Support the Horse Rescue Centre (R10) and WIN!

STAND A CHANCE OF WINNING AN AWESOME GOODIE FILLED HAMPER! RAFFLE TICKETS @ R10 !

Dassenberg Horse Rescue Centre (NPO 068-774) in Cape Town is on a mission to come to the aid of horses who suffer from maltreatment and cruelty. This organisation does NOT receive any monetary donations and is facing a crisis as they do not have funds for food and medication.

They have decided that instead of just asking for donations, they would like to offer something in return. They are selling raffle tickets at R10.00 (only ten bucks!) and they have some really cool prizes for those of us who are the lucky ones to win.

D.H.R.C  IS A PLACE OF HOPE FOR MANY BRUTILISED HORSES.
If you wish to buy some tickets (and remember if you buy more, you increase your chances of winning!), please contact them on Facebook here, or you can make a deposit to their account:

D.H.R.C
FNB – Table View
620 2553 2004  (Acc)
203 809  (Branch)

Ref: Raffle

Email your proof of payment to Animals at Heart and they will email you your raffle ticket:
Avril / Animals At Heart – 0726998832 or animalsatheart@gmail.com

If you do not have money, but you do have some time you would like to donate, it might be an idea to contact D.H.R.C as they would also like some volunteers to help in the care of these beautiful animals (VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY!).

Draw to take place at Café La-té, 47 Blaauwberg Rd on 01 August 2009.  Winners who are not present will be notified telephonically

———————————————————————————-

1st Prize valued at R1360
Hamper Includes:
Breakfast voucher for two at Café La-té in Table View valued at R100
Free Entry at Club 91 in Claremont for 4 people valued at R160 (Dress Code and Age Group Dependent!)
10 Unit Gaming Contract from GameON (Xbox, PS2, PS3 and Wii) valued at R180
Two Music or Guitar Lessons compliments of Musicians Central valued at R200
Body Shop Pamper Gift Set valued at R200, Novel valued at R180, Medium Teddy Bear – R80, Two Bottles of Wine – R110
Slabs of Chocolate, Bags of Chips, Packets of Sweets, Packs of Licorice and Allsorted Biscuits valued at a further R150

2nd Prize Valued at R250.00
Hamper Includes:
Free Coffee for two at Café La-té, 3-Piece Bath Set, Bottle of Wine, Sweets and Biscuits

3rd  Prize Valued at R250.00
Hamper Includes:
Free Coffee for two at Café La-té, 3-Piece Bath Gift Basket Set, Bottle of Wine, Sweets and Biscuits

CONTACT:

Avril / Animals At Heart – 0726998832 or animalsatheart@gmail.com (Tickets, Fundraising)
Marlese/ DHRC – 0828817040 – marlese.groenewald@glsolutions.co.za (Adoptions, Rescues, Volunteering)
Mayanna/ DHRC – 021 572 0738 (Adoptions, Rescues, Volunteering)

Or join the facebook group here!

Kennel Building Day – Come Join!

For our four legged friends in Khayelitsha!

The South African Mass Animal Sterilisation Trust invites you to come and build kennels with them on Saturday 11 July in the Sports Hall, Constantia Waldorf School.

Building a kennel is a great way for family and friends to spend some quality time with each other, have lots of fun and give the gift of warmth and shelter to dogs and puppies in Khayelitsha.

What will be provided: Wood, nails and paint.

What to bring: Hammers, paint brushes and a saw if you have one.

Cups of hot soup and bread can be purchased or you can bring your own lunch.

To help us cover the cost of the building materials we ask that R10 per child and R20 per adult attending, be donated please.

All children attending must be accompanied by an adult please.

Collection boxes for pet food, pet accessories, old towels and blankets, second hand clothes and children’s toys will also be available.

“It’s easy to build a kennel and all are welcome. Please join us!”

Join the Facebook group here.

Questions? Contact:

Phone:	0217943761
Email:	samast@webafrica.org.za

Donate R200 toward a bed to support a child suffering with HIV/AIDS

St. Joseph’s Home For Children’s Mini Mind The Gap Project

St. Joseph’s Home For Children’s needs to increase their HIV/AIDS bed capacity from their current 20 beds to 25 beds and are hoping to receive 120 x R200 donations from the people like you and me to help meet that goal.

How your donation will help:

• Contribute toward expanding bed capacity by 5 beds

• Help maintain Parent housing and meals program

• Assist in expanding services to those most in need

• Contribute to expanded care that will keep children alive

CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE NOW

Request from St Joseph’s:

“St. Joseph’s established the HIV/AIDS Sunflower medical ward in 2002 in response to the overcrowding of HIV infected babies and young children in provincial hospitals. Sunflower’s beds allow provincial hospitals to free up critical care beds, with St. Joseph’s serving as a medical step down facility. Our treatment involves weight gain, reduction and treatment of opportunistic infections, developmental stimulation through Physio-/Occupational therapy, and through the administration of Anti Retroviral medications.

HIV/AIDS Sunflower Ward accepts children from birth up to 6 years of age. Older children with HIV/AIDS are cared for in our adolescent medical wards. Because all of our HIV infected babies and young children have a mother also infected with HIV, some of our children are orphaned as a result of their parent’s succumbing to the AIDS virus or as a result of parents being overwhelmed by the impact of the virus. In each of these instances we work with government to secure a foster placement for the child.

Most children are medically stabilized and ready to return home within 6 months of treatment. Both mother and child will need to be on Anti Retroviral medication for the remainder of their lives. For long term success, we conduct training workshops to teach the parents the skills necessary to live a productive life with HIV. While HIV is no longer a death sentence, it will take dedicated facilities like St. Joseph’s Home to stabilize and save the lives of children born with HIV/AIDS.

The government can only support 20 HIV/AIDS beds, although we have a capacity for additional beds. We are requesting your support in assisting us to fund up to 5 additional HIV/AIDS beds over a one-year period.”

CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE NOW

Have a heart this Valentines Day and spread the love! <3

 

Spreading the luuurve baby!

It’s less than two weeks away from Valentines Day so why not take a little bit of time to let cupid’s arrow help you to spread the love in your community.

Whether you are single, or have someone special in your life, you can take this opportunity to make Valentines day about more than just red roses and chocolate.

Grab your loved one, or a group of single friends and make plans to have a heart on February 14th.

Some great ways to spread the love

• Call a nearby childrens home and ask for a list of kids names including gender and age. Buy them “anonymous” Valentines cards and Valentines gift such as boxes of heart chocolates or jewellery for girls, or cologne or other toiletries such as hair gel for boys. Arrange with the home to have the gifts distributed to the kids from “secret admirers” and give their little egos a real boost.

 

 

• Contact your local old age home and organise a Valentines breakfast or lunch for the elderly. If you really wanted to go all out, you could arrange to take them out on “group dates” to a cosy restaurant on this special day as way to remind these special members of society that they are still loved

 

• Visit a hospice or similar organisation caring for terminally ill patients bringing chocolates, red streamers and heart shaped balloons to decorate their rooms to spread the love and add a little bit of joy to the hearts of those who are scared and alone.

 

• Instead of buying your loved one a new watch or pair of shoes, adopt a pet from the SPCA or animal shelter. Not only will you be giving your special someone a special little someone, but you will also be saving an innocent animal from being put down.

 

• Instead of going for a Valentines lunch, call the local shelter or animal rescue organisation and ask how you and your partner can volunteer to help for the day. Cleaning penguins or playing with puppies can make a real unforgettable date that will remind you and your partner of the real meaning of love and affection.

 

If you have any more ideas or suggestions, let me know and we can grow the list together!

Have a fabulous Valentines day and enjoy spreading the love (“,) x

8 things you didnt know about milk

MILK_by_cfcoughlin

 

• Milk doesn’t prevent osteoporosis. Studies at Harvard University concluded that milk does not protect against bone fractures, because milk’s high protein content leaches calcium from the bones. Women who drank 3 glasses of milk a day had more fractures than those who rarely drank milk. That Harvard study is quite interesting, with some good recommendations in the full article: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/calcium-and-milk/

• Shooting blanks? Synthetic growth hormones have been linked to infertility in men who drank lots of milk as boys. http://www.bwcsa.co.za/factoryfarming/misery.html

• Even ’skim’ milk is 25% fat! All dairy products contain high levels of fat and cholesterol. One 250 ml / 8 oz glass of whole milk contains nearly 10 grams of fat and 34 mg of cholesterol. Even so-called ’skim’ milk gets over 25% of its calories from fat, most of this saturated. In short, dairy contains high levels of fat and cholesterol – two of the principal nutrients most national health authorities recommend reducing in the typical Western diet. http://www.animalrightsafrica.org/VeganReasons_Milk.php

• Cows don’t naturally produce milk. They have to be kept pregnant and delivering calves, which end up being eaten by so-called gourmets. Calves are taken away from their mothers soon after birth and imprisoned in crates, where they have no room to turn or lie down. The meat of calves is called veal and immobility (ie tying up the little legs so the leg muscles cannot move) helps keep the flesh tender and the pale colour is achieved by keeping the calves anaemic through lack of iron in their diet. This results in chronic diarrhoea, which continues until they are slaughtered. The calves are essentially a waste by-product. Separation is extremely distressing for both mother and baby. http://www.animalrightsafrica.org/AnimalsAsFood.php

• The fun life of the indoor cow. On a typical dairy farm, cows stand on concrete, chained by the neck to be milked by machines. To boost their production, farmers inject their cows with artificial growth hormones that increase the cow’s chance of developing mastitis, a painful condition of the udders. Normally a cow udder will hold 2 litres of milk – the dairy cow is forced to produce up to 10 litres, causing the udder to become so heavy it sometimes drags on the ground.
  http://www.bwcsa.co.za/factoryfarming/misery.html

• Milk is BAD for your baby. Cow’s milk lacks essential fatty acids human infants need for neurological development. Babies drinking whole milk in their first two years develop allergies, colic, diabetes; milk causes internal bleeding in children, which contributes to anemia. http://www.afpafitness.com/articles/articles-and-newletters/research-articles-index/nutrition-wellness/milk-is-it-really-our-best-source-for-calcium/

• Milk protein attacks the immune system. Cow’s milk contains antibiotics, pesticides, chemicals, hormones, blood, white cells (pus), and bacteria from mastitis (udder infection) which the USDA and FDA either do not test for, or which they allow to be present in unacceptably high levels. http://www.4alw.com/liquid-calcium/nurses.htm

• Breast fed a calf lately? Humans are the only species that continues to drink milk after they are weaned. Drinking the milk of a dog or cat would be unthinkable, so it is just as bizarre to drink the milk of a cow! Human milk is designed for human babies and cows milk is designed for – yes, baby cows! http://www.bwcsa.co.za/factoryfarming/farming.html

• So, what can you drink instead? Alternatives such as rice or soy milk, available in powder form from health shops, or in long life boxes at Woolies are readily available. For the more adventurous, Nut milk can be made by mixing 1 cup of any nuts or seeds, soaked overnight and drained with 3 cups filtered water. Experiment by adding 1 Tablespoon raw honey or 2-3 pitted dates or 1 teaspoon celtic sea salt (optional). Mix in a blender, blend all ingredients until smooth. Strain mixture through a sprout bag or cheese cloth.Make informed choices and enjoy the benefits! (“,)

Environmentally conscious new years resolutions

5 new years resolutions with a difference

Its been such a fantastic festive season – the sun has been shining (albeit in spite of the wind), the road death toll has been reduced (thanks for not drinking and driving) and many of us have blessed enough to be able to enjoy the warmth and shelter of family, friends and loved ones.

Lets take some time to reflect on the contribution that each of us make in relation to our friends and family, our country, the animals and our environment, and those less fortunate than us. New years is synonymous with new beginnings, and while its been said a thousand times that we shouldn’t wait until the 31^st to make that change, its still a time of great consciousness for reformation.

Take the pledge to change yourself, your life and your environment for the better this year:

1. I resolve to not drink and drive in 2009.
   If its going to be a hectic night out, stay over by a friend or get a designated driver. If everyone wants to drink, plan in advance to leave your car in a safe spot and share a taxicab between two or more friends. With rates as low as R8 per KM, sharing a cab back can be affordable and beats the alternative! 

2. I resolve to stop buying plastic bags.
   Did you know its costs more to recycle a plastic bag than to manufacture a new one? Less than 1% of bags are recycled, the rest end up polluting the land, rivers and sea, killing countless innocent animals. They end up in sewerage systems and blocking drainage pipes. Keep a material bag in your car, or resuse existing bags by folding them up and keeping them in your handbag or just carry smaller items in your hands. A new T-shirt or pair of shoes does not need a plastic bag. Take a look at the danger of plastic bags here.
3. I resolve to donate all my old magazines & newspapers to a local school’s recycling program.
   The primary or high school down the road will be all to happy to relieve you of all your paper waste – not only are you saving the environment, but you are contributing to the schools fundraising efforts because for each KG recycled, the school receives a small payment. If you have a recycling program at the office, support that in the same way.

 

1. I resolve to eat more raw fruit and veg, organic where possible.
   By eating RAW fruit and vegetables everyday, you are helping your body by supplying vital enzymes that are destroyed by cooking. Your body needs these enzymes, vitamins and nutrients to recover after the festive seasons indulgences. By choosing organic where you can, you also reduce the number of chemicals you ingest and support environmentally conscious farmers, helping the planet, too.

 

1. I resolve to gather old toys and clothes for a nearby charity.
   The gifts that the festive season brings means that now is the perfect time to gather all those older toys and clothes together for those who weren’t as blessed as you were. If you need some help finding a home, orphanage or organisation to donate to, browse through the causes listed on our blog or drop me a message via our facebook group and I’ll help make sure your goodies get there

 

 

Remember to be the change you want to see in the world.

Happy 2009

 

Become a mentor – Big Brother Big Sister South Africa

Big Brother Big Sister South Africa is a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping children at risk, between the ages of 6 & 18 years. It is a mentoring programme that matches youth in need with carefully selected and trained adult volunteers in one to one relationships that help them maximize their potential.

 

They will be celebrating their ANNUAL AWARDS DAY in November with a a small event for all community mentoring matches to celebrate the mentors and mentees graduating after their one year commitment.

 

They are appealing to you to assist us!

 

Anyone interested in assisting in making this day special can do so by donating the any of the following items:

• Gifts for teenagers: stationery, toiletries, music CDs.
• Sponsorships of platters, juices, fruit, snacks etc.
• Sponsorship of drumming and other fun games/activities,
• Gifts/ Vouchers to thank Mentors or all their efforts.

 

Please help them to make the day as special as possible!!!

 

To assist, or for more information about the mentorship program and to find out how by volunteering just one hour a week, you can influence a child’s life forever give them hope for a better future visit their website , email makeadifference@bbbssa.org.za or contact them via telephone on +27 (0)21 685 4467.

Fill a shoebox for an underprivileged child this festive season

  

The Kidz2Kidz Santa Shoebox Project has a list of 5000 underprivileged children in the Western Cape and now need people like you and me to help fill them.

The concept is simple – you choose how many children you want to create shoe boxes for, request names from Kidz2Kidz. They will supply you with names and ages of kids you can fill boxes for.

This is a great opportunity to get your kids, friends, family and colleagues involved in the community

 

HOW TO PACK YOUR SHOEBOX:

1. Find an empty medium-size shoebox.
Wrap the lid and box separately in wrapping paper or decorate the lid and box using paint, drawings, clippings from magazines etc. creating a “keep sake” box and at the same time minimizing paper waste from unwrapping the boxes.

2. Label your box.
Stick the label on the outside of the lid – top right hand corner. Add sticky tape to ensure the label is secure. Take care to complete the required information in full.

3. Fill the box.
Use the gift ideas list for inspiration to fill your Santa Shoebox with a variety of age/gender appropriate gifts for your child. Please do not include items specified above.

4. Close the box.
Please use string, raffia or any other re-useable material to close and secure the lid on the box.

 

GIFT IDEAS

All items should be new & age appropriate Please include items from each category
TOYS something to love

Soft toy, tennis ball, finger puppet, yo-yo, building blocks, trucks and cars, doll, dress-up clothes etc.

EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIES something to do

Felt pens, pens, pencil sharpener, rubber, coloring book, notepad, picture/puzzle book, pencil case, stickers etc.

 

HYGIENE ITEMS something to use

Toothbrush & toothpaste, bar of wrapped soap & wash cloth, hairbrush, comb, hair clips, roll-on deodorant, talcum powder etc.

 

CLOTHING ITEMS something to wear

T-shirt, shorts, dress, pajamas, etc. Can include as an extra – gloves, scarf, sunglasses, cap, hat, bangles, necklaces, clip-on earrings, make-up or hair accessories etc.

 

SUGAR AND SPICE something to eat

Sweets (sell by date to be at least March of the following year – preferably softer sweets – wine gums, sours etc.
 BABY BOX something for the youngest

Barrier cream/talcum powder, baby soap, item of clothing, bath towel/baby blanket, soft toy, toy/rattle.

 

WHEN & WHERE TO DROP YOUR BOX OFF?

CAPE TOWN area: 20 & 21 October 2008

09h00- 18h00 both days

NG Kerksaal, 55 Kloof St , Cape Town.

 

(Directly across the road from the Lifestyles on Kloof Centre Engen Garage right next door. Look out for Deli 55. Entrance to the parking area to the right of the Deli)

 

Please contact Irenè Pieters on to request your names:

Irenè Pieters
Co-ordinator Kidz2Kidz Santa Shoebox Project
021 461 7744 / 083 280 5528
pieters@intekom.co.za
www.kidz2kidz.co.za

Teach your child the art of giving

The earthchild project – support youth development in South Africa

“Hello beautiful earthchildren “

The Earthchild Project.org places full time facilitators in schools, whose role is to introduce and maintain projects which facilitate holistic and experiential education. Projects include environmental education such as setting up a sustainable school vegetable garden and recycling projects, as well as health and wellness, and lifeskills training.

Contribute R100 a month for one year by debit order. For every 100 members the Earthchild Project will be able to take on a new school.  This means that over 1000 children will benefit! They will learn about the environment, about themselves and about life.

Members will receive monthly emails to keep up to date with the Project’s activities. 

You will know exactly where your money is going and the impact it is making – what a great opportunity to be personally involved in the upliftment of our youth!

Click Here To download the Earth Club Registration Form

EARTHCHILD PROJECT’S THEMES AND ACTIVITIES

 

1. Environmental Education

———————-

 

A) School Vegetable Garden:
Facilitator sets up a school Garden Club comprised of learners, a teacher and a parent The garden can be used as a Living Classroom. The vegetables grown can be used for the school feeding scheme.

 

This teaches the learners a practical tool for life and they learn how to work as a team while encouraging them to learn about and experience nature. It also teaches learners to appreciate the value of food while taking responsibility and learning what plants, animals and people need to survive and flourish.

 

B) Recycling
The Facilitator sets up recycling at the school. Paper, plastic, glass and tins are collected at home and at school. Recycled goods are collected weekly from the school.

 

The Facilitator gives each class a fun and interactive lesson about why it is important to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle our waste.

 

 

 

2. Health and Wellness

——————-

 

Learners are taught about healthy living and eating habits. For example: drinking more water, eating less sugar, watching less TV and getting more sleep

 

 

 

3. Lifeskills Training

——————

 

A) Breath Water Sound

This four day Art of Living course is taught to all the learners from Grade 3 up to Grade 7. The course shares tools and techniques that allow individuals to live with less stress and experience a greater sense of well-being.

 

Some of the many benefits include:

• Improved health
• Increased vitality and energy
• Elimination of stress
• Ability to handle emotions more effectively
• Increased mental clarity
• Greater joy and peace in life

 

The facilitator takes weekly Breath Water Sound follow-up sessions so that the long term benefits of the course can be experienced.

 

B) Sharing Circles

• We are piloting Sharing Circles with the Grade 4 and 6 learners
• Classes are divided into set groups of 10 learners each
• The facilitator takes each group for a 45 minute Sharing Circle once a week
• See Sharing Circle Guidelines for more information

 

 

 

4. School Campaigns and assemblies

——————————-

 

Facilitators will also be running school campaigns and making assembly announcements.  The aim of these will be:

• To reinforce the lessons being taught in class
• To motivate them to apply what they have learnt
• To inject a good dose of fun and joy into their day!

 

Visit the earthchild website here.

 

Donate Your Extra Winter Woolies to Help Someone Else Wake up Warm

Got spare winter woolies?

 

From new or nearly new blankets, hot water bottles, socks, vests, beanies, scarves, jackets, jerseys, gloves to anything you feel will keep someone warm – grab them all, put them in a box and take them to your local Dis-Chem pharmacy where they will distributed to those in need.

 

Ask your family, friends, and collegues to do the same. Offer to collect all the goodies and drop them off at your local Dis-Chem on their behalf – everyone has something they can donate.

 

The Dis-Chem Foundation with the help of 5FM and 3Talk with Noeleen once again takes the first step with Wake up Warm to give the gift of warmth this winter with the Dis-Chem Foundation’s annual collection of everything and anything to give warmth this winter.
 
Dump bins will be placed in all Dis-Chem stores nationally for you to drop your winter woolies and leave a bit of warm cheer May 25th until the end of July 2008. Every week the Dis-Chem Foundation will collect, sort and distribute all items to charities throughout South Africa.

 

 In 2007 the Dis-Chem Foundation assisted over 750 000 people from over 60 different charities and organizations ranging from street children, hospitals, abandoned babies, the neglected and destitute aged, the disabled, the homeless and more.

 

Stuck for ideas on what to donate?

 

- Blankets

- Slippers

- Ponchos

- Gloves

- Scarves

- Fluffy Toys

 - Warm Clothes

 

Download the store locations excel spreadsheet or visit The Dis-Chem Store finder.