GAPA

New Website – May 2010

gapa — Mon, 17 May 2010 20:36:52 +0000

Due to a problem with our previous web hosting company, our website was unfortunately down for the last few weeks.

We decided to create a new website from scratch, using the popular open source platform, WordPress.

Althea’s husband Henk kindly helped with creating the new website within days! Henk’s company, Skyrove, will be providing the web hosting for GAPA in the future (As Vivienne always says: the partners of GAPA employees ALSO work for GAPA!)

Thank you for your patience and our apologies again for the downtime.

Wonderful visit from Prof Jennifer Fish and Prof Bette Dickerson

gapa — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:08:00 +0000

Professor Jennifer Fish and Bette Dickerson returned to GAPA last week amidst a very emotional meeting in which we were wishing Vivienne happy birthday and taking stock of all our achievements for the year.

Their arrival was an added celebration. The grandmothers saw the rewards of their work with Prof Fish’s student in 2007 who raised funds to purchase us a much needed and welcomed netbook.

We are so grateful to have partners who promote awareness of the grandmother’s stories and uphold their dignity on every front.

Below is an email from Jennifer that I thought should be shared. It highlights some of the links to GAPA activities.

“Dear Sojourners and Friends,

We have shared an incredible opportunity to bring GAPA to South Africa’s international conference on reconciliation [http://www.beyondreconciliation.co.za/]. The grandmothers were featured in a roundtable discussion and we collectively presented our own initial research on the dual trauma women face in living with memories of apartheid and burden of HIV/AIDS. Bette is here with me, which has been another profound journey that solidifies our work on this project, as well as our kindred connections.

While at the conference, I showed pieces of the documentary Rachel is producing to the GAPA speakers and the organization’s Director, Vivienne Budaza, and filmed their initial responses. I hope you will enjoy this beautiful piece.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qAwoGhUOB0]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCP20_O_MC0]

Felicia Mfamana, one of the grandmothers in our presentation, was also recently featured for World AIDS Day on Aljazeera News [http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2009/12/200912180763259.html]

Sending my best from Cape Town!

Jennifer “

–
GAPA
Grandmothers Against Poverty and AIDS
Tel/fax: 021 364 3138
www.gapa.org.za

Secure the Future Feature

gapa — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:20:00 +0000

Read an article written by BMS
http://www.bms.com/news/features/2009/Pages/stf_anniversary.aspx

–
GAPA
Grandmothers Against Poverty and AIDS
Tel/fax: 021 364 3138
www.gapa.org.za

Test post using email

gapa — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:39:00 +0000

This is a test post, we're learning how to post using our email address.
World Aids Day post to follow

–
GAPA
Grandmothers Against Poverty and AIDS
Tel/fax: 021 364 3138
www.gapa.org.za

gapa — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:06:00 +0000

Visit to Tanzania by GAPA granny and staff.

In November three people from GAPA visited their sister organisation in Kibaha, outside Dar es Salaam. Twelve months ago the GAPA model of support was explained to grandmothers and representatives from KICODET, an NGO in Tanzania. After one week of workshops and visits to villages the GAPA reps participated in the formation of nine grandmother groups. On our return visit in 2009 we discovered that 24 groups had been formed. The groups are all active in AIDS education, psychosocial support and income generating projects. The self esteem, general well being and mood of the grandmothers has done a complete turnabout. The grandmothers have taken up their rightful place once again as leaders of their communities.

The Tanzanian team is hard pressed financially to spread the model to the many many grandmothers that have heard of the “new ways and ideas” and that want to form their own groups and have access to education about coping with HIV/AIDS.

In loving memory of Mrs Mavilo

gapa — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:27:00 +0000

Mrs Mavilo

“>Mrs Mavilo was a wonderful friend, teacher, mother and grandmother. She passed away suddenly this weekend due to cardiac arrest

Here are some of the things that we loved about her:

“She was very friendly with children”

“She always say things that will make us laugh”

” She was a business co-operative leader, she made many wonderful items that have been bought by our staff. She was very skilled and organised, she used to make traditional clothing. She was a God-fearing person, highly religious. “

“She was very good with a sewing machine”

“She instilled many values into our children”

“She was a peace-loving person, who didn’t like conflict”

“She was always eager to learn, and always innovative ideas”

“She used to remember everything that she learnt and use it to teach others”

“She was someone we could trust”

The children she taught in our aftercare miss her so much, they remember how she used to mend the holes in their clothes and teach them songs and stories.

Mrs Mavilo may you rest in peace and may those that interacted with you remember how much richer you made their lives

August at GAPA

gapa — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:02:00 +0000

GAPA has been very busy in August. The month started off with a visit to Cedar House, a school in Kenilworth, CapeTown. The occasion was the celebration of the end of a year long involvement between the learners and grandmothers at GAPA. As part of their community intervention programme the learners visited GAPA several times in the year They swapped skills with the grandmothers and both age groups benefitted greatly from the meetings. The party was enjoyed by all and the grandmothers came back to GAPA with a video that the learners had made of their time at GAPA.

gapa — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:47:00 +0000

Community Outreach programme by the SRC of Cape Peninsular University of Technology.
(Bellville campus) On Sat 29th August 135 children from the Aftercare at GAPA and 14 grandmothers were treated to a day of fun at the campus of CPUT. There were jumping castles, slides, clowns, face painting, games and food aplenty.
All children were given a bright blue T-shirt which said “we are members of the community before we are students”

gapa — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:42:00 +0000

Learners and grandmothers at the party.

August at GAPA

gapa — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:25:00 +0000

August has been a very busy and exciting month for the grandmothers at GAPA. On Monday the 17th a large group of grandmothers were invited to a party at Cedar House in Kenilworth, Cape Town. The event was the culmination of a year’s involvement of the learners of this school with the grandmothers at GAPA. The learners visited GAPA several times throughout the year to share skills with grandmothers as part of their community involvement curriculum. Every time the learners came there was a lot of fun games, eating and exchange of information. At the party at Cedar House the learners presented the grandmothers with a video that they had made on their visits. A great time was had by all.

Dance and singing in the Aftercare

gapa — Mon, 25 May 2009 09:52:00 +0000

Mrs Sishuba teaches children dance and singing at part of our aftercare programme

Media invite: Media Invite: GAPA hosts International Day of Action for Women’s Health

gapa — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:15:00 +0000

MEDIA ADVISORY

International Day of Action for Women’s Health

— Day for Grandmother’s Health Promotion —

Khayelitsha, May 29, 2009 – On May 29, a large number grandmothers will gather at GAPA centre, Khayelitsha to discuss and learn about various topics related to their health. They will do this to draw attention health issues such as HIV/AIDS, cervical cancer, adherence to treatment and health and well being.

Amongst the Grandmothers at GAPA is has been established that a majority of them manage chronic diseases of lifestyle such as hypertension and arthritis while also caring for households which experience the ravaging effects of HIV/AIDS.

WHO: GAPA – Grandmothers Against Poverty and AIDS

www.gapa.org.za

WHEN: 09h00- 13h00

WHERE: J415 Qabaka Cresent

J-Section Khayelitsha

Directions to GAPA

Take the N2 out of Cape Town towards Somerset West. After Mew Rd look for the next exit. This is exit No 29 (Spine Road). Take this exit off the highway.Turn right over the highway towards Khayelitsha. Proceed round the small circle to the first intersection. This is Lansdown Rd. Turn right and then 400 m along turn left at Lawulo Rd. The back of the GAPA centre will now be visible. Turn first left and then left again into Qabaka Cres to access the main gate of the GAPA centre.

PROGRAMME : Program Director: Ms R. Hoza

Opening and welcome: Mrs Dlulani

Morning Devotion: Mrs Shishuba

Cervical Screening on site: Department of Health

Education on use of medication: Department of Health

Nia Dance: GAPA Grandmothers and Gillian Warren-Brown

Oral Hygiene: Dr K. Nojilana (Michael Mapongwana Day hospital)

Keynote Address: Professor Bette Dickerson (American University)

GAPA song: GAPA Grandmothers

Motivational Speaker: Professor Jennifer Fish (Old Dominion University)

Announcements

Lunch

Closure

WHY:

GAPA is a voluntary organization that implements programmes to support grandmothers affected by HIV/AIDS in urban and rural communities to continue with their lives and to cope better as providers of care and support for their infected children.

Programmes include:

· support groups and cooperatives

· educational workshops

· Aftercare facilties

· Pre-school bursary schemes

Note to Journalists: · The action will begin at 09h00 a.m. sharp. Media should arrive early to set up for photos.

Media Contact: Vivienne Budaza, nolulu@telkomsa.net tel: 021 364 3138

GAPA in the news – Cape Times

gapa — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:26:00 +0000

Jo-anne Smetherham (Journalist) and Eric Miller (Photographer) wrote a wonderful article about the Grandmothers at GAPA in a March edition of Cape Times. Please look up the link to read more:

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-196814734.html

Monwabisi Beach Outing with Aftercare

gapa — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:29:00 +0000

Monwabisi beach is just on the border to Khayelitsha, within False Bay. Many of the children and grandmothers hardly have the time or the means to make use of this resource, although it is only 10km from the GAPA centre. So many families are concerned with living day to day that a day of relaxation does not feature in their lives.

Thankfully due to the sponsorship of Stephen Lewis Foundation we were able to organise a day dedicated to play and enjoyment. At GAPA we believe that children should be given opportunities to develop coping skills through engagement in positive occupations: such as play.

The Monwabisi, City of Cape Town gave us a discount to make use of their braai/pool facility, for this we are very grateful

The Monwabisi staff put clean water into the pool for us… as soon as it was filled the fun and games began

Catching some sun

Mrs Hoza for Miss South Africa

Mrs Ngewu gets her feet wet

The Monwabisi beach lifeguard on standby

Basking in the sun

Mrs Nkonka and Mrs Skefile nominated for princesses

Florence and Mrs Gusha collect bananas for the picnic

Taking the older children for a trip down to the beach

Picnic time – The kitchen staff prepared a wonderful meal of chicken, salad, juice and fruit

Ready to go home

Calm after the party

All the grandmothers who assisted on the day.

Total 67 children and 23 Grandmothers

It was in summary: “A Perfect day!”

Blessings continue…

gapa — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:15:00 +0000

In December 2008 Pick ‘n Pay opened a new store in Khayelitsha. GAPA grandmothers were invited to their launch party. Later that evening we were asked to attend their official opening.
On arrival we were astounded to discover that they had chosen to donate R5000 to our organisation.
Mrs Nkone and Althea received the cheque on behalf of GAPA.

More blessings

gapa — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:02:00 +0000

Staff at Union-Swiss donated ‘Gogo bags’ to the grandmothers for the festive season. The grandmothers were so appreciative, exclaiming: “what have we done to deserve this?”
Thank you to Lorien for organising this and thinking about GAPA.

Gifts from Telkom staff

gapa — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:50:00 +0000

In December of 2008 Telkom staff collected items to donate to GAPA. We are really overwhelmed by their generosity. Among the gifts was a much need refrigerator.
About 20 boxes filled with everything from kitchen utensils, art supplies, sewing materials and clothes we delivered to GAPA. We wish to extend many thanks to the individual employees of Telkom who opened their hearts to assisting the grandmothers and children of GAPA.

Welcoming Penny

gapa — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:41:00 +0000

We are really happy to welcome Penny Kokwana to the GAPA team!
Penny started working at GAPA in February this year and has added so much to our administrative systems.

Daily activities at GAPA

gapa — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:31:00 +0000

Knitting

Gardening

Beading

Sewing

Pictures courtesy of 1st yr OT students from UCT

Daily activities at GAPA

gapa — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:31:00 +0000