A Banner which will be used by both SI Lion's head and SI Cape of Good Hope was presented to Lieske, with an Inscription in her honour".
On the next two photographs are members holding the
Certificates presented by Community Chest of the Western Cape
to members of Soroptimist International, in recognition of our Voluntary Service in the Community through the Community Chest.
On the photo above: Back row: Joan Cornish, Lieske Bester.
3rd Row: no one visible. 4th Row: Esther Bloch, Sara Pascall,(behind Sara, Yvonne Meekin)Shirley Breed, Iona Sacks (Next to Sara) Elinor Holdsberg,. In the Front: Vicky Weinberg.
This photo is similar to the previous photo, but it shows some of those obscured in the previous photo.
At the back, next to Lieske Bester is Ingrid Koelma, Cheryl Mulder-Verbruggen peering alongside her. 4th Row:Joan Cornish, Julie Peires, Yvonne Meekin, Joan Fitzmaurice, June Juritz. 3rd Row: Esther Bloch, Shirley Breed. 2nd Row: Sara Pascal, Iona Sacks,Elinor Holdsberg. Front: Vicky Weinberg.
Click here to read the update of the 2002 Soroptimist International Tombola Stall at the Community Chest Carnival.
Iona Sacks, an executive financial adviser, became involved with this project at the beginning of 2001. As President of SI of Lion's Head, Iona has established a sewing project, which is already proving to be a successful form of creative occupation.
Shown on the picture is Iona Sacks with the Langa SI Lion's Head Sewing Group at the Christmas Party.
With the help of a generous donation from the Old Mutual
Foundation, SI of Lion's Head were able to arrange for the
refurbishment of three containers which are available for the use of the sewing project.
On the left: Philsa Nqena & Funeka Nsela with Sandy Fouche of the Old Mutual Foundation. In the background, some of the handiwork on display(thanks to our Teacher - SI Lion's Head member Marcia Blacher.)
The next step is to teach the sewers marketing and sales skills.
The Soroptimist donation also made provision for sewing lessons, sewing machines and fabrics.
[from Amicus Certus, February 2002 Edition]
Iona Sacks. Until the Sewing Project started these women would sit around all day, waiting for their treatment or counselling session, with nothing to do. When this was brought to our attention by a young female Doctor, the idea developed that not only would the sewing provide the women with some form of Occupational Therapy, but that it would also be a source of much needed income.
For the past year two of the
women travelled to Sea Point to receive sewing lessons from SI Lion's
Head member, Marcia Blacher, at the premises of The Union of Jewish
Women, who also donated two sewing machines to the project. SI Lions' Head
provided the bus fares, sourced the fabrics etc.
Those two then shared their newfound knowledge with the other members of the Support Group.
Shown above is the picture of a scanned article, "A Stitch in Time Saves Jobless", that appeared in The Atlantic Sun, an independent community newspaper. Marcia Blacher is shown on the photograph.
Through the Old Mutual SI Lion's Head obtained a donation which enabled them to refurbish the three containers that had been allocated to the HIV support group.
There is still a vital need for a security fence around the containers. It is hoped that the local Community Council will come to light with this. However, the "Sewers" who knew nothing about sewing to start with, are happily sewing away. SI Lion's Head are also investigating marketing opportunities.
Back to Contents of SI Lion's page
The Community Chest is a major service organisation which supports many charites in the Western Cape. Each Year, for four days at the end of February, the Community Carnival takes place at an outdoor venue called Maynardville. All the various volunteer service clubs get together. There is a tremendous spirit of cooperation and harmony.
Food from all the different Communites is available. It is always such a gastronomic experience enjoying herrings and cheese from Holland, Curries from India, Beer from Germany, Chocolate from Switzerland, Nasi Goreng from Indonesia, Spring Rolls from China etc etc.
Lieke Bester of SI Cape of Good Hope is at the helm of the Soroptimist Tombola Stall. Over the four day period more than 5000 people came to try their luck at our stall. The club members are each required to provide at least 100 prizes - not an easy task by any means, but we do it! There is also a prize of a Car, the proceeds of the raffle tickets sold by the Soroptimists goes to the credit of our Tombola Stall.
May I take this opportunity to congratulate Lieske and all the Soroptimists of SI Lion's Head and SI Cape of Good Hope on a most successfull 2002 Community Carnival Tombola!
Poverty Alleviation,Tuberculosis,AIDS and Youth Development are key focus areas.
There are an ever increasing number of people requiring basic and
essential social support calling on the resources of the Community Chest.
Grants are allocated to :
Back to Contents of SI Lion's Head page
It is day of fun and games for the intellectually challenged.
It is also a day of friendship and cameraderie, a day where all the
Service organisations, members of various Religious organisations work
together in total harmony for a common cause. School children volunteer to
assist the participants.
Shown here: Barbara Patterson (SI Lion's Head) and Rose Franchi( SI Cape of Good Hope).
There are two sessions morning and afternoon. The people are bussed in, partnered with an assistant , the bell rings and the fun begins. They play all sorts of games and at each stall they receive a prize as a reward. These prizes are placed in a shopping bag, which is crammed full by the time they go home after a wonderful treat. They also receive lots to eat and drink.
SI Lion's Head and SI Cape of Good Hope worked together on sourcing the prizes, setting up and manning our stall.
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She attended the recent World Summit in Johannesburg, representing Ndimayethu Environmental Group. She intends to start a nursery and greening project in Khayelitsha in the near future and envisages the growing of cotton which would be used in the making of the garments/items being made and sold within the community. With this in mind, she has already sent three community members to a permaculture course in this regard; having liaised with SEED (Schools Environmental Education & Development Project)
Thumeka has taken up the question of safety on board long distance third class train rides with the authorities in charge. Thumeka is herself highly efficient in general office skills and is continually training people in this regard (typing, minute taking, maintaining accurate financial records, fundraising) be it within her own organisation or within the community.
At a special meeting of the SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF LION'S HEAD CLUB on 17 September 2002 Thukema was presented with a cheque for R1000.00 as the winner of the Award, plus R500.00 worth of Units Trust and a Spur Gift voucher to the value of R120.00. She was, to say the least, delighted yet humble in accepting the above acknowledging God's blessings on her and her work and the hard work and support given to her by her co-workers and sponsors.
Thumeka is a breath of fresh air, fully of the joys of life. She has boundless enthusiam to continue with present projects and an appetite to locate and conquer even more in future! We congratulate her and wish her well with all her future endeavours.
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Iona Sacks (President of SI Lion's Head) approached Mr Mbeki as well as the Trustees of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and of Lotto, calling for a South African Emergency fund for Aids orphans. The need for such a fund is illustrated by Iona's letter telling the story of the Mntlaka sisters. SI Lion's Head has bought shoes for the orphaned sisters, is paying their school fees and sometimes buys them food. South Africa has about 280 000 Aids orphans and it is estimated there will be 1.5 million in 2010. Mbeki's office had replied saying that the letter had been forwarded to the health minister. Iona has yet to hear from the other organisations.
A local news paper, "The Cape Times" has given this story good coverage.
The orphaned Mntlaka sisters and their aunt are shown on this photo.
It is hoped that there will be a positive response to this Soroptimist call for a South African emergency fund that would enable organisations like St Luke's Hospice to have immediate access to cash to tide orphaned children over the crisis until more permanent arrangements can be made.
December 2nd, 2002
The money from the ticket sales will be used to pay for the busfares and the food parcel when they go home to grandmother at Christmas and hopefully come to terms with the loss of their mother."
Shown on the photo: Sister Winnie, of the Langa HIV/TB Clinic with Constance SI Lion's Head's beader making the AIDS badges.
Support for SA AIDS Orphans from UK and Canadian Chatliners
click here (will open in a new Window)
Two of the SI DOuglas members regularly visit South Africa and the Lion's Head Club; SI Douglas members are especially interested in the AIDS Orphan project. Half the money was raised at a coffee morning at the home of Janet Leece (one of the members who visit South Africa) and the balance came out of club funds. Click here for a photograph. (will open in a new Window)
Back to Contents of SI Lion's Head page
Members of the Lion's Head Club were able to entertain SIGBI guests who were on a post-congress tour after the SIGBI Durban Conference. A member from SI Preston, NW England & Isle of Man District, Betty Mckerrow, was in the tour group and sent these photos taken when they were visiting Iona Sacks. Below: Iona and Betty "comparing notes"
On the left: Iona addressing the meeting.
1) Tumi in 3 piece Denim Ensemble. Hand made Shoes by Khaya.
Tumi is not a member of the SI Lion's Head /Langa Sewing
group. She has experience in marketing, it is hoped she
will assist in finding markets for the merchandise.
2) Nomawethu wearing 4 piece ensemble (Cami, Skirt, Shawl and Bag R300)
3) Nzwaki in Skirt and Scarf R120 Black Shawl R170.
"Mannequins" Nomawethu and Nzwaki are members of the Langa Sewing Project.
African Traditional fashions modelled by the women who designed and made them.
Back to Contents of SI Lion's Head page
Teddies made by a friend for Trauma victims. Iona gave the Teddies, on behalf of SI Lion's Head, to a doctor who works in a District Surgeon's Surgery.
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"We sold tickets for the Final dress rehearsal of the Ballet "Queen at the Ballet" We raised R25,000 for our Ballet Bursary bringing the total to over R100,000 over the 4/5 years. This ballet bursary has helped to buy equipment for needy students,sent a student to study overseas and helped to send the Ballet Company to an international festival in China.
"During the past year we were invilved in the organisation MOLO SONGOLOLO - This is an organisation which helps to prevent trafficking of women and children--we printed pamphlets for them. We hope to continue this association in the future.
"On 17th September we are holding a workshop for seniors in our area. We
shall be having talks on "living Alone"
Security and cooking for One.
This will be followed by a mannequin show by a local dress shop with the
Soroptimists as the models.
Tea and Lunch will be served. There will be no charge for the day. We are
hoping for between 60/70 seniors"
