closely with our talented team, valued partners, and all stakeholders to achieve our shared goals. Together, we will continue to drive success, innovation, and positive impact for our Trust and the communities we serve. Thank you for your continued trust and support as we embark on this journey.
Providing Hope for Children Living with Disabilities
"Timion" is a Greek word meaning "precious" and "to honour," embodying the values of respect and care that inspired founders Daniel and Anika Meyer when they established the organisation in 2007. Driven by these principles, Timion is dedicated to supporting families of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP), a lifelong condition caused by brain damage that impacts movement and posture, often making it difficult for children to learn to walk and talk. Timion's mission is to provide these families with the care, resources, and support they need to navigate the challenges of CP.
With support from Amandla Omoya Trust, Timion has been able to donate essential equipment to children in the Kouga area. This funding will also enable six children and their caregivers to attend a week-long training camp at Timion Village this October, focused on Cerebral Palsy (CP).The camp aims to empower caregivers by providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to better support their children.
More about Timion:
This non-profit company (NPC) initially worked in partnership with the local government therapists in Gqeberha, Uitenhage and Humansdorp areas to bridge the gap of limited resources of disability equipment by manufacturing and donating specialist equipment such as standing and walking frames to children with CP to help them develop and prevent deterioration of their condition. The organisation now donates equipment to children across South Africa, driven by the belief that no child should be disadvantaged or face barriers to accessing necessary equipment due to their socio-economic background.
Our services take a holistic approach, recognising that the best way to impact a child's life is by empowering the caregiver with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to meet their child's special needs. Through our home visits, we build relationships with families, understand their social situations, and provide practical, emotional, and spiritual support. We also host camps at Timion Village, where we invite children and their caregivers for a time of rest, encouragement, empowerment, or training, depending on the camp's focus. The team at Timion brings together a diverse set of skills, including carpenters, seamstresses, administrative staff, therapists, and family support workers, all united by the mission to serve children with Cerebral Palsy (CP).
Naomi Hendricks, alocal of Jeffrey's Bay, has been part of Timion since 2019 as a seamstress. Sheshares, "I am so happy to be part of the team because I know that everytime I make a garment, it will be used by a child in need. It gives me great joy to know that I am serving them with my skills and time, and I hope it blessesthem."
Masikhathalelaneni Launches Fireball Outreach Project
Masikhathalelaneni, founded by Freddie van Rooyen in2017, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting communities in the Sarah Baartman District affected by fires, floods, and other disasters. The organisation regularly provides food, clothing, and shelter to those impacted by devastating informal settlement fires. On Tuesday, 16th July 2024, Masikhathalelaneni launched its Fire Ball Outreach Project, aimed at empowering the community with the tools and skills needed to effectively combat fires. Freddie introduced the Fire Ball, a small, ball-shaped device containing lithium that extinguishes fires when exposed to open flames. The device releases a powerful but safe detonation of powder that neutralises the fire at its core.
The Amandla Omoya Trust, along-term partner of Masikhathalelaneni, sponsored the first 30 Fire Balls to kick-start the project and has committed to providing additional Fire Balls as the initiative expands. The Executive Mayor of the Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Councillor Deon De Vos, attended the launch and commended Freddie and his team for their dedicated efforts. He remarked, "Trustworthy people attract investment and sponsorship. We should focus on preventing disasters by identifying hotspots in informal settlements and training people to operate fire extinguishing equipment." Mayor De Vos concluded by stating, "One life lost is one life too many," referencing a recent fire that tragically claimed a life.
It was announced that the NPO will facilitate local Fire Extinguishing Educational Training to community members by November this year. This will include the effective distribution and use of the "Fire Ball" Extinguishers and prepare the community to combat fires often caused by illegal electrical connections. For more information about the Masikhathalelaneni Fire Ball Extinguisher Outreach Project you are welcome to contact Freddie van Rooyen on 071 825 4840.
