God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

06/01/2012 • 7:15 pm Comments Off on Weekend in reach…

Weekend in reach…

What a week it was again – full of encounters and many of them very enriching for one’s own life. But also dull moments, moments that hurt and were you suddenly realise how different other people look at you and judge you.
The transformation process of HOPE Cape Town is still in full swing and my guess is, that end of the year we are sorted in a way that has prepared us for the next 10 years to come. Transformation time is often traumatic, because beloved habits or ideas have to be abounded and fresh, unknown wind is blowing. But I belive that there is that meaningful line in everybody’s life,  also in a life of an organisation, that makes sense and brings the best out of people.
I remain concerned about the state of the church – Vatican leak, the conservatism of church leaders, the anxiety to let the Spirit roam freely, the unification and streamlining instead of bringing out the best of diversity in the universal church, the fight against a relativism which might be none at all, empty churches in Europe, structural reforms which sometimes destroy more than it supports what is still left – I read that the US Catholic church is doing politics in going to court over the health reform – contraception – the most ignored teaching of the church as a catalyst to fight government. Not sure I do understand it in full. I just wonder…

Tomorrow I will say Mass in Milnerton – Holy Trinity Sunday – what a challenge for a priest.. – but at the end it is not about a theological construct but about the unconditional love of God. Not more and not less..

Filed under: General, HIV and AIDS, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, HOPE Cape Town Trust, Networking, Reflection, Society and living environment, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

05/02/2012 • 4:39 pm Comments Off on It is always looking so easy…

It is always looking so easy…

… when a ball, or better the Ball of HOPE is up and running.  Music, entertainment,raffle, live music, speeches, food – and it is indeed a great relief for the organizers if and when the curtain falls after the programme part and everybody just enjoys him- or herself. Forgotten then all the drama beforehand: bookings change at the last moment, but please the names must be on the alphabetic name board. Or whom to address first in a welcome speech – how much overtime we estimate the main speaker will take – it is important for the kitchen – just imagine the meet or the fish is dry because to long kept warm because of a timeless speech.. If the waiter does not function well, the raffle tickets are not at hand – the band is not in a good mood – all has to be balanced well and all the small little nitty gritties up to the decoration must be perfectly done – otherwise there will be some mentioning later. All in all we as the Ball of HOPE organisers cannot complain – the guests are normally willing to be entertained with ease and small little hickups in the programme are overlooked. The question of the room temperature we have now under control  – a bit higher first until the first bottle of wine is  consumed and the spirit high and then a bit down to avoid overheating.. 🙂 Even after 15 years it is every year again anew a first time experience – and I am grateful to have such a great partner in crime whom I can rely on. I am looking forward to the evening on Saturday and I am sure it will be once again a great event with great guests enjoying what we have prepared – and with “we” I mean much more than only Anja and myself. There are so many people involved, from the hotel, the deco firm, the sponsor companies and so on – so many people have only one goal: to offer the chance to celebrate an enjoyable evening and to do good for the cause of HOPE Cape Town. And thinking back of the humble beginnings in 1998, where I started a “dinner-dance” at the good old Nelly with Archbishop Tutu as the guest of honour and 80 guests – we came a long way until now. A salute to all those during the last 15 years who supported, donated or in any other way joined the good cause of HOPE Cape Town.  Lets hope for many more years to come with this annual event…

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, HOPE Cape Town Trust, Networking, Reflection, Society and living environment, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

04/25/2012 • 5:36 pm Comments Off on Before the Ball of HOPE…

Before the Ball of HOPE…

It is the time before the Ball of HOPE again – and even if I have to give credit to Anja Tambusso-Ferraz from the Chamber of Commerce and Kerstin Behlau from HOPE Cape Town to overlook and organise most things it is piling up again – sudden thoughts are rushing to my mind again and again at night – “hope we don’t forget….” Yes, it is the 14th ball and yes, there is a routine to follow, but every year is different. But some feelings stay the same: moments before the ball = “never again” – the thrill when opening the ball, the relief when the dance floor is opened and we can sit down and relax and the happiness about some nice thank you letters and the possibility to hand over the proceeds to HOPE Cape Town and assist in their work.

This year we not only celebrate 10 years of the Ithemba ward – established as the first “infectious disease” ward at Tygerberg Children’s Hospital but also 60 years of the Southern-African – German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Since 2001 the Cape Town office supports the work of HOPE Cape Town. I am just thinking how many people have been given hope and light and a perspective in life, only because every year round about 300 guests have a splendid evening and are willing to share their joy via HOPE Cape Town. And I am asking: What would be an organisation like HOPE Cape Town be without all the faithful supporters out there, be it in Cape Town or anywhere else in the world?
I think, being part of a charity organisation one should always count the blessings – and each and every one giving HOPE Cape Town a thought, a helping hand, a meaningful advice, a networking opportunity, a donation, a sponsorship is a blessing for us. It means for us working for HOPE Cape Town an obligation to strive for the utmost on care, on love, on committment towards the cause. In this sense it is good to have the Ball of HOPE also as a reminder for all working with HOPE Cape Town… a reminder with very grateful conotation…

Filed under: General, HIV and AIDS, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, HOPE Cape Town Trust, Networking, Reflection, Society and living environment, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

04/18/2012 • 7:54 am Comments Off on Woodstaudt 2012 & Ball of HOPE 2012 and the investment for eternity

Woodstaudt 2012 & Ball of HOPE 2012 and the investment for eternity

There are many people supporting HOPE Cape Town and each and everybody is unique; there are many ways to support HOPE Cape Town and once again each and every way is unique and often connected with lots of fun and excitement. Take Woodstaudt 2012 which is happening on the 19.05.2012 in Staudt / Germany. Developed in a church hall Woodstaudt attracts more than 1500 visitors every year and gives local bands to play unplugged: Ska, Punk, Hardcore, Rock, Metal, Rap, Hip-Hop… – young people enjoying themselves and at the same time doing something good for those living with HIV and AIDS on the other end of the globe. http://www.woodstaudt.de/ is the web adress for those interested to join the youngsters.
Different the Ball of HOPE 2012 – benefit gala in Cape Town – a black tie event and a great annual fundraiser for HOPE Cape Town in the mother city.  Already booked out for this year, but there is always a chance to be an early bird for 2013 🙂 This year ist special as we also celebrate 60 years of the South African German Chamber of Commerce and Industry – 10 years of cooperation between HOPE Cape Town and the chamber in running the Ball of HOPE.

So there are so many ways in promoting HOPE Cape Town, assisting those infected and affected, helping directly via a donation or helping to build up the HOPE Cape Town Trust to secure the future of HOPE Cape Town. Imagine how great it would be for an organisation not to worry anymore about currency exchange rates and how the economic downfall is influencing the support for those in need. You can be part of this security for all affected and infected in the Western Cape – you can be part in an eternal investment for the future of South Africa in contributing specifically for the HOPE Cape Town Trust – putting in place a stone of remembrance which assists those living and looking for help and a future themselves. If you interested in assisting the HOPE Cape Town Trust – please feel free to contact me directly (stefan @ hopecapetown.com).

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, HOPE Cape Town Trust, Networking, Reflection, Society and living environment, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

04/06/2012 • 9:09 am Comments Off on Sterkspruit

Sterkspruit

Do you know where Sterkspruit is located? Or Herschel? I did not know till I visited it: Eastern Cape – Diocese of Aliwal North – somewhere close to Lesotho – and arriving there after a long drive from Bloemfontein feels like getting in a forgotten corner of South Africa. On invitation of Sam, one of our trustees of the HOPE Cape Town Trust, who is coming from here, I meet different people like Fr Joe and his flock with 30 chapels and churches. I hear of the plight of the people, their attempt to make the best of their lives, of mismanagement of the environment, of crime, abuse, hopelessness, poverty and all the credentials which one would hope to defeat in the new South Africa. And once again I encounter the ABCD programme of the Catholic Student movement, which puts being HIV positive on the same level like being a criminal or a drug addict. Nobody thought about it really – coming from the official church side, nobody questioned it.

After 25 hours intense listening and trying to take in the situation of the people I am out again – with proposals in my bag of projects, with thousand thoughts how people can exist like this for ages, with admiration for my fellow priests keeping the hope up in these circumstances and with the determination to make things happen as much as I am able to from a distance. Most of our HOPE Community Health worker are coming from the Eastern Cape and I heard many times how much assistance is needed – now I know first hand…

I first have to reflect on it more – good that there is the Easter break – time for reflection in the light of the unconditional love of God. What does it mean for those people I left in Sterkspruit?

By the way: If you read this and you have skills like bricklayer, electrician or whatever practical professional skills and you have some weeks time to go there and teach those skills to young people in the area: let me know…

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, HOPE Cape Town Trust, Networking, Reflection, Society and living environment, , , , , , , , , , , ,

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