God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

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

03/30/2012 • 6:10 pm Comments Off on From Cruise-liner pastoral work back to African realities

From Cruise-liner pastoral work back to African realities

Some gaps are difficult to cover – and after doing pastoral work for passengers on a cruise-liner going from Australia to Sri Lanka, I am now back in Cape Town to continue my work in the local Archdiocese of Cape Town. It was nice to be away for a while and it was interesting working on such a ship. What a meeting of worlds, what kind of dynamics. I seldom had so much fun preaching in the prayer services and Eucharistic celebrations – it felt like hearts met and a connection established which brought “my world” to these mainly elderly people who traveled the world without getting too much in contact with reality. One day Cambodia, one day Thailand, one day Aceh and so on – it seems to me a first smooth encounter and how much I would wish for a deeper encounter – but time don’t permit. On the other hand – having worked hard at home the passengers tried to conquer the world, to catch a glimpse of other cultures and living environments. And I am sure it changes their perception of the world, it these encounters are done in a sensitive way.

I was able to show the BR TV production “Hoffnung am Kap” and tears and big eyes gave witness how often it is forgotten: the plight of those less fortune then we are. It is not easy to realize that wealth and high living standard is only possible if others suffer or at least have little to live on. I am sure I found new friends for HOPE Cape Town and some people staying in touch with me and the work I am doing with all my colleagues.

The cruise has shown me again how big the gap is between North and South – and how much I am already more an African than an European. It is scary, it is amazing, but it remains my challenge to be a bridge between two worlds which at the end need each other.

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

12/05/2011 • 9:59 am Comments Off on AIDS Gestapo…

AIDS Gestapo…

Sometimes, discussions are getting out of hand – and this one has certainly gone out of hand. Offering cash prizes for getting tested is a decision, one surely can debate and argue about. But the question of criminalization of HIV transmission is a much deeper going one and Helen Zille, premier of the Western Cape (SA)  and TAC (Advocacy group) should avoid to debate it in a wording and style which does not help the cause. What is meant by “willing infecting” somebody – does it mean, that everybody, who has not done a test and having sex without protection is “willing” to pass on the virus. Or must there be a real intention, so consideration before the act? Fact is, that criminalization is not a tool for HIV prevention – common sense is also that I always expect from both persons engaging in sex to prevent a possible transmission in any case – be it HIV or any other STI.  Both have the responsiblity to either clarify it or protect or decide to take the risk in a responsible way. It can never be one-sided. Being on HAART for 6 month, undetectable and no STI means that the risk of transmission is likely to be the same like a broken condom.
Word like “AIDS Gestapo” or “racist” have no place in such a serious debate. It is about responsiblity, ending stigma, avoiding discrimination and protecting the rights of each and everybody even in the privacy of their bedrooms. A very sensible place – and a very sensible topic which deserves wording living up to the seriousness of the topic.

Read more: http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/zille-slams-aids-gestapo-1.1192047

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HIV Treatment, Politics and Society, Society and living environment, , , , , , , , ,

07/21/2011 • 10:17 pm Comments Off on Transformation and development…

Transformation and development…

After 10 years, it is always good and right to put an organisation to a stress test, as it is called today, meaning to review the strength and the weaknesses and to see which way leads to a good future.  The new director for HOPE Cape Town, the transformation from a management committee to a board, new research and government strategies ask for a good review of our work. After being 5 years in existence more in the shadow of the HOPE Cape Town Association, the HOPE Cape Town Trust is now also asked to define its new role as the guardian of the donations.  It is indeed an exciting time for HOPE Cape Town, even when it means more work then usual, more thinking and more discussion about the right way forward. It is good to have people in both boards who have HOPE Cape Town and its work at their hearts and minds. Mission statements and goals must be adjusted and redefined – there is still lots to do for this year to have this process finished until the next AGM’s are due in January 2012.
And there was today a great news that HOPE Cape Town got a donation which will enable us to start also to work in Manenberg, together with Fr Wim and the Catholic parish. They have already great success with afterschool care provided together with the Amy Biehl Foundation. Partnerships always means to get synergies and to use the resources as best as one can. Transformation is necessary, but the normal work at grass root level goes on as most of the portfolios which enables children and families being affected or infected with HIV to see a light at the end of the horizon.

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

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, , , , , ,

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