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CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT 2007/2008
Dear members and friends of the MDF,
My term as Chairperson of the Gauteng branch of the MDF was filled with great experiences. We kicked off 2008 with a strategy-planning meeting, which was held, here, at the Cabanga Conference Centre early in January. The meeting was held in a very positive spirit and many goals were identified for the year ahead. I would like to thank my team, the members of the Gauteng committee, for their dedication and commitment to realise the goals we set out for ourselves. Our Administrator Tracy Weare went out of her way to sort out the office and assist members of our branch. It is with sadness that we had to say good bye to her as the Weare family have immigrated to Australia. She will be missed by all of us and all her efforts to make a success of our branch are greatly appreciated!
As a branch, we serve to directly assist affected members and their families with valuable information, referrals to genetic counselling & other clinics, special equipment, emotional support and group support. Every effort is being made to reach out to and link up with all avenues to sustain and grow the Gauteng branch so that we can offer our beneficiaries the most comprehensive support with enhanced services. We endeavour to reach out to all persons affected by muscular dystrophy and to let them know that we have information and help available at their request.
I would like to mention some salient events that took place within the Gauteng MDF branch in the past year, according to category:
Awareness
Tshide Makhudu represented our branch at the Tabaneng Primary School in Phumolong. The school had a Health Day and the MDF were given the opportunity to create awareness. Teddy bears were used to illustrate different conditions regarding disabilities and information pamphlets were distributed.
My son Yusuf did a motivational speech at the Springs Muslim School in November and at that same event, I did a talk to make the children more aware of muscular dystrophy and disabilities in general. In December, I was invited to talk on Muscular Dystrophy on Channel Islam International Radio which is broadcast to 52 countries worldwide.
During March, we contacted Online health and they agreed to display a write up on Muscular Dystrophy on their website onlinehealth.co.za and we have had 80 hits this far.
In May, I was invited to address Geneticists at the National Health Laboratory Services in Braamfontein, where genetic testing and counselling takes place. I gave the address from the perspective of someone who lives with Muscular Dystrophy on a day-to-day basis – and this casted a completely different, human perspective on the usually more clinical way that genetic testing is handled. Later in the year the NHLS will conduct a counselling workshop where interested caregivers and MDF members can learn the basic skills of counselling. For those of our members who require telephone counselling, the NHLS have notified us that they are available. Please call the office for their telephone numbers.
A booklet for caregivers of children with muscular dystrophy has been completed by our branch and we would like to thank Mr. Keith Richmond and Mrs. Jenny Seaward from UNISA for all their efforts with the editing, layout and front page of the booklet. The booklet will be printed and distributed by the Department of Social Development and placed at every state childcare facility and clinic.
Fundraising
In an ever-demanding society the challenge to raise funds for the services rendered by a welfare organization becomes bigger day by day. We are trying our best to raise funds for our branch and the challenge remains enormous.
The Annual Amateur Boxing Championships were held on 25 August 2007 at the Bright Water Commons in Randburg, where the MDF had a stand and funds were raised via donations. We would like to thank Allin and Michelle Tasker for their efforts and hard work on the day.
Our golf day which was held on 7 November 2007 at Bryanston Country Club was a splendid day and it was enjoyed by all. A lot of effort was put in and this really paid off. The day was well organised and as a result of teamwork it was a great success. We hosted 92 golfers, with each one receiving a prize at the dinner function after which we had a successful auction.
The Speakers of Note had agreed to do a comedy show for us on 23rd March 2008 which was held at the Theatre on the Square at Sandton City. Alistair Plint and his fellow Comedians Al, Kedibone, Etienne and Mel ensured that a wonderful, humorous evening was had by all – and all for a good cause.
For the first time, this year, we have been accepted as a beneficiary for Casual Day which will be on the 5th September and we will try our best to sell as much stickers as we can so that we can raise some much needed funds.
Support and Care
The Soweto Support Group has a passion for the needs of people affected with muscular dystrophy and is truly a great inspiration for us all.
Food hampers and clothing have been donated and distributed between affected members and the needy in the community. Tshide Makhudu, Zenzele and Elaine Mabokwe are doing unselfish work for us in their community for which we are very grateful.
The team’s enthusiasm and compassion to support and assist previously ignored communities, make them true philanthropists.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Francois Honiball for always being willing to help members affected with Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). There is a real need for support groups within the MDF structures and members who may be willing to take part are encouraged.
Equipment
Pieter Joubert has made various applications to Trust Funds and donor’s to assist us with funding so that we could assist our members with specialised equipment that they urgently need. It is always a challenge to find funds from donors to make this possible. We understand that family resources are already stretched to the maximum by the impact of adjusting to a disabled family member and all the extra challenges that entails.
With the hard work and persistence of Pieter our branch has been blessed with many kind donations that have enabled us to help many of our members this year. Eighteen members have been assisted with various type of equipment which include a motorised wheelchair, a light weight wheelchair, a gel cushion, a roho cushion, a standing frame, an electric bath lift, an electric hospital bed, an electric patient hoist, wheelchair tyres and batteries.
On a request from the Gauteng branch, the Department of Health Mpumulanga has assisted one of our member’s with a motorised wheelchair. The Department of Health, Gauteng has assisted seven members with motorised wheelchairs. For this we would especially like to thank Mrs. Tharina Coetzee for all her efforts to assist our members, especially the three children who needed special customised wheelchairs.
In addition, a further eight members were assisted with equipment from our equipment bank.
Appreciations
We are very grateful towards Messrs. Phillip & Theuns Langenhoven as well as Keith Richmond for donating the kombi which belonged to Ilse to us. It has always been a problem to transport equipment and members to meetings and the kombi has become a great asset to our branch. We also want to thank Fiona’s in Randburg for allowing us to park the kombi at their secure premises.
Ster Kinekor generously donated three Sony Playstation gift packs to our affected children. The happy recipients were Lancelot Maluleka, Lucky Shabalala and Masood Hamid. They were really excited and very pleased to receive these gifts.
Mr. Chris Mason, one of our members has printed personal business cards for us free of charge. He has also done other printing for us in the past and for that we are most grateful.
The selling of Christmas cards has once again made a valuable contribution to our coffers. We would like to thank Margaret, Dawn and her team at Club 34 for all their efforts to sell the cards on behalf of the MDF. They did a fantastic job and it is much appreciated.
Our branch would like to extend our sincerest gratitude towards Mrs. Elinor Richards from Rosebank Accountants who has been doing our books and also to Newton Walker Chartered Accountants (S.A.) who has been auditing our books for us at no cost.
General
We are truly grateful for all the donations made in the last year, especially by the Anglo American Trust, Trust for Cripple Care, Carl and Emily Fuchs Foundation, G. Elkin Trust, SA Mint Company, Bitrate and several others. Being a NGO with no steady funding, each contribution makes a difference that enables us to provide support to our members.
Tshidi Makhudu and I attended a meeting at the Association for the Physically Disabled on the 15th September 2007 and it became evident that it is important for our foundation to become part of all other disability organisations.
Various applications have been made to Trust Funds to become beneficiaries and we are eagerly awaiting their response. Lotto has requested and received a budget breakdown from us and we are holding thumbs for a positive outcome on our request for funding to support our branch.
Project proposals were also submitted to the office of the Presidency and the Human Development Social Funding for assistance. An application was also made to the Department of Social Development for a social worker and we hope that they will consider our needs.
The business plan, case statement and member database has been completed and will play a vital role in the building of the MDF into a stronger, sustainable organisation.
There is always a need for more people to take part in the events of the MDF. We always have projects that need to be fulfilled and volunteers are certainly welcome. We hope you enjoy reading about the work we’re doing to assist and support our members in the next issue of the MDF Magazine.
Each and every one who has served on the committee has made a contribution in the spirit of the MDF and it was a pleasure to work with you. Let’s continue to grow our foundation from strength to strength to ever greater heights!
Once again, thank you to all our dedicated committee members for their commitment and support!
Yours sincerely,
Fatima Talia
Chairperson
Muscular Dystrophy Foundation (Gauteng Branch)
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