Friday, September 23, 2011

SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

For Spring why not adopt a pet...

Sarah Scarth joined us to encourage people of Cape Town to do something special for our often neglected community members, our pets.

Sarah mentioned that the dogs are all healthy and well cared for and of course more than ready for some TLC. For more information click on http://www.spca-ct.co.za/

September Highlights

For some spring inspiration reknowned Cape Town motivational speaker Karl Smith stepped into the studio.

Karl Smith believes that if we are unhappy with "our" current status/life situation we need to understand that we are responsible for where it is. Mr Smith continued to say that even if we feel that, for instance, our boss is a bully or people close to us never gives us the reward we deserve, we have to remember that we have to take ownership for our life and situation regardless. Even if we know and believe that we are not to blame, ownership must be taken on our account to strengthen who we are.

Karl Smith believes that in every situation/crisis/opportunity we must rise to the occassion, that our attitude towards it must change. Our life is our responsibility and we must take back control of it.

For some info on Karl Smith click on: http://www.speakersinc.co.za/?contenttype=speaker&contentid=12593238550

September Highlights

We then welcomed one of the Cape Flats well-known and respected community worker, aunty gigi. Aunty gigi is not only known amongst community members because of her contribution to the upliftment of her community but has been quite helpful for media people.

Aunty gigi joined us to discuss the work that her and fellow community workers have been doing in the area of Hanover Park for the past 18 years. Unfortunately, she also informed us that the poverty levels in Hanover Park is continually rising. Breadwinners of the home now find themselves standing almost everyday in line for soup to feed their family. Aunty gigi also commented on the state of the youth in Hanover Park, which according to aunty gigi is not any better. She claims that constantly she witnesses kids running away from school as well as children mistreating their parents etc.

On the brighter side, aunty gig mentioned that more individuals have come forward to help with donations to feed the community. "There isn't a day that goes by that we don't have food to give to the people.", says aunty gigi

September Highlights

We introduced and showcased NICRO'S Intimate Partner Violence Programme. For details on NICRO's work visit http://www.nicro.org.za/. The programme is all about rehabilitating the perpetrator's and their families. We were joined by a couple who has gone through the programme and wanted to share their story.

The couple who wanted to remain anonymous gave us the details into their once horrifying life filled with abuse, alcoholism, pain, confusion and ultimately isolation from the world.

The abuser explained that he realised he was simply a product of his world/society. He explained that in his home as a child he witnessed he's mother being abused and in their community it was a usual occurance, therefore, it was cultivated in him as normal behaviour, as what the "ruler" of the home is entitled to.

The wife who no longer could live with the constant abuse and pain decided to take out an interdict on her husband and this is how the couple was introduced to NICRO's programme. The programme showed them what they doing wrong, where the abuse stems from, how it affects their children., how to communicate properly with one another and how to change their life around.

The couple today is very proud of their life what they've gone through as a couple and where they are going.

Before we ended the interview I wanted to hear from the wife, why she stayed around for so long. She then explain that she made a vow to her husband to stay with him through thick and thin and as much as she resented him for the longest time she continued to believe that change would come.