Newsletter – Positive Ray
REPORT: Oct 2011 – Mar 2012
Dear Friends,
Since our last report we’ve been challenged in different ways. God is faithful. He continues to provide for the work of the project confirming His will for us to continue. We’ve made several changes namely: reducing the number of staff since the exit of the PEPFAR Program in May 2011; sold one of our vehicles; reduced running costs; moved to smaller offices and implemented a 4 day working week. However, we have not compromised on the quality of work we produce.
In the midst of our challenges God is doing wonderful things. My report for the above period will enlighten you. Thank you for your prayers and support.
GOLD PROGRAM
Our beneficiaries at school continue to enjoy a valuable service via the GOLD program. Young people are being mentored to become leaders. During the past 6 months we reached 1546 young people through the various programs we implement. Our recent highlight was when 94 young people attended a two day camp. These young people enjoyed various sessions on life skills; how to become role models; to abstain from sex outside of marriage; the stigma of HIV and AIDS; The impact of HIV and AIDS on youth and education. We are encouraged by the positive response of the young people to our programs.
GOLD Camp
Unfortunately, this program is facing challenges of its own. Recently we were informed by our funders that the funding for this program will drop by 45%. With such drastic changes in funding it is becoming impossible to implement good quality work. Pray, God will give wisdom how to respond.
EQUIPPING CHURCHES to tackle the effects of HIV&AIDS
… Read further news from our Satellite projects (Positive Ray Reef, Positive Ray Primrose, Positive Ray Mdoni, Positive Ray Louisiana and Positive Ray Emmanuel) on their own pages in this blog.
- Positive Ray Reef: on 24 June 2012 this satellite withh celebrate three years since launched with Positive Ray. This partnership has blossomed and grown.
- Positive Ray Primrose: Pastor Robert Govindsamy assisted by Dr. Thames and caregivers Florence and Santo continue to provide Home Base Care to 15 patients per week. This satellite program works in the Marcuse, Deport and Marathon informal settlements and networks with the Annenberg Clinic and Hermiston hospital. Clients are taken for testing, treatment and referrals to the hospital via the clinic.
- Positive Ray Louisiana: Positive Ray Lousianna is making good progress even though this satellite only started in September 2011. Shiloh Evangelical Church gives oversight to this program. They support Pastor Paul and Slindile. Both these workers are trained in community issues especially HIV and AIDS.
- Positive Ray Mdoni: This small satellite program based in a very poor community is reaching out to its beneficiaries with a big heart. There is visible evidence that God is blessing. People are being refreshed spiritually. Church numbers are growing and the enthusiasm with which people carry out their day to day work is encouraging. Members of Redcliffe Samaritian, Elder Flerry and his wife together with Tsepiso must be commended for the good work they are doing.
- Positve Ray Emmanuel: Positive Ray Emmanuel has an outreach work in a nearby township called Malengeni. People living in this township have many challenges eg unemployment is high; drug and alcohol abuse and high prevalence of HIV and AIDS. Emmanuel Church has a vibrant outreach work reaching children and adults. Average attendance on a Sunday afternoon 25 adults and 80 to 100 children. They also have a feeding, clothing and crèche ministry to about 50 children on a daily basis.
… We continue building a partnership with ECSA El Shama in Gauteng (Lenesia) & Abundant Life Ministries in Amanzimtoti & Bible Centred Ministries in the Eastern Cape.
Bible Centered Ministries: Rev. John Peters, Africa Director for Bible Centered Ministries is excited to partner with Positive Ray. This is our newest satellite program. BCM ministry in the Eastern Cape started in May 2009. Pastor Masasaka Fullman started the ministry with 15 people. The work grew from 15 to 54 in 2010 and presently has 74 attending. The passing away of one of the members of the church , because of HIV and AIDS motivated the leadership to take up the challenge of reaching out to those affected and infected with this scourge.
In 2011 the church reached out to 20 families affected with AIDS. Presently, we are ministering to 51 ( 30 adults and 21 children) Pastor Fullman manages this project along with three volunteers. There is evidence of church growth as a result of the community seeing that the church cares for them.
The Eastern Cape has a high percentage of people infected. Almost 79%, which means ,that every fourth person is either HIV+ or has TB. Collin Wung is in Lusikisiki as a teacher in one of the rural school. He is looking forward to Pastor Fullman training him and other volunteers so that they can provide a service to the youth of the school. Rev John says: I am trusting the Lord will use His servants through Positive Ray and BCM to make a difference in the lives of many who are affected and infected with AIDS.
- Home Based Care
- Feed patients and feeding scheme in the informal settlements
- Transporting patients to the clinic
- Working with Home Affairs in helping clients with their documents
- Assisting clients with child, pensioner and disability grant applications
El Shamah - Home Based Care
Presently, El Shamah is working in 3 informal settlements namely: Precast, Water Works and Thembelihle. 20 volunteers help with day to day activities. 10 of them are involved in the HBC program. Three social workers help with counselling, medication, cleanliness and the social needs of the patients. Every Thursday, patients are transported to the clinic for check-ups, medication and VCT.
Some interesting activities that took place:
- October 2011, started a feeding scheme
- Helping clients with food parcels
- Christmas lunch for the volunteers
- A blind patient was put into a home of safety because no family member could be traced
- February 2012 workshop for 26 volunteers
Positive Ray Abundant Life Care is a ministry of Abundant Life Ministries under the leadership of Bishop Masinga. This is a new partnership. We welcome Bishop Masinga and his leadership. Their mission:
- To educate church and community members on how to counteract socio-economic problems eg HIV and AIDS
- To empower youth and adults with life skills
The church is engaged in several socio-economic projects such as:
- Feeding schemes and food parcels distribution
- Education – supporting learners
- HIV and AIDS Counselling and Home Base Care
- Gardening
Ministry is our focus. Empowering the Church with the Word of God is our goal.
Pastor Masinga is equiping the teenagers with the Word of God to deal with issues like peer pressure, pre-marital sex, teenage pregnancy and contracting STI’s as well as HIV and AIDS. Open disscusions are encouraed. Many questions are asked which makes for interesting discussions.
Pastor Masinga says: We are excited about our partnership with Positive Ray. Our members recently attended a six week course on Home Base Care at South Coast Hospice.
Some of our needs are as follows:
- Transport
- School uniforms and stationery
- Vehicle
Pastor Masinga and Home Base Carers who were trained recently at South Coast Hospice. Hi incomplete church that needs help.
Continue praying for these exciting developments – that God will lead and direct.
During the month of March it was our pleasure to host Marcus Baeder, our new International Co-ordinator for the Hope for AIDS program. Marcus together with Daniela visited most of our satellite programs. They were very impressed with the work the satellite is doing. We thank him for his support and interest in the work of Positive Ray.
Thank You for your partnership with Positive Ray.
Rev. Clement Joseph 18 April 2012
