God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

11/05/2010 • 11:24 am Comments Off on 04.11.2010 TUM

04.11.2010 TUM

The workshop in Munich was excellent – lots of interesting information and the first ideas how to get the partnership between HOPE Cape Town,  Technical University Munich and the University of Stellenbosch going in the fields of HIV and sports. If everything is going well, we are planing to involve the community of Manenberg in a mentors programme and also try to get a project running which would see people living with HIV running the Two Ocean Marathon. But as always all needs a proper structure and some money. But i am hopeful that we succeed in launching both projects sooner than later.

This morning a talk with a representative of the Katholische Buero in Munich. We discuss the possible involvement of the Freisinger Bishops Conference in the partnership between Bavaria and the Western Cape.
Luncheon with my book agent to discuss possible new projects before heading to the University again to reflect on the workshop yesterday with the dean of sports sciences, Prof. Beckmann.

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

07/07/2010 • 11:35 pm Comments Off on 07.07.2010 Mid of the week…

07.07.2010 Mid of the week…

In the morning meeting with the Regional Council of the Southern African – German Chamber of Commerce and Industry – quite some topics to discuss and develop. In the middle of the day meeting with Fr Wim, my friend priest from Manenberg. As usual so many things to talk about, views to exchange, plans to make – a good time.

Afternoon some thoughts about the future structure of HOPE Cape Town – we have a planing meeting on the 16.7. and we have to discuss the medium and long-term vision of our organisation. HOPE Cape Town is growing – and times are changing – so there is always the need to look after our “state of affair” but also our vision for the next years.  It is important for every NGO to know where we want to head in the next years to come. Decisions have to be made influencing also the working structure of an organisation. But with the energy and dedication of our management I am sure we will come up with good ideas and a solid way into the future.

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

07/06/2010 • 5:45 pm Comments Off on 06.07.2010 A normal Tuesday…

06.07.2010 A normal Tuesday…

Meeting with the Amy Biehl Foundation – it is for me again and again interesting to meet inspiring people and organizations which do good in many ways and even after years of work they are full of energy and good spirit and new ideas. The first meeting with the director already brought multiple possibilities of connecting people and portfolios. Having a friend working as the parish priest in Manenberg, the “gangster land” and seeing the problems and hopelessness for the youngsters there (and consequently ending up with gangs, drugs and violence) I can’t get the thought out of my mind that there must be a way to assist in developing a perspective for those living there, especially the youth.  My meeting with Kevin brought maybe more substance to that thoughts which bangs around my mind a longer time. God works in mysteries ways I guess…

An interview with the museum for hygiene in Germany for an exhibition on “God and human mankind” brought again the question of the reconciliation of faith and scientific knowledge and I once again stressed that this reconciliation is not a one way street but a two ways highway.. And we as a church have to speed up to catch up with all the new developments of the last hundred years, especially when it comes to our understanding of sexuality. This is obviously direct connected with the topic of HIV and AIDS and the response we can give as humans, as Christians, yes, even as Catholics. Much still to do on this field…

Filed under: Networking, , , , ,

06/14/2010 • 3:19 pm Comments Off on 14.06.2010 Raindrops keep falling on my head…

14.06.2010 Raindrops keep falling on my head…

Monday morning in Cape Town – and rain is pouring like it will never stop again. In the midst of all the rain and the cold wind we are standing in Blikkiesdorp and later in a neighboring township to shoot for the Mittagsmagazin of the ZDF, German Television. After a family visit and a walk trough the area I am completely wet to the skin, but the film crew is happy with pictures and content of the interview. Thanks to Angela and Yasmin for supporting this rainy adventure.

From there back to the office to organize myself for tomorrow – sports and HIV is the topic of a workshop. I met with Prof Juergen Beckmann yesterday already, Dean of sport sciences of the TU Munich. We spend the day partly with the Bavarian delegation visiting Manenberg and later Mfuleni. In the evening I join members of the Bavarian delegation at the Bavarian House (Artscape) to watch the soccer match between Australia and Germany. What a game.

In the moment we are negotiating still with Tygerberg Academic Health Complex the visit of a Isagauer Trachtengruppe wanting to perform for the patients at Tygerberg Hospital and then framing the signing of the memorandum of intent between the University of Stellenbosch, HOPE Cape Town and the Technical University of Munich. Dr. Pritzl from the Bavarian Staatskanzlei will also be joining us for this important occasion.

Lunch with a fellow priest in between to discuss certain matters arising for the more church related work. A video conferencing with Germany in the eve will end of this very busy day – and let’s hope for less rain for this eve when Italy is playing in Cape Town their first match.

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, Networking, Reflection, , , , , , , , , ,

05/18/2010 • 10:20 pm Comments Off on 18.05.2010 Home again

18.05.2010 Home again

A safe landing this afternoon without any major hassle – Cape Town is greeting with sunshine and warmth. So nice to be back.
But reality kicks in immediately, the Ball of HOPE needs now intensive preparation. Somebody who has been a Rotarian in the same club some years ago died with 42 years and the family wishes me to do the memorial service. And there is the flight to Johannesburg on Thursday to attend a meeting of the working group for renewable energy of the SA- German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
No time to get bored or sin in any way… 🙂

Thanks to Fr Wim for being such an excellent travel companion – and I feel, that we have achieved very much in the last 10 days. I am sure Manenberg is happy to have him back as their parish priest – and I am also sure that the German sweets will find a lot of fans in his community. 🙂

Filed under: General, Reflection, Uncategorized, ,

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