October 2022 Rebuilding of a Home
I am speechless yet emotional about this story. Phakamisa Wandering school teacher identified a child in her care centre who was very needy as she was being looked after by her grandmother. When the Pandemic of Covid hit the continent, we began to identify homes that were in need of food parcels. This family was also identified. When floods hit the KZN, they were also affected and the situation got worse than before. We identified the conditions that they were living in and it was shocking to think that someone out there has been living under such circumstances. We prayed about it, we talked about it with a hope that one day, they can have something that they can call a home. Thanks to WDR for making this project possible. We are almost done with this project. Thanks be to God
Kitchen Training
31.8.22 – Cooking Class
Training
27th August 2022 – Today, marks the 1st day on Level 4 training. This program is an accredited ECD course that will run for 2 years. We can’t wait to see the end result after this. To God be the Glory
What an upgrade to start off the term.
Our new Vehicle.
Thanks to our UK Trust who participated in seeing the late Thokozani’s dream come through….. Glory be to God
August 2022
THANK YOU
Congratulations Jonathan on completion of your bike ride and raising a total of £2.500 for Phakamisa – absolutely brilliant thank you
Aug 21
SATURDAY JULY 24th 2021 DAY OF CELEBRATION AND THANKSGIVING FOR THOKOZANI
Around 30 people attended this Special Celebration which included songs, prayers, messages from South Africa and a collage of photos set to music to remember our beautiful friend and colleague. We were blest by the weather and followed it with our picnic at Trent College.
Phakamisa UK Trust – July 2021
Update from Bob:-
“COAST TO COAST” SPONSORED WALK FOR TWO CHARITIES
I have now completed Stage 1 of my walk (phew!) from the West Coast of Cumbria to the East Coast of North Yorkshire raising money for 2 charities, both of which are badly in need of funds.
Thank you so much to all who have sponsored me. Your sponsorship is making a BIG difference! The total raised to date (12th July) is almost 60% of my target of £1,500.
The route I am taking is one of Alfred Wainwright’s best known historic walks and covers just under 200 miles from start to finish. I plan to cover Stage 2 of the walk between 20th and 27th August, walking about 12-15 miles per day.
If you would like to sponsor me to support Phakamisa please visit:
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/giving/make-a-donation
Simply enter the name, “Phakamisa” or “Robert Mawer” in the search box and follow the on-screen instructions. Alternatively, you can go straight to my Virgin Money giving page:
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RobertMawer3
You can also continue to support Phakamisa, at no cost to you, by doing your amazon shopping through www.smile.amazon.co.uk and nominating Phakamisa as your chosen charity.
If you would like to sponsor me to support the JTP Trust please visit:
Robert Mawer is fundraising for Janice Thompson Performance Trust (justgiving.com)
And follow the on-screen instructions.
You can find my blog, covering the walk so far, at: http://bobmawer.simplesite.com
Thank you
Two of the UK Trustees are undertaking challenges to raise money for Phakamisa this summer.
Jonathan Gordon is cycling from John O’Groats to Land’s End (having previously cycled Land’s End to John O’Groats 10 years ago!).
Robert Mawer is undertaking the “Coast to Coast Walk” from the west coast of Cumbria to the East coast of North Yorkshire – just over 180 miles from start to finish.You can support them by searching ‘Phakamisa’ or their names on virginmoneygiving.com
Duncan Runs for Phakamisa
Congratulations go to Duncan for his first marathon which he completed in under 5 hours, a great achievement, well done.
Update – Duncan raised £800!! Fantastic
Rebuilding
Inanda Wandering school in progress. Last year this wandering school was vandalized during lockdown. Many kids around this area were left with no school to attend to. We are very pleased to see the progress of rebuilding this school
20 February 2021
New Director of Phakamisa
It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Phakamisa Board has appointed Zethu Kuzwayo as the new Director of Phakamisa with effect from 1st February 2021. Zethu has been with Phakamisa since 2014 as Thokozani’s assistant. The Board is confident that Zethu has the necessary skills, ability, and potential, and with God’s help will take Phakamisa to new heights. I am sure all Phakamisa’s many friends and supporters will join me in congratulating Zethu and wishing her all the best in her new role.
Neil Purdon – Chairperson Phakamisa South Africa.
The Phakamisa UK Trust is delighted with the news of the announcement that the South African Board has appointed Zethu Kuzwayo to the post of Director. The UK Trust joins in congratulating Zethu and in surrounding her and the team in prayer as they face the challenges ahead.
January 2021
Compliments of the new season family. Our offices opened yesterday (13 January 2021), everyone is in good shape, thank God. We are ready to rock and roll even if we are facing still this pandemic. We will journey with God on our side. Psalm 29
Vs 11 ‘The Lord gives strength to his people; The Lord blesses his people with peace.’
Child Minder Graduation
Today is a remarkable day for all of us. A Child Minder graduation ceremony was celebrated after so many trials that we’ve been through. It was not easy but perseverance, dedication, commitment landed us this far. Glory to Jesus. Till this far Lord has been with us.
Dec 1 2020
Thank you
Phakamisa opened again on Tuesday 12 August, taking the necessary precautions to minimise the risks posed by COVID. The dedicated and self-motivated staff continue to serve our local communities through our various programmes. The loss of Thokozani is deeply felt.
The staff would like to thank each and every one of Phakamisa’s donors and friends for their ongoing support during these difficult times as they’ve had to face the challenges caused by COVID, and more recently coping without the inspirational leadership of Thokozani.
Each staff member has written a touching letter of gratitude and some of these we will share.17.8.20
From the UK Trust.
We were all deeply saddened to hear of the death, of our precious friend Thokozani Poswa. We remember her with great love and affection; for the vision, warmth, and joy that she demonstrated in her service. We were privileged to know her personally, to work with her, and to welcome her to the UK for three visits, in 2015 (her first experience of air travel and her first journey outside SA) 2017 and 2019. Our hearts go out to her family – her children, her siblings and friends, and all who mourn her loss. Our prayers at this time are for them and the whole Phakamisa family as they consider the future together and seek to be the hands and heart of Jesus in their community.
10.8.20
Mrs Thokozani Khumalo Poswa
In recent weeks a number of Phakamisa staff showed symptoms of COVID and the Phakamisa campus was forced to close.
We are sad to announce that our much loved Director Mrs. Thokozani Poswa passed away overnight (July 20). Her dedication, dynamism, and enthusiasm for Phakamisa and her passion for improving the lives of those around her will be sorely missed.
May her soul rest in peace, and rise in eternal glory.
Please hold her family, all those infected and affected by this epidemic and Phakamisa in your prayers.21.7.20.
Phakamisa in the Community
The Phakamisa team continues to ensure that the wheels continue to turn during these difficult times with our community contact still off-site.
We know that our workshops provide a whole range of practical and economically empowering skills, and we share here a photograph (from 2019) of some of our Caregivers having made carrot steam bread; a recipe from our Cooking Course taught by Zola.
Carrot Steamed Bread Ingredients:
3 large grated carrot
8 cups flour
5 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 yeast
30 margarine.July 20
Duncan's Run for Phakamisa
On Sunday 1 March 2019, Duncan entered the Berkhamsted Half Marathon, which fundraises for St Francis Hospice, and completed it in 1hr 50m – which is a better time than he hoped – while his mother was collecting sponsorship for his run. He raised £100 for Phakamisa, hopefully, to go towards the repair or replacement of the present vehicle.
New Beadwork
Beautiful beadwork recently made for a lovely order we received. The small enamel cups are 5 and a half centimetre and can be used for gift or display. The teaspoons and wooden spoons are practical and also make great gifts.
For information on how to order please contact Zethu – [email protected]
Men can sew!
This is members of our men’s group – sewing gowns and hats for Pre-school and Grade 1 graduations. Men too can do sewing. Community upliftment in action.
Thank you Pam & David
Our long-time supporters Pam and David from the UK, have visited Phakamisa recently bringing with them a mountain of baby clothes and also pairs of reading glasses. We are so thankful for your gifts and ongoing support and look forward to distributing everything to those in real need. Thank you
Praising God
One of our Phakamisa Support Groups as they come dancing and singing out of the end of Devotions Support today saying there is no one like God and there will be no one like God. What a wonderful morning.
Gogo Fun Games Day
On Saturday 11th November 2017 we held our first Gogo Fun Games Day, and it was just that a day of fun and games for 150 Phakamisa Gogos who were able to attend the event. An opening ceremony in PMC Church, the team (red, green, white, yellow and blue) then headed out of the building, across the road and down onto the playing field of Pinetown Primary School. The gogos warmed up with an aerobics session and then followed the soccer tournament.
Relay, egg and spoon, 200-metre races, skipping, hula-hoop were the events with the netball tournament ending the games.
It was a noisy, warm atmosphere on a South African winters days (rainy and cold) with our gogos fully immersing themselves in either participating in or cheering from the sidelines.
Energy boosting fruit was distributed during the morning, with a lunch of chicken, chakalaka, steam bread, cooked and served by PHAKAMISA staff.
Medals were handed out to the winning team (yellow) and the Woman of the Match for both netball and soccer.
The first Phakamisa Gogo Fun Games Day was a huge success and testament to the planning and organisation by Thokozani and her team.
Beadwork New Stock
Our new stock. We cannot wait for orders. You can design your own and have your own colours.
Women's Day - Remembering
It was Women’s Day and we remembered our ladies (grannies) who have passed on
Theme of the day was Head wrap and white as we discussed the topic under “Fill my Cup” Psalm 23 verse 5 “You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
Women's Day with Men
Even though it was Women’s day, our men’s group decided to serve us in the kitchen. Indeed it was a wonderful day for our grannies at Phakamisa. A day well spent
Thursday in Black
Thursday in black is another of our awareness raising events. It is the awareness against domestic violence. We usually do this on our last Thursday before the end of our first term. The care givers like this celebration so much that they now invite their friends and neighbours as well. We had about 500 people who participated in this event this year. It was very interesting to hear from one male member who attended saying, “This should not only be for females’ mom Thokozani, we as males need to participate in such gatherings as well because some of us also stay in an abusive relationships. Maybe next time Phakamisa needs to extend the invitation outside to our communities or run this awareness in our communities”
PJ Day
On Friday 10 June children and teachers at Pinetown Senior Primary School had their annual “PJ” day. They all got to wear their pyjamas to school, and in return brought items of clothing for the children of Phakamisa.
The school children were spellbound as Thokozani explained to them the desperate situation of the Phakamisa children and that many of them had no warm clothes to wear.
Approximately 800 items of clothing were collected that morning. Lots of Phakamisa children will benefit this Winter.
Phakamisa thanks the Headmistress, staff and all the pupils of PSP for their support.
Our Welcome Visitors
We’ve been blessed with visitors from the Methodist Church in Ireland, who have spent time with Thokozani and the team learning more about the work of Phakamisa. In our morning devotion today, we shared a scripture on Mathew 19 vs 16-22, teaching about a rich man who had everything but he was lacking one thing in particular, ‘happiness’ Our emphasis has been how we can gain more knowledge from sharing with each other. Shalom.
Winter Clothes & Jam
We are so grateful and love the continued support of so many friends within our church communities. Thank you Woman’s Auxillary group at Hillcrest Methodist Church – you’ve done it again, lovely making and providing soft, fleecy warm children’s clothing which we will be giving to many of our children in need.
Thank you also to the WA at Pinetown Methodist Church who have collected jars of jam, which now means so many of our Gogos can enjoy bread with jam.
Sharing Blankets
Our focus during August was on Women with celebrations on Womens Day.
Pinetown Senior School donated a batch of beautifully hand knitted blankets to Phakamisa which we have been able to give to many of our Gogo’s (grannies) in need of warmth this winter.
We would like to extend our gratitude thanks to everyone. Remember a wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.
Phakamisa Gogos at the Gogolympics
A great many of our Gogos (grannies) took part in the 6th annual Gogolympics organised by Hillcrest Aids Organisation (partnered by Dept of Sports and Recreation, eThkwini Municipality and The Fishers Net.) at the Molweni Sports Ground. Two thousand Gogos (grannies) from communities across the eThkwini district had been in training for this event which was a great day for all those taking part and their supporters.
We had a good number of Phakamisa Gogos (grannies) in a variety of football and netball teams playing matches alongside others who made relay teams. They were cheered on and supported by some of the staff who were able to make the journey to the ground and enjoy this special event.
Trainers – Nellie, Zola, Alexia, Dumazile, along with monitor Magugu, our administrator Zethu, and student social worker Qondi together with Thokozani and Themba our driver.
‘It was such a special day for both our Gogos and the staff team’ said Thokozani. ‘Our Gogos were overjoyed that we had come to see them and we were all so happy to enjoy this special day’.
Drought in the gardens
Doris is our Caregiver Leader for the Nyuswa Group which has 10 gogos. With little rain this winter we are experiencing a drought which makes it difficult to plough and lots of watering by hand, But somehow we still manage, and in our Devotion times, we continue to pray and share and support one another.
Gym
Every morning Phakamisa care givers have a chance to do physical training. Thank you to Virgin Active gym instructor, Keletso for volunteering his time and service, and showing dedication in making sure that our elderly people are well taken care of. The care givers really enjoy their physical training sessions. These are some of the comments made by them:
”I like the gym since I started doing it I no longer have knee problems”.
“We’ve been motivated by the gym even if we are not at Phakamisa we continue with our group at home”.
“In our area we have now started soccer teams and the idea was given to us by this young boy (instructor). It really helped us we are now fit and no longer have sicknesses”.
Thank you for your support and love of Phakamisa and visiting this page.
We aim to keep regularly posting items of news both here and on our Facebook page. The Phakamisa story is one of hope, joy and upliftment, alongside hardship, grief and pain, but we seek to serve the communities surrounding Pinetown (Durban) as the hands and feet of Jesus. We value your prayers and support.
Numbers 6:24-26 ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.’
Translated into isiZulu – ‘UJehova makakubusise akulondoloze; uJehova makakhanyise ubuso bakhe phezu kwakho, abe nomusa kuwe; uJehova makaphakamise ubuso bakhe phezu kwakho, akuphe ukuthula’.
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PHAKAMISA responds to the needs of adults and children from poor communities many of whom are living with HIV/AIDS through our uplifting and economically empowering programmes.
