God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

Follow up…

The reader might remember the trip to Sterkspruit in the Eastern Cape before Easter and since then things are moving a bit at least: The water from the mountains is in Cape Town and awaits analysis about content and quality. Sam, our trustee have had a meeting with the representative of the SA-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is now going to Johannesburg with Fr Jo to investigate the possibilities of training with the Chamber’s head of training services. Just to give you an idea about the place we visited some pictures:

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Filed under: General, HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, Networking, Reflection, Society and living environment, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

No second “humanae vitae” effect please

Preface:
Please note that this entry is my personal opinion. As theology also is linked to the topic of HIV and AIDS I guess it is important to see it in this context too.
Like it or condemn it – whatever you do, first please read the whole text, reflect on it and then you are welcome to comment on it too. If you like it, share it – if you don’t like it, you most probably will not share it, but you still can pray for me and leave the last judgement to the Lord himself . 🙂
Don’t do it now
Following the discussions in my church about the integration of the Pius XII Society and reading their website and publications I can only plead with my church not to wipe over the fundamental differences but to keep an open door policy fur further discussions without taking them in yet. The time is not here yet. We might close formally a separation but I fear for another division amongst the faithful like we have seen and still is to be seen on the issue of “Humanae Vitae”.
Even if we formally do not acknowledge it as a church: This encyclica was the beginning of loosing ground as church being taken seriously by major part of the faithful and societies. We don’t need within one century a repeat of this effect which divides people again within the church.
Let’s acknowledge:
The world is not flat but round and traditions develops and God is calling us into a future – he is always ahead of us and he is not asking us to turn back to the good old times – if they ever been so good at all. And there is indeed salvation possible outside the church. We don’t need amongst us more in-fights (we have more than enough), no internal crusades, no creeping back under the modder of old plush vestments.
Please church I belong to: most of us, of our members are living in the 21st century – and we have to overcome poverty and hunger and other obstacles; we have to contribute towards justice and peace and a healthy environment. We have to catch up with all scientific developments and the related moral teaching instead of inviting people to discuss celebration styles, Latin wording or if God’s good spirit is allowed outside the church to go and do his work.
I wish for the church to be relevant in this world, in this time for those living and struggling now.
I wish a church spelling out the unconditional love of God understandable – it is so much needed and wanted.
Therefore: Keep the door open but don’t unite under these circumstances. God has time and he does not mind diversity at all. We should follow his example…

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

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, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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