It was with fun and enthusiasm that members of various non governmental organisations (NGOs) participated in speed dating last week.

This was a Tenteleni initiative with the aim to launch and NGO forum where everybody involved could work together to support the community.

According to Ania Urbaniak, Tenteleni project coordinator, they invited representatives of all the NGOs they could find to get together at the Umjindi Resource Centre (URC) in an attempt to get to know each other and to find out what they were doing. Many of them did not even know of one another or had limited knowledge of the organisations.

The following were represented:

• Kohin – The Kohin coaches empower the youth with hope and vision for the future. Some of the schools in town have a permanent youth coach on the staff  who provides answers to unique challenges that the young people face on a daily basis. Enquiries: Wayne Kruger on 076-028-3813.
• Books in Homes - They provide affordable and appropriate reading material in seven of the 11 languages from pre-school to grade 7 as well as adult basic education and training (ABET). Enquiries: Val Morris on 082-466-3363.
• St John’s Day Care Centre - It is a child and youth care centre for orphaned children who are HIV positive. The courts place them in their care. Enquiries: Sister Denise Olshausey on 013-712-4316.
• GRIP – It provides counselling for domestic violence and sexual assault victims and gives support where legal steps are taken. It is situated at police stations and hospitals.
• Thandanani – It is a home based care centre for patients, orphans and the elderly. They provide food for disadvantaged children and facilitate with social services and development. They also assist in arranging grants, food parcels and donations. Enquiries: Ellen Makoko on 082-741-9882.
• Peace Corps – Volunteers are sent to various locations all over the world to work in communities for approximately two years. They assist in schools and help at NGOs. Enquiries: Trevor Perrier on 076-234-8448.
• Tenteleni – An international volunteer programme situated in the United Kingdom to help teach English and Mathematics in disadvantaged school all over Africa. Enquiries: Ania Urbaniak 082-062-6718.

There are other NGOs that did not attend the forum but the volunteers from Tenteleni hope to get them involved as soon as possible.

After they got to know each other through the speed dating sessions they had a brain storm session to determine the way forward.

Nonhlanhla Bila (GRIP), Olga NKosi (HIV/Aids), Laura Hulley (Tenteleni), Glenda Smith (Tenteleni) and Wayne Kruger (Kohin).

Trevor Perrier (Peace Corps), Val Morris (Books in Homes), Anisah Shaffi (Tenteleni), Nokuthula Mathebula (Tenteleni) and Phumie Khoza (Kohin)

Sr Denise Olshausey (St John’s), Violet Mathebula and Ellen Makoko (Thandanani Home Based Care).