MARCH 2017 ISSUE NINE

Choosing the right path Letter from a resident

Dear Sisters Incorporated, Wow, so much time has gone by since we’ve visited, it feels like a lifetime! I feel so blessed every day for all the opportunities that come our way and it’s all because of the love and guidance we found there! Daniel has started school and is a teacher’s pet. Everyone says he is so well-mannered (Thank you Karin, we miss you!). Joshua has started kickboxing as well as dong extra science classes. He wants to be a scientist now. And me? I’ve started working at an aftercare helping children with homework. I fi nd it challenging but I am learning a whole lot! I am proud to say I have started studying Psychology and offi cially have started the ground work for my school! Thank you Aunty Lorna. I still crochet and paint, although not every day. I have to admit I still miss Ntombi’s cooking and loving heart, but don’t really enjoy being in the kitchen. One thing I am grateful for is making the decision to walk into Sisters Incorporated. God has opened up so many doors, which has brought us so much joy. I can’t imagine life without Him. I still struggle with trusting people but I think that will take time. The kids and I are more calm and confi dent than what we were when we came there. Well everyone, be blessed and keep up God’s work. With all our love, Sandy and the boys

In this issue ...

◉ Volunteers event ◉ 16 days of activism campaign ◉ Donor blessings ◉ Farewell to Board member Events VOLUNTEERS EVENT An event with a difference! On 19 November 2016, our second Volunteers’ Event took place and this time around, a lot more fun and work went into planning the event. Bernadette Simpson suggested that we should get the Ikey Tigers to wait on our volunteers, instead of doing the ‘normal’ chores of cleaning up, etc and it turned out to be a day that the volunteers and the young rugby players will never forget.

The morning started with the volunteers being escorted by the Ikey Tigers to their seats and receiving a small bouquet of fl owers. Little Kiara, a resident’s daughter, sang Frozen’s theme song ‘Let it Go’ as part of the mornings activities. The Ikey Tigers really took their job as waiters seriously and made sure that no lady had to get up and get her own drink or breakfast.

It was an amazing morning, which ended on high a note with the rugby players serenading and singing their theme song to our volunteers. Thank you to the volunteers who accepted our invitation and to the Ikey Tigers who once again put a smile on all our faces.

PRE-CHRISTMAS PARTY A group called WINGS treated our kiddies to an early Christmas and their faces all lit up when they opened their many gifts. It was thoroughly enjoyed by the kids. CHRISTMAS EVE LUNCH In June 2016, Stacey-Lee Anthony contacted Delene Roberts to discuss plans for a Christmas lunch. After a few emails, it was agreed that it would be a Christmas Eve lunch instead and on 24 December, a group of family and friends calling themselves ‘Family of Angels’ provided a home-cooked meal and a room full of gifts and love. Thank you for choosing Sisters Incorporated and making our Christmas so memorable. Events VALENTINE’S DAY An idea that developed at Sisters Incorporated in February 2016 became a reality this past Valentine’s Day and we are extremely grateful to Lorna Johnson, from Global Linkages, and the ladies (The Magnifi cent 7) from Destination: in the United States of America (USA). They all made it an incredibly special day, not just for the residents but also for the staff. They brought along all the decorations and goodies for the gift bags from the USA as well as the donations in kind. It was indeed a pleasure to have these ladies here.

THANKS FROM RESIDENTS ...

A warm thank you for a wonderful meal and evening. Thank you for the wonderful gifts. Warm regards Charmaine

I would just like to say thank you for making this Valentine’s Day so special. I have never felt so much love as I do here by Sisters Incorporated and from people who really care. I had a lovely Lorna Johnson made it possible for us to show off and sell time and I will treasure the our handmade crafts at a market held at the Cape Sun Hotel, memory of this. Thank you which was well supported by the bigger group. There was Dominique and kids so much interest in the ethnic (cultural) runners made by Lorna Solomons and the residents that a further 12 orders were placed. LADIES GATHERING Heartfelt thanks to the Oak Tree Ladies for inviting our residents to a special lunch where they were encouraged by guest speakers. 2516 daysNOVEMBER 2016 Our social worker and four of our ladies 30 NOVEMBER 2016 attended a Carehaven event where The Womens Shelter Movement (WSM), which butterfl y mobiles were created as part is currently chaired by Delene Roberts, hosted its 2nd annual of their arts and crafts activity aligned to ‘The Only Thing you Beat is a Drum’ event held in the message of transformation and collaboration with the Red Zebra Foundation at the Company beauty, including all the stages, even Gardens. It was well attended by the public and was more where there is pain. impactful as a lunch time event. It was exciting to have the event covered by the SABC and it was broadcasted on the SABC3 News at 7:30pm on the day.

2 December 2016: Sisters Incorporated and three other shelters were invited to attend the 2nd annual 16 Days of Activism Empowerment Breakfast event hosted by Good Hope FM at the Fire and Ice Protea Hotel. Speakers, Karen Kortje and Leigh Ann Williams, boldly shared how abuse had impacted their lives. During the breakfast Delene Roberts was interviewed live on the radio.

At the same time, the 5 DECEMBER 2016 Polished Man campaign took Sisters Incorporated hosted Taryn Little, place and men, including a counselling psychologist, motivational Mr. Allan Winde, MEC speaker, performer and writer, who Western Cape Economic brought with her the message of “The Opportunities, were World Needs You”. She used dance, volunteered to have one music and drama to share her fi nger nail polished and empowering story, as featured over painted to show that they three months in Essays of Africa magazine. stood against violence against Residents from St. Anne’s Home as well women and children. as Childline were in attendance.

10 December 2016: Nadine Philmon and friends visited with us especially to spoil our ladies with mini-manicures and the ladies thoroughly enjoyed them. Looking forward to the next treatment 10 December 2016: Children were treated by Project Smile to gifts, entertainment and a meal.

The culminating event of the 16 Days of Activism took place on 10 December 2016 at a camp in Noordhoek for families from Hanover Park, Lavender Hill and . The love pamphlet was shared at this private gathering to communicate and create focused awareness of abuse against women and children. Donors BATHROOM MAKEOVERS We are completely overwhelmed by the generosity of Before After the Nussbaum Foundation, and in particular Stella, Mandy and the other Trustees. A simple thank you and acknowledgment in our newsletter simply doesn’t seem to be enough but knowing that our bathrooms no longer ‘scream for help’ anymore, puts a huge smile on our faces. THANK YOU! Before After Before After

NATIONAL LOTTERIES COMMISSION Special mention goes to the National Lotteries Commission for funding received, which enabled us to purchase a Toyota Yaris and put money towards the running costs of the organisation.

BOA DIVAS Once again you went the extra mile to raise funds for Sisters Incorporated as one of your benefi ciaries. We appreciate the fundraisers you held and realise what a lot of work it took and commend you on it. Thank you A heartfelt thanks to Janice, a vivacious singer/songwriter born and raised in the ladies and may 2017 be just as fruitful Mother City, for the donations she collected as 2016. at her show and dropped off at Sisters Incorporated. It is highly appreciated. CHARLES GLASS SOCIETY URBAN MOMMY It was overwhelming to receive an email stating that Sisters Incorporated was one of 20 nominated benefi ciaries and had been selected as one of fi ve organisations to receive a monetary donation. It is indeed an honour to know that our work is acknowledged in other sectors. Thank you to Theo August and Kerith Chetty for the nomination, and heartfelt thanks to the Society for selecting us.

CORRECTION In our September 2016 newsletter, we mistakenly printed the incorrect name for the ROTARY CLUB. We, therefore, Monique Joseph, founder of Urban Mommy Inc in the USA, and her husband Sheldon, visited us in November. Monique searched for an wish to give special mention to the ROTARY CLUB organisation in to partner with and chose Sisters KIRSTENBOSCH for the wonderful donation that allowed Incorporated. On the day of the visit, she spent time with Delene Roberts us to upgrade our security system. Many thanks! and Bernadette Simpson to get to know all about us. Monique also arrived with donations in kind from our needs list. Staff STAFF YEAR-END FUNCTION A day outing to Joie De Vivre in Paarl gave us an opportunity to get all dressed up in a nautical theme! This day was, however, not the same as we were reminiscing on how much we miss and how much fun we would have had with Karin (but God knew best). Heartfelt thanks to the Board for allowing us to take time out and just have pure fun. It was much needed and a great stress reliever.

CHILD CARE FACILITY A great day-trip to Boulders took place where each child could experience the penguins and enjoy the lovely sea water – a time to feel free and just run up and down in the water. The cherry on top was a visit to Wynberg Park the following day, where the kids were spoiled with a McDonalds lunch and could experience various and different playground equipment.

A WORD FROM THE MANAGER ... In a split second the seasons have changed and we come to realise that we’ve crossed into the new season with grace. I take a minute to refl ect and review my time at Sisters Incorporated thus far ... to realise what has been achieved despite sometimes diffi cult times, makes me stand in awe. I commend my team for their commitment in times of need, in times of stress, in times of darkness and also in the good times. We strive for perfection, knowing that no one is perfect, but we complement each other and make the best of each situation. I stand amazed at how united we stand and this truly shows that we became SISTERS. Thank you ladies for making my task as your manager much easier. More and more it becomes evident how many organisations are struggling to access much needed funding to continue providing services that are so desperately needed. Undoubtedly, there is always an increasing need for our services. In saying this, I want to thank our funders and loyal donors for their support during 2016, which has enabled us to keep our doors open. Sisters Incorporated continues to strive to improve its service delivery to the women and their children and help them in their time of need and crisis. As for 2017 ... in the words of our chairperson, Dr Amelia Jones, “Our overall goal is to maintain and continue to develop Sisters Incorporated as a best practice in our fi eld”. On this note, I would like to thank the Board for their continued support and sound advice. To our volunteers that so generously give their time, thank you and know that I appreciate your commitment towards the organisation. Many of our tasks are lighter because of your helping hands. Farewell to Joyce Tambo

We want to thank Jo ce Tmbo for her commitment as a Board member of Sisters Incorporated. We truly appreciate everything you have done and wish you well with your future endeavours.

All design, layout, editing, printing, digital marketing and communication material, is sponsored by caring and committed designers and their suppliers. No money from Sisters Incorporated has been spent on this newsletter. Volunteers

Melanie Lippert from Nal'ibali, has partnered A hearty welcome to Simone Donsbaek and Anne Louise Michaelsen and Marie Oesterby with Sisters Incorporated and has donated Maria Beyer from Scanza. They joined us in are nursing students from Scanza and they books. Nal'ibali is a national reading-for- December 2016 as volunteers for a six-month spent a month with us. enjoyment campaign that sparks children’s period and have been placed in the Child potential through storytelling and reading. Care Facility. Their input and support is Melanie regularly visits for story time. highly appreciated.

THANK YOU ... Ackerman Family ER Tonneson Trust Robin Good Alison Davison FG Connock Trust Robin-Lee Andrews All Saints Church Grace Family Church RSA Litho Ayanda Dlamini Gray Trust Schwartz Trust Cathy Quickfall Karen Lupini St. Thomas Ladies Group Club 100 Kevin Scott (New Apostolic Church) Tracey Gold Chris Brunold Lodge Dedication Tuesday Tarts Cycling Group Christ Church Constantia Munieba Swanepoel U&G Textiles Clifford Harris Nicole and Pamela Cornell UK Stewardship Debbie Hoffman Noleen Hepburn Union of Jewish Women Department of Social Development Opechee Design Studio Vital Foundation Engen Garage, Ladies Mile Revelstone Woolworths Kenilworth Centre

To all our volunteers who give of their precious time, we are indebted to you, your kindness and commitment. If you haven't been mentioned, please forgive us and remember that without you, Sisters Incorporated would certainly not be where it is today.

We need your assistance ... Sisters Incorporated is dependent on the community for its survival and our needs are ever-increasing. You can make a difference in the lives of our women and children by assisting fi nancially or volunteering to help or fundraise. Bank account details: Sisters Incorporated, FNB Claremont branch 200109, account 50265055465.

DESIGNED WITH COMPLIMENTS PRINTED WITH COMPLIMENTS

Shelter for abused women and their children tel.fax. 021 797 4190 • [email protected] • po box 2330 clareinch 7740 • www.sisters.org.za • NPO 003-160