Thursday, July 20, 2017

HOPE Cape Town




This morning we spoke with Marlene Whitehead, Brett Steensmia, and Kelsey who spent their 67 minutes on Mandela Day helping the organisation HOPE Cape Town. The organisation strives to improve the quality of life of children and families affected by HIV/AIDS and related illnesses. Marlene has been working with HOPE Cape Town for the past seven months and told us about the clinics, soup kitchens, gardens, preschools, as well as other resources that HOPE Cape Town provides for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS. 

Brett Steensmia believes that organisations are more powerful when they work together, so his organization, We Can Together Foundation, joined forces with HOPE Cape Town to make a larger impact on Mandela Day. We Can Together Foundation focuses on giving at risk youth skills, resources, and training with a special interest in bringing youth into platforms of technology and education. 

Kelsey from the Duke Engage program in the United States also brought volunteers from her program to help out on Mandela Day. The Duke engage program is an immersive service program that brings Duke University students abroad on 8-week service programs.

We asked our guests what they think is one of the greatest challenges for NGOs and Marlene responded that the main stress is competing for resources with other NGOs. She believes as Brett does that collaboration between NGOs “brings about unity” and that organisations should focus more on working together to increase the successes of both organisations.

Listen to the whole conversation here and check out the organisations: HOPE Cape Town, We Can Together Foundation, and Duke Engage.

Presenter: Mkhuseli Khusi Veto
Producer: Sophie Breck


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