God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

01.06.2010 Chaos Day…

Monday, 31.05.2010 – somehow a very intense day: Waking up to the news that Israels attempt to stop some vessels trying to deliver food to Gaza are stopped the heavy way: deaths and injured people and cries from all corners of the world complaining what many call state sponsored terrorism. And I must admit that I agree: Attacking boats in international waters with such a result has to be condemned in the strongest terms.

Hours later declared our German President his immediate resignation – what a symbolic act of defeat: In a time, where politicians in Germany and in Europe are not able to come up with one meaningful solution to stop the derailing of capitalism, where politics struggles to re-gain its position to put a framework in place for economic development – where there is one crisis after the other and nobody dares to tackle them honest – at such a time the German President – as banker part of the derailing process in the earlier times and in the last years trying to speak against it – steps down because he feels that he is too much criticized. Wow – that is a real shock for Germany – and it showcases that there is no solution in reach for all the problems.. But this is also

All this has obviously consequences to the talk show I was invited to join – forward and backward and at the end the talk show is tapped and will be aired next Monday – so there is time yesterday eve to discuss the retreat of the German President.

The talk show is going well, obviously my previous “no-show” is part of the discussion and I am not willing to cover up again. Truth is spoken out – not sure the person responsible for the “no-show” will like it. But that’s only a brief visit in the past – the situation of South Africa, the impact of the Soccer World cup 2010, the HIV pandemic is the main focus, followed by the anniversary of 50 years “the pill”. The father of the pill is part of the discussion – and suddenly the situation gets very lively when it comes to question of creation and of ethics and what we are allowed to do and not to do..

After the show still some time for further discussion, the Minister of Health of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern invites me and I have to admit that this province is completely new to me.. I never have been there before. Well, a reason more to pay a visit at the end of the year.

A long day draws to an end – full of news, excitement, concentration, discussion, meeting new people – full of life in all facets. For those interested: The talk show will be aired on Monday, 7th of June at 22h45 ARD German Television (Bei Beckmann).

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

31.05.2010 Sunday in Hamburg

Yesterday breakfast with Joachim Franz, Sandra Wukowich and Viola Klein – a longer breakfast with lots of discussion points. In the afternoon a brief meeting with a Facebook friend and family before meeting with the Udo Lindenberg as well as Hermjo & Viola Klein. Udo Lindenberg has an own trust since 2006 and it was decided, that his trust will support the HOPE Cape Town Association for the next two years. The money will be dedicated for the work of HOPE Community Health Workers. The official launch for the support will be in Tuebingen in July this year.The rock star will visit the HOPE Cape Town project in due course.

It emerges that the “Beckmann team” has not decided yet to air the talk-show directly today or a week later – the decision will be taken midday only.

Filed under: HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, Networking, Uncategorized, ,

26.05.2010 Packing again

After one week in Cape Town it is time to pack again – this time for Hamburg – hopefully in spring mood… recording of the “Beckmann” talk show on Monday, some meetings before – I am looking forward to see Viola & Hermjo, Joachim & Sandra @ the Atlantic Hotel. Lots to discuss for the HOPE Gala Dresden and the World Aids Awareness Expedition II. First time flying via Doha with Qatar Airlines.. the prices for LH flights at the time of the booking were simply “over the moon”. Soccer seems to have clouded the rationale of LH – well now the prices are down again. Good so.

The talk show will discuss South Africa and the Soccer World Cup 2010 – also the implication on the HIV/AIDS situation in the country. I guess it will be a good discussion and it will be aired on Monday, the 7th of June if I am not mistaken.

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

25.05.2010 A long way…

This morning meeting with the Archbishop of Cape Town regarding our working group on “pastoral work for HIV positive priests and religious”.  We awaiting a letter from the SACBC on our request for support and I hope, this letter will arrive in time for the next meeting, so that we can consider it and then our way forward. Before today, bishops we have spoken to have had a very supportive attitude, telling us, that nobody could reject pastoral work for those infected within the church. One bishop even offered to be the patron for the project. The indication today was that this attitude might have changed during the discussion amongst the bishops. So we are awaiting the letter with great anticipation, specially after all the willingness of the authorities within the Vatican to tackle this problem pro-active. Ecclesia siemper reformanda – we are at a defining moment within our church seeing all the scandals in Europe and else in the world – there is always hope – as the title of this block also clearly states.
I am sure there is always a way forward.. in an email, a colleague of mine mentioned my “gnadenlose Hoffnung” – my merciless hope.. – a very interesting expression. 🙂

Otherwise a day to catch up with all the emails lying in the mail box and lots of contacts with the HOPE Cape Town office – running an organisation means lots of small nitty gritties.. from banking problems to missing keys… it is real life….

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

24.05.2010 a burning taxi…

Another story accompanying the “Ball of HOPE”. As the ball starts, two tables are empty – those of our very own employees, the HOPE Community Health Workers, as we call them.  They arrive late and quite exhausted… What happened? Two taxis were ordered to bring our employees to the Westin Grand Hotel. One taxi caught fire before leaving – and we are lucky that nobody was hurt or killed. The other taxi had no petrol…  South Africa 2010…

Today the owner apologised and promised to return back the deposit of money. This is the least he can do. For me it is amazing what all sells in South Africa – surely he was aware of the conditions of the cars he offered for good money. There is still a long way to go before ethics are established in this business sector – a sector, millions of people depend every day.

Thanks to Hardy for assisting in finding a way to bring all our employees back in one piece… – but surely, for them the eve was more stress than enjoyment.

Otherwise this day saw the new budget draft for HOPE Cape Town, a discussion with senior staff about their portfolio and a meeting with a website design company to discuss improvements on our HOPE Cape Town website. In the afternoon signing of a contract with the “Abenteuerhaus” in Germany to committ to the World AIDS Awareness Expedition II in the coming year. Watch the space… 🙂

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

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