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Touching lives...
changing communities (leaving God's fingerprints)
We live in a very real world - a world where we are all too aware of the brokenness and vulnerability of our society. A large percentage of our population lives with, and daily faces, the very real issues of poverty: Unemployment, limited access to basic facilities, ever increasing number of deaths due to HIV/AIDS and the resultant orphaned children and destitute elderly. Those living in poverty are frequently caught up in the seemingly endless cycle of hopelessness, drug abuse, physical abuse, homelessness, hunger and violence. Acts2Change is a non-profit (Art 21 Company) organisation which exists to identify such immediate needs in a community, and then to address them and seek sustainable solutions. Experience has shown that by establishing a close triangular, relationship between a community church, a local school and a 'resource', hope is rekindled as individual lives are touched and positively impacted.
Vision: To ignite and maintain a sustainable program which will touch individual lives and create hope in every community member - leading to self empowerment and the eventual upliftment, and change, of that community.
Strategy: To create hope within a particular, impoverished community - not by merely addressing the immediate poverty needs, but by developing a sustainable community-orientated solution. Intentional 'acts of mercy' cause hope to be rekindled within individual lives, and this leads to the upliftment of the community itself. The outcome of changed communities will be changed cities...and ultimately, a changed nation.
Model: Establishing a close, triangular relationship between a resource-partner (church/group/business etc), a church in an underprivileged (township) community and a nearby local school. Identify (through research) specific needs and then initiate intentional, practical 'acts of mercy' to alleviate those immediate needs. Thus a beacon of God's mercy and grace is established which will radiate the many facets of the heart of God - like a light being refracted into the colours of the rainbow by a prism.
Acts2Change - Practical Implementation: At Acts2Change we passionately believe that the local church and school actually represent a micro-cosmos of a community, therefore the close co-operation between them is the key to effectively address - in a practical manner - the pressing spiritual and social issues of that community. Since April 2008 we have implemented the following: 1 Pulamadibogo Primary School 
We linked up with Pulamadibogo Primary School (Block Y, Soshanguve) with the initial aim to minister to the children who have been orphaned (both parents deceased) - mainly due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. A very close relationship has been established with the principal, the educators and the School Governing Body. 
2 Kerus House of Encouragement Orphan Care Center  Acts2Change has erected the Kerus House of Encouragement Orphan Care Center on the premises of the Ark of the Covenant International Church, 569 block Y, Soshanguve. This is not an institutional 'orphanage' where the children stay full-time. We subscribe to the government's policy that these children need to remain a part of their community. Currently 64 orphans are registered at the Center. The program includes: Lunch consisting of basic, nutritionally balanced food. Homework done under adult supervision. Planned schedule for every day's activities: Music, culture, religion, social, etc. Identification of traumatised children (and providing counseling). Spiritual input to foster the development of high moral and ethical standards. Life-skills training using the "It Takes Courage! Youth Curriculum". Monthly food parcels to every orphan who is a part of the program - and also a food
parcel when schools close for vacation. Assistance with clothing, blankets, etc. as the need arises. Special occasions such as a visit to the zoo, Christmas Party, organised sport, etc. A vegetable garden where the children gain experience in gardening.
3 Community Involvement: Touching lives.....!  We heard the story of 'Ouma Joyce' - a granny who is raising her orphaned grandchildren on a meagre old-age pension. Half of her 4-roomed house had collapsed, leaving a gaping hole in the wall of the remaining 2 rooms. Acts2Change was able to facilitate the rebuilding and upgrading of her house. We have commenced ministry to the elderly - about 30 attend the regular meeting where they are entertained, but also encouraged to discuss their challenges in raising their grandchildren, do handcraft, etc. We also endeavour to regularly give food parcels to them.
As part of Acts2Change's desire to positively impact the community, 700 chairs were donated to Kondelelani Secondary School where 1000 pupils were competing daily for 400 chairs. A group of volunteers also repainted 5 classrooms at the school. The rebuilding of Martha's shack (a single mom with 3 children) after it had burnt down completely. They had lost everything in the fire... We have had several "clothing days" at the Centre where about 50 poor and needy (especially elderly) from the community of Block 'Y' were able to select clothing for themselves and those that they take care of. We were also able to help them with blankets. Acts2Change facilitated the re-roofing of 1/2 of Ps David Mkhonza's house, painting, and the re-installation of electricity. At Pulamadibogo and Lesedi-Potlana Primary schools Acts2Change has facilitated the donation of educational and sporting equipment. "Ke ka Bophelo!" (It's about Life!) garden project: We believe that by providing a family in
need with the know-how and means to establish and maintain their own food garden can make a substantial impact on improving their household's food security. A vegetable garden has been established at the Orphan Care Center with the following objectives:
a. Producing fresh vegetables for daily consumption at the Center. b. Involving the orphans in an experiential learning environment - developing life skills in gardening, teamwork and leadership. c. Demonstrating to the orphans and their guardians how to establish such a vegetable garden at their home. d. Planting a fruit tree (avocado/mango) at the homes of the orphans. e. Raising chickens to provide fresh eggs and meat.
4 "It Takes Courage! Youth Curriculum" Acts2Change has hosted two "It Takes Courage! Youth Curriculum" Conferences (in March 2009 and 2010) attended by principals and educators from 44 schools in Soshanguve. The "ITC Curriculum" is a Kerus Global Education program which targets the 10-20 yrs age group. It teaches character development and core life skills that help young people to create a vision for their life, build healthy relationships, make wise choices and avoid HIV/AIDS infection. Approximately 7000 students are currently enrolled in the "ITC" program on a weekly basis. The feed-back from school principals, educators and the Tshwane North District of the Department of Education has been excedingly positive. During June 2010 researchers from the University of Northen Colorado (USA) did a two-week research project on the impact of the 'ITC!' program at the schools where it is being implemented..... we are awaiting the results with great anticipation.
The Future..... a. Acts2Change is busy with the development of a new Orphan Care Center in Block 'W', Soshanguve. There are 68 orphans at Lesedi-Potlana Primary School. b. The establishement of an Orphan Care Center in Block 'P', Soshanguve, where we already are involved with about 17 orphans in St. Francis Primary School. Acts2Change 'inherited' them from another missions organisation which moved their ministry base to Zambia. There are 50 double orphans (no living parent) in this school. The establishing of a "Job Club" (in co-operation with the Department of Social Development) where we will assist unemployed people (as high as 40% in some areas of Soshanguve) to apply for jobs. This will include assisting them to compile an elementary CV and complete job applications. We will also introduce candidates to 'learnership' opportunities (apprenticeships) in skilled and semi-skilled jobs. The expansion of the ITC! training to schools throughout Gauteng as well as other Provinces. Expanding the Acts2Change Model to other impoverished communities in Soshanguve. Developing capacity to assist orphans and their caregivers to access applicable Government grants.
Appreciation It is very invigorating to experience the enthusiasm with which people give of themselves to touch the lives of the needy and destitute... it continues to ignite new HOPE in us - and enables us to continue with our task. THANK YOU! We gratefully acknowledge the generous donations of time, energy, expertise, physical labour, finances, food, clothing, blankets, equipment, etc... The compassionate involvement of so many people has enabled Acts2Change to tangibly demonstrate the caring heart of God. THANK YOU!
A special word of appreciation to the dedicated workers and volunteers in Soshanguve! THANK YOU!
We acknowledge the tremendous impact on this ministry of our 'Founding Partners': Ark of the Covenant International Church. House of Encouragement (Switzerland), Kerus Global Education (USA) and Doxa Deo Church (Brooklyn, Pretoria). Without their financial support and continued personal involvement we would not have achieved much! THANK YOU!
Acts2Change Ministries 99 Burns Street, Colbyn, Pretoria 0083 / Non profit (Art 21) Co. # 95/03263 Acts2Change, ABSA Bank, Centurion / Account: 4072077281 Office: +27 12 430 5271 Cell: +27 82 558 7832
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