Sunday, April 18, 2010

Parents supporting the Benjamin Dube Children's Foundation

On the 10th April 2010, the Benjamin Dube Foundation (BDF) facillitated an urgent parents’ meeting at Silahliwe/Sicelo Squatter camp. This meeting took place at 10h30.

The meeting was chaired by Solomon Mondlane (Managing Director) and was attended by:

· Mrs. Precious Mondlane
· Nokwayiyo Kraba
· Nomphumelelo Kheswa
· Magret Twala
· Nigel Mbewe
· Aletta Ndebele
· Zanele Motaung Mvungade
· Nontembeko Stishi
· Mr. Anderson Mondlane

This meeting was meant to clarify things based on the overall operations of the foundation, and its work especially in Silahliwe/Sicelo Squatter camp.


The aim of the meeting was to:

• Clarify what the foundation is; its responsibilities and activities.
• Get more understanding on who should be involved, and why?
• Know how it operates.
• Know who are beneciaries?
• Know why it is in Sicelo/Silahliwe?
• Latest sponsors.
• Get future proposed ideas.

Solomon Mondlane (Charing the meeting)

I started by greeting the parents and apologised for calling an urgent meeting, but emphasized that it was for a good cause.

It was explained to the parents that, the foundation is for every needy child in the
communities of South Africa; inspite of the race, religion, tribe, citizenship etc. “The aims of the organisation are; to feed the hungry kids; provide pre-school education; provide medical attention; create a safe environment for children to play; and to give children hope, not in the better tomorrow but hope in coming to know the love of Jesus Christ, and the wonders of His Mercy.” I emphasised.

The structure that exists for now stands asfollows; Pastor Benjamin Dube (Being the CEO and owner of the organisation); Solomon Mondlane (Managing Director) reports to Pastor Benjamin Dube; then the parents together with their children;(for now focussing in Silahliwe Squatter camp; but this is not meant to say only children in Sicelo/Silahliwe are to benefit. This was clearly explained to the parents).

The parents were told about the only sponsor that supports the Benjamin Dube Foundation which is the Foodbank, and the contact person being Sibusiso Zwane. They were told that the office of the BDF is in Johannesburg where Pastor Dube run his activities but not officially operating yet.

“The beneficiaries are the children,” that I emphasized, and no parents can claim money from the foundation. Children are only given food, eduaction and a safe environment is created for them; and pre-school is built once a sponsor is available.

Parents Comments

· Nomphumelelo Kheswa

She was happy about the operation of the organisation. She challenged the parents to be honest and to say that the foundation of this kind is the first to come to the community of Silahliwe.


· Mr. Nigel Mbewe

He was happy that the meeting was organised to clear up things. He said Solomon love the kids and the kids love him and understand him better than any one else.

He requested parents to be faithful and tell Mr. Mondlane that the organisation was the first of its kind in the area. He requested that the foundation continue to work without any disturbance and emphasized that they will support it as a community.

He was very happy that his child shared a stage with Pastor Benjamin Dube.

· Nontembeko Stishi

She thank Solomon for the project in the community.

·
Magret Twala

She thanked Solomon for encouraging her children to go to church and for supplying with food.

· Zanele Motaung Mvungade

She was just smilling and happy that the kids are helped with food and taught bible lessons and for going to sing with Pastor Benjamin Dube.

·
Nokwayiyo Kraba

She was happy that her kids will have a bright future.

· Mr. Mondlane

He said the parents must be happy that the foundation came to help children withoput the involvement of any.

·
Mrs. Precios Mondlane

She was thankful to Mr. Mhlanga for the premises we were using for meetings after we were banned from using the community hall.


· Aletta Ndebele

She was very happy that the foundation is operating and was very thankful for the meeting. She was very happy for the benefits the children were getting.

Parents were given agreement forms to fill up stating that they accept that their children be enrolled under the BDF child sponsorship programme.

Next meeting

To beheld on 9th May 2010.

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