MESsage from the Branch Manager
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In the last newsletter, we referred to Ravi Zacharias and the message of “Who is Jesus in the world today?” We invited you to join us in discovering what it is to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to bring your talents, and to serve!
Little did we know that the world as we understood it, would be changed forever by COVID-19, and, that the voice of Ravi would be silenced as he returned to his Maker in May 2020.
Much has happened in our branch during this uncertain time, but we are still glad to present you with good news of what has been achieved throughout the year with the help of your generous donations and support.
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Programme highlights:
We served together with you and appreciate your massive support with our relief efforts bringing food, clothing and healthcare to the most vulnerable.
- We provided at least 9,036 meals at our kitchen facilities in Bellville and Durbanville. An average of 44 men and 12 women made use of the Safe Space shelter every night. While nearly 6000 GROW shift opportunities were made available, at least, 1,193 food parcels were distributed to families in need.
- Although the need quadrupled and our funding was halved due to economic constraints, we served each person who came through our doors, and successfully followed the stringent COVID-19 government regulations.
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- Although MES Cape Town has suffered a great loss of donors and revenue in our GROW (God Restores Our World) and ASP (After School Programme), we have continued to witness the grace of God amidst the pandemic.
- Our GROW teams have continued to keep their shifts, keep our streets clean and participate in enrichment opportunities to make the much-needed changes to their lives.
- Our ASP has reopened and we continue to assist the children with their schoolwork in a safe environment.
- A number of organisations in our city banded together to pool resources for greater impact. Out of that flowed a coalition with partners such as U|Turn and Streetscapes who are investing in the Cost of Homelessness.
- Some of our staff lost close family members and friends during the pandemic. This had a huge impact on our team, but we supported one another during their time of need.
- Sadly, the Cape Town team also lost one of our own, Jacque Pietersen, who has been part of MES since 2009. Jacque lost his life in car accident at the beginning of November. This loss has hit us all very hard and we pray for Jacque’s family and loved ones to find comfort in the Lord through this tough time.
Fundraising highlights
- In July, our Fundraising and Marketing team held our first Mandela Day mall outreach at the Tygervalley Mall. Thank you so much to Tygervalley Mall for this incredible partnership. We really appreciate having local businesses take hands with us to raise funds for the vulnerable in our community.
- In August, we were absolutely excited about a brave move by Adriaan Theunisse, from the Netherlands,who committed himself to a 530km canoe challenge to raise funds for our MES Cape Town branch and Butterfly Creche in Vrygrond, Western Cape province. The money that Adriaan raised will be shared between the two organisations. This funding will go a long way over the coming months. Thank you Adriaan!
- From August to November, we participated in the Inkathalo Conversations, facilitated dialogues with the outcome to advance and deepen safe, inclusive, equitable, just, and prosperous democracy for all. These conversations reminded us that we have the duty to heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights as per the preamble of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
- 2020 has not been all doom and gloom and many; a lot of positives have come out of the circumstances we have found ourselves in as a global community. This time has taught us to work together for a greater cause outside of race, class or creed.
Incredible partnerships and collaborations have been formed and some strengthened, that will see revolutionary changes happening in our cities and communities. Families were reunited with their loved ones that they had lost to substance abuse and the streets of the cities, while others spent time together and reconnected after a long time.
A special recognition to Uturn and Khulisa Streetscapes for the value they added to our work and the Sector as a whole. The Voortrekker Road Corridor CID, Social Department and Security Teams are our pillars in the work we do and without them we would not be able to have significant impact.As a country, we advanced in technology to remain connected and continue working through this period. For the first time, the country realised how big the Housing and Homelessness challenge is in our country.
The NGO and NPO sector was recognised for the work that they had done to reach areas that our government would not have been able to reach. This has given us a direct ear to the Presidency and as a sector we are now included in the development of policies and decisions that affect our sector and the people we serve.
On that positive note; I would like to congratulate our partner, Madulammoho Housing Association (MHA) Belhar Gardens in Cape Town for being recognised as South Africa’s first social housing project to receive EDGE certification, a green housing standard of the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank Group. Having one of our own being recognised in this manner, means we are all doing something right! Keep up the great work MHA Belhar Gardens – we are proud of you!
As I close my message on this final Cape Town newsletter for 2020, from myself and the whole MES Cape Town Team; A BIG THANK YOU to each and every one who has supported us this year and in previous years. Your contributions, whether financially or with goods-in-kind or through volunteering your time and services or by praying for us and our team, and even to those that showed interest in the work that we do through the different platforms we participated in, you have all kept us going, especially during such a difficult year!
As the next year starts, I urge you to keep us in your prayers and to keep supporting us, especially the work we do in our city. It really is a blessing to have all of you strengthening our hands. From our team to you and your loved ones; we wish you a very special Christmas time and a safe entry into the new year.
Stay safe and always be kind to those in need.
“In Him and through Him we believe that Hope lives. In Him and through Him we believe that change is possible. In Him and through Him we believe that homelessness can be eradicated within a decade!!
Let us continue this journey together! Let us live that Truth by changing the heart of the City! Join us today. And continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus.”
Regards,
Ilse Maartens
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MES pay tribute to one of its own,
Jacque Pietersen
Thursday, the 12th of November 2020, MES Cape Town paid its last respect to the passing of a legend in community development, Jacque Pietersen.
Indeed, Pietersen has been described as a hero, change-maker, a giver and leader who has lived the MES values. Jacque, born 8 January 1975, joined MES as a chef in 2009. He later became an outreach worker and then a Bright Star Trainer. Read more!
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MES and D4J opens Centre of Hope in fight against homelessness
After 2 years of prayer, MES Centre of Hope in collaboration with Durbanville for Jesus (D4J) has finally opened in October 2020. As explained by project leader, Enrique Hermanus, this is a journey from mercy and justice to change.
Franita Knudsen, a volunteer at MES Cape Town who has been assisting to get the centre up and running, expressed that the centre brings her joy, especially working with the GROW team.
“These are people without hope but who choose to improve their lives by showing up at 8am every morning to start cleaning the streets. Seeing them smile as you work alongside them fills me with hope,” said Knudsen.
Currently the centre distributes food to homeless clients, assisting them with identity smart cards in collaboration with the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), as well as, empowering them through spiritual enrichment. Read more!
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Ackermans employee invests skills in our MES team
Arlene November, an employee from Ackermans Parow, spends most Monday mornings with MES Cape Town staff. In her personal capacity she offers life skills and personal development group sessions to all MES Staff.
This is immensely uplifting and encouraging for the staff in staying true to their passion of being the hands and feet of MES. Arlene’s time and input energises the team to believe and to continue changing hearts of the most vulnerable and homeless communities in the inner city.
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Fun-day brings revival for the after school services
On the 1st of October 2020, MES Cape Town re-opened its doors for the After School Services at Madulammoho’s Social Housing estates in Belhar and Scottsdene. The programme has been received with arms wide open by parents and children across the inner city.
Denise Hoffman, the current project coordinator started the after school services off with a bang, knowing the children have had a very challenging year and wanted to do something very special during the school holidays.
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Basil, a shelter client ascends to full time job after hard lockdown
At MES we love to see our most vulnerable and poverty stricken communities empowered. Most importantly, we delight in the amazing transformation that we witness with most of our homeless beneficiaries driven back into the mainstream society and getting employment.
Meet Basil, who has been staying at our Safe Space Shelter in MES Cape Town since the start of Covid-19 lockdown and, as the levels dropped, Basil moved up, little by little, until he realised MES services are there to mould, empower and serve him with respect. Read more!
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Juan’s story showcases how NPOs can truly be a lifeline for many
MES success lies within the partners, funders and volunteers who support our vision to change the heart of the city. The Mergon Foundation is one of these partners and with their help we could change Juan’s heart and life.
From a life as a young professional cyclist to losing all his sponsors, becoming addicted to drugs and ending up on the streets, Juan’s story showcases how NPOs can truly be a lifeline for many. Watch Juan's full story.
Achmed’s gardening passion expand beyond Covid-19 lockdown
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Achmed is 65 years old and has a kind manner about him. Achmed has been living at the Safe Space shelter since the beginning of lockdown. Throughout his life Achmed has followed a long nomadic journey.
He worked and spent time on farms in the Paarl area, where his love for growing veggies started and has always stayed with him. So, he took it upon himself to start a veggie garden at our Safe Space and ever since his first harvest, Achmed’s passion remain unstoppable. Read more!
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Needs list
In order for us as MES Cape Town to continue with our vision to change the heart of the city, there are a few things that we would like to ask assistance with.
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Prayer requests
MES is based on Christian principles. We invite you to join us in our prayers and pray for the organisation to be able to deliver on its mandate
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Nation Builder
MES is one of only 16 NPOs in South Africa that has been selected to be a beneficiary of the Nation Builder initiative.
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