God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

11/13/2013 • 3:20 pm Comments Off on Auntie Pat – R.I.P.

Auntie Pat – R.I.P.

Auntie PatShe was a remarkable person – Dr Patricia Gorvalla or Auntie Pat – starting off as a colored woman in Apartheid South Africa as a taxi driver to become one of the most influential people working with there-likes as Nelson Mandela and other struggle heroes.
As a founding member of the HOPE Cape Town Trust and a trustee I was always impressed about her charm, her determination to support those less fortune combined with a clear business attitude. And what made it fascinating for me: She was a real lady in the good old fashion sense of the word. Her skills to host visitors put one back in the good old ’30’s – but in an unforgettable charming way.

Even if she could not make it to the board meetings in the last year, her spirit was always with us – and now, after she has died I am grateful to have known her. And I will miss her, her humor and the way, she could graciously flirt with a priest :-). It was always fun and lots of laughter.

Auntie Pat, rest in peace – or better: live in peace and watch us from above or where ever heaven is…

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

11/10/2013 • 1:04 am Comments Off on New York, New York

New York, New York

English: Broadway show billboards at the corne...

English: Broadway show billboards at the corner of 7th Avenue and West 47th Street in Times Square in New York City (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Those who had the pleasure of visiting New York say, that the city never sleeps and that New York is not America – somehow like Cape Town is not South Africa.
Being in town and trying to find my way through town – and obviously getting lost between upper Manhattan and some of my destinations – there is always plenty of time to observe people. Amazing how individualistic people are – how mixed – how crazy – how ordinary – how business like – and all in the same metro not even taking notice of each other. How different from Germany or even South Africa, where you can see people glancing at unusual behavior or dressing.
Sitting at a fast food chain near Times Square I observed a family holding hands and praying before starting eating – in full view of others and without any hesitation.
Race seems to be no issue – and how much would I like to see that also in South Africa – as well as the mass transport system of New York, which seems to be orderly chaotic, but at most times functional. Except when there is disruption and you are advised to use other methods of transport, then the poor visitor is lost in transition. 😦

On Monday I will have several meetings, among others with the Fordham University, which is a Catholic institution and a marketing company. I am thrilled to see whether HOPE Cape Town is able to capture the imagination of US Americans in a way which leads to support and partnership. Maybe New York is a good start with its diversity and embrace of a variety of cultures and traditions. To live in such an environment hopefully means to have an open heart and an open mind. Well, lets see what the next days will bring towards more support for HOPE Cape Town. It would be a welcomed addition to all the support and assistance the organization already gets from Europe and South Africa. HOPE Cape Town can only be as strong as the network of supporter and donor is. So cross the fingers that this city which never sleeps has a heart which never stops supporting those in need, even if they live far away in another part of the global village called earth.

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

10/25/2013 • 10:43 am Comments Off on Despite the floods..

Despite the floods..

DSC03264It is amazing and a blessing: despite the experience of severe flooding in and around Dresden in summer this year and all the suffering and destruction going with it – Dresden is gearing up for the 8th HOPE Gala and the Gala is sold out. Wow, I only can say and humbly salute towards all the people of Dresden. They give an example of refusing to concentrate only on their own plight by still continuing to stand to their commitment to do good also for those far away in South Africa as they have done all the years.

The City of Dresden, Saxonia Systems, ParX under the leadership of Viola Klein – they make it happen again and Saturday the red carpet will be rolled out in front of the Schauspielhaus for all attending this event under the umbrella of the HOPE Kapstadt Stiftung. Coming to Dresden feels for me like coming home and it the last years I had the privilege to stay in different marvelous hotels – this year the swissotel in the midst of the old city. Dresden is really worth a travel any time of the year – the world-famous Frauenkirche, the Zwinger and all the museums and historic buildings lovingly restored are making this city a world-class destination.

The HOPE Gala Dresden is the result of the love of two people from Dresden, whose knot for life was bound in Cape Town in the early hours of HOPE Cape Town’s existence. The promise to assist the project developed in seven great events which constitute the major fundraiser for HOPE Cape Town Trust. And so, Dresden provides hope, life and future for so many in the Western Cape – people, who never will know each other are connected and committed to this connection. For me, this is a modern miracle and shows, that the term “Global village” can be filled meaningful for the good of the people.

I am thrilled to watch the artists performing on Saturday eve “pro bono” – I am thrilled to see the happy face of the lucky winner of a great holiday in South Africa inclusive flights and accommodation or being the new owner of a fashion piece, designed by one of the most famous fashion designer. And I am thrilled to fly back to South Africa to tell our people about the generosity of Dresden.  And to be able to continue to work for those less fortune @ the Cape of Good HOPE.

 

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

09/30/2013 • 2:29 pm Comments Off on Interviews

Interviews

HOPE Cape Town has advertised two positions, one of a secretary and one of a resource developer. Tomorrow will be the first round of interviews for those making it to the shortlist. Interviews are not only exciting for those seeking employment or a change of position but also for the prospective employer. It is difficult to pick the right person: Qualification can be measured, but the potential of a candidate and the willingness to fit into an existing team and to add value to it is more difficult to evaluate. Candidates are trying to show their best performance and sometimes I wish to see them performing the worst at such an interview – it would make it easier for me to see the span of performance. 🙂

I am sometimes also amazed about the discrepancy between what a CV promises and what a candidate delivers. An interview showing strength and weakness in an honest way could give a hint about development potential. I am convinced that most jobs are to be conquered by anybody who has an open mind and an open heart and a solid ground of knowledge in the field of expertise. People must like what they doing, they must love to identify themselves with the work they are doing. They should be proud to be part of the company.  Starting a job does not mean to be perfect, but the first day in a new job is the beginning of an exciting development for both, the person and the company or NGO.

And so I hope that this will happen: That we find the right candidate whose work will do HOPE Cape Town proud and HOPE Cape Town does him proud. 31 colleagues are waiting to welcome the lucky one and specially our back office, serving the HOPE Cape Town Trust and the HOPE Cape Town Association will be able to go full speed and deliver on all levels.

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

08/22/2013 • 9:15 am Comments Off on HOPE Cape Town is developing…

HOPE Cape Town is developing…

Tomorrow is the Annual General Meeting of the HOPE Cape Town Association, the working arm of HOPE Cape Town which consists of two arms: aforesaid HOPE Cape Town Association which is combining all the project work on the ground and HOPE Cape Town Trust, which is leading in fundraising and marketing of the work done. Together with the German AIDS Foundation, the HOPE Cape Town Trust has a common “child”, called HOPE Kapstadt Stiftung, a dependent trust governed by German law.  To complete the picture the HOPE Cape Town family has also very close relatives:  the Kuratorium Deutschland, which relates to the HOPE Cape Town Trust and is looking together with Viola Klein to support the HOPE Gala Dresden (26.10.2013). The Freundeskreis HOPE Cape Town Trust Olching e.V. is another German and Bavarian support group of the HOPE Cape Town Trust. Not to forget HOPE & Future e.V. in Münster (Germany), which is an essential part of our supporting family. And we HOPE to give birth in the near future also to an US American entity relating to HOPE Cape Town.  And locally our brainchild is also the Ball of HOPE together with the Southern-African – German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, next year taking place on the 11th of May 2014.

There is the idea of spreading the word about the “friends of HOPE Cape Town” and if you think, you can get some people together forming a small group supporting the goals of HOPE Cape Town, then feel free to contact me for further information. HOPE Cape Town depends like any other public benefit organization on the support of many – so HOPE Cape Town understands itself as much more than a local organization – we are a network of people trying to better the lives of South African’s living with HIV and TB and everything related to it.
Sometimes I am asked why TB and why we not concentrate on HIV? The answer is very simple: TB is the twin-sister of HIV in South Africa and to combat only HIV would not making sense. They are interlinked, and so are the other social problems attached to it. Studies have shown that poverty, unemployment and unfavorable conditions lead to early death even if treatment is available. So there is so much more to HIV and AIDS. And there is so much more to do – whatever we can do as HOPE Cape Town depends on resources, manpower and funds. We have grown to 31 employees and our portfolios range from the vegetable garden in Blikkisdorp to academic research @ the University of Stellenbosch. It will depend on the ongoing and additional support of people like you, the reader of this blog, whether we can enhance our work and do more to give people hope and future.  We are willing to go the extra – mile; come and join us in one of the many ways possible:

* Donation: All our donation options are summarized on our website under donation

* Tell friends about HOPE Cape Town and ask them to have a look at our website

* Maybe you consider to donate to capital (Zustiftung in German language) and make you money work for a good cause for eternity…
* Find a circle of friends to become ambassadors of HOPE – we can assist you in this…

* Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Cause, share the links and stories and follow us

For all donations and donations to capital applies in Germany and South Africa: We are able to issue a tax-deductible receipt for the respective county.

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Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HIV Treatment, HOPE Cape Town Association, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, HOPE Cape Town Trust, HOPE Gala Dresden, Medical and Research, Networking, Politics and Society, Reflection, Religion and Ethics, SA-German Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Society and living environment, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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