God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

08/30/2011 • 12:29 pm Comments Off on Donations from USA!?

Donations from USA!?

The world is becoming a village – and HOPE Cape Town has been also approached by other persons in other countries who are willing to support the fight against HIV and AIDS in South Africa.
One problem we are facing is that we don’t have the appropriate USA tax number and so being enabled to issue tax -deductible receipt. If somebody reading this knows of any NGO or PBO in the USA, who would be interested in cooperate in different fields, but also channel funds in a legal and tax-deductible way from USA to South Africa, please let me know.
The prospective partner NGO or church or entity should be well established and interested in the work in Africa.

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

07/06/2011 • 3:03 pm Comments Off on Madiba Day

Madiba Day

Everybody knows Nelson Mandela, worldwide he is one of the most recognised living icon for freedom and human rights. But not everybody knows that the UN has declared the 18.7. of every year the official Nelson Mandela Day.
And no, it is no public holiday, and the only thing, one is asked is to dedicate 67 minutes for a good cause – symbolising the 67 years, Nelson Mandela was sacrificing for a free South Africa and the recognition that human rights are for all human mankind without any difference. There is still some time until the 18.7. -but I guess you can already think of what you can do in the 67 minutes on the 18.7.2011. And maybe HOPE Cape Town might be a good cause to promote? Just an idea – just a suggestion for those reading the blog… 🙂

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

07/04/2011 • 6:30 pm 2

Back in Cape Town…

After one week in Johannesburg back in Cape Town and back to normal work. The transformation of HOPE Cape Town, the relationship between the association and the trust in Germany and South Africa now need attention to detail. After 10 years of work from grass root till research it is time like in any other business to review, to assess and to transform: for an even better service to those marginalised by HIV and AIDS, but also by poverty and all the other challenges of life, which make the latter to a permanent run against all odds…

The next two Sundays I will supply for the German-speaking Catholic Community – it will be good to see all the friendly faces again and to say the mass in my mother tongue. I hardly can believe that it is almost 2 years that I left my post as the German chaplain.  Time is flying.

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

06/22/2011 • 12:24 am Comments Off on Explizit net

Explizit net

I am a preacher since many years, but since quite a time, I am asked to put things into writing – culminating in the book “Gott-AIDS-Afrika” 2007 with the journalist Bartholomaeus Grill. And I discovered that writing also can be powerful – equally not easy like preaching. One has to prepare, to think through, to be able to tell a story, to catch an audience – and sometimes simply deliver some facts or comment on a development in a meaningful and fair way. A couple of weeks ago I was asked whether I could contribute on a permanent base towards “explizit.net”, which tries to bring as a Catholic Internet portal a variety of news to its readers. All more than just plain news, rather some insight into happenings in church, religion, politics and society.
i agreed and try now in my way to contribute that German-speaking people can understand more the happenings of Africa, with a fous of Southern Africa. And I discovered that writing also helps me to look more in-depth, to think more about events, to investigate further and so to come myself to a deeper understanding of the matters.
So far, I looked into the AIDS conference in New York, wrote about the Libya crisis and the response of the AU and reflected on South Africa’s draft secrecy bill. A piece on the re-election of Julius Malema is in the making and might be online the time this blog is also online. And not to forget HOPE & JOY, the initiative of the Jesuit institute close to Johannesburg honouring the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of the 2nd Vatican Council.

And I discovered interesting reading from others contributing to the website. Much better reading then I am used to from some of the other so-called Catholic websites,which are mainly acting as the defender of a long-lost faith construction. So, well, if you are in for it: http://www.explizit.net – worth registering 🙂

Filed under: Networking, Reflection, Society and living environment, Uncategorized, , , , , , , ,

06/19/2011 • 2:46 pm Comments Off on Blessed – or Hiphop in church…

Blessed – or Hiphop in church…

I am blessed, that I experienced this morning again, when I celebrated my 25th anniversary of being a priest in the parish of Manenberg. In Cape Town, for many people Manenberg stands for gangsters, drugs, violence, fear, gangs, guns – and so it was maybe not unusual that the drivers of  a Ultraliquor store in town refused to deliver drinks to Manenberg on a Sunday morning, fearing for their lives. For me Manenberg is the place where I can feel that this is a place where one can touch who Christians call God. Different perceptions – but it was a great celebration with international flair:

HIPHOP in church

 

 

USA, Malaysia, Austria, Germany and South Africa were represented – the parish priest and my friend Fr Wim brought down the Holy Trinity (Trinity Sunday) so that people could understand and feel what it means for them in their lives. The youngsters from the Amy Biehl Foundation – Catholic Church School Aftercare program contributed with music, flutes and HipHop dance in front of the altar. Liturgical dance brought another aspect of life into the celebration. Afterwards music of brass instruments and a warm soup, coffee, tea and cool drink… A wonderful celebration in one of the most neglected parts of Cape Town.
I am blessed – did I say that already?

Manenberg parish

 

Filed under: Reflection, Uncategorized, , , , , ,

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