Dukks Foundation Launch / Christian Healing Ministries Handover Event
Dukks Foundation Launch Christian Healing Ministries Handover Event Every created thing has a beginning. Whether its the conception of a child, a new car rolling off the assembly line or an idea(Inception, anyone). For the DUKKS Foundation it was the inauguration of the Solar PV installation at Christian Healing Ministries’ facility in Manenberg, Cape Town, South Africa. The journey to the launch wasn’t one that was paved with simplicity. It was fueled by tears and heartache but more importantly hope. The story of Christian Healing Ministries isn’t an unfamiliar one. The proverbial non profit organisation sets out to better a community to only be hit sooner or later by financial difficulties. Its an all too familiar story and one that doesn’t bear repeating. Based in Manenberg, under the stewardship of Sidwell & Noeleen Southgate, Christian Healing Ministries has served their local community through a feeding scheme, youth cycling program, drug abuse & marriage counselling among others. However, running these things needs resources and Sidwell & Noeleen were being faced with increasingly high utility bills. The solution: install an alternative power source. Enter the DUKKS Foundation. Through the generous support of donors the DUKKS Foundation was able to source a Solar PV Installation for them. Stepping into the facilities in Manenberg I wasn’t sure what to expect. The character of a place isn’t always defined by the place itself but rather by the people who live there. This place brimmed with character. A specific quietness and gentleness that seemed to ebb and flow from the local residents. A deep seated humility that had perhaps been grafted in through years of hardship. The first person I interact with is an elderly lady, Jean Southgate, mother to Sidwell. Seated next to her a much younger girl, Danielle, of about 18 years of age and one of the church youth. Both with a story to tell. Both with more mileage in terms of life experience than I have. As the event starts, Joerg Schilling, Chair and Founding member of the DUKKS Foundation, retells the tragic events that led to the formation of the DUKKS Foundation. Soon after him Noeleen takes center stage and shares with the attendees what Christian Healing Ministries is all about. Lastly, Sidwell takes the floor and is almost immediately overcome with emotion. His heart laid bare before all of us. What might have seemed like a tiny gesture of goodwill sinks in as a blessing of unfathomable magnitude. While far from achieving true financial freedom to pursue their goals of community betterment, the investment from the DUKKS Foundation and its donors will go a long way in helping them achieve that dream. For the DUKKS Foundation, this was but a small milestone. Small but significant and hopefully one of many more to come. Keli (DUKKS Foundation, S.M.A) & Jean Southgate Joerg Schilling (DUKKS Foundation, Chair) Noeleen & Sidwell Southgate (Christian Healing Ministries) DONATE
Christian Healing Ministries – Manenburg
Township Driving Academy Fundraiser Challenges we faced with our high Utility bill: There was darkness of emotions in our lives. There was a sadness, fear, and pain. It was in those times we could only do two things. Pretend we were not facing this big giant of high bills, or do we acknowledge it or walk towards the next step of change. It was in these times of sleepless nights and fear we needed to get up and walk towards change in our lives and pray to GOD for a way out. We fell behind with our utility payments due to loss of income. We had a very hard time dealing with our debts because we never had financial problems before. There are so many expenses and managing a home and family it was hard. Due to our financial hardship and in order to meet necessary household expenses plus credit payments. We went to the City of Cape Town asking them to consider our needs and ask them if we can pay off the arrears. This also did not help much because the bill was getting more and more. And we were unable to meet the regular agreements with the City. Then the City sent us a pink demanding letter saying if we are not going to pay the bill in full they will have to sell all our assets. We then took out a loan and paid in full December 2017. In Jan 2018 we still had a high bill and it looked like it never stopped. This generous support of the DUKKS Foundation made it possible for our church community to enjoy the electricity. It brought so much hope and peace in our lives. We wish to thank you for your support and, your dedication , attention and open minded thinking and for your readiness to help and respond to our request. Thank you for opening this door of relief , this was a huge step of strength for us. This assistance is for us a warm bright ray of light . We can now cook food for our feeding scheme on a Wednesday not to consider the electricity bill. -Noleen Southgate(Christian Healing Ministries). DONATE