Tag Archives: East London

Fundraising for Breath of Life in loving memory of Gerda Bence

“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”― Nelson Mandela

On August 19, 2019, my physiotherapist of 16 years, Gerda Bence, tragically died in a car accident at the age of 51 and so to celebrate 51 years of her beautiful life and to mark the first anniversary of her death I’m aiming to raise R51 000 for the Restore Trust’s Breath of Life house.

What is Breath of Life and what makes it unique?
Breath of Life, an initiative of the Restore Trust, is a place of safety for vulnerable babies in East London, South Africa. The place of safety has the capacity to take care of up to 6 babies simultaneously.

What’s unique about Breath of Life is that the babies live with House Mom, Michelle, House Dad, Andrew and House Siblings, Jazmyn, Lily-Anne and Alex-Rose (along with carers who are there to help the family take care of the babies) ensuring the babies have stability and love until they are adopted or reunited with suitable blood relatives.

Why am I raising money for Breath of Life?
I am raising money for Breath of Life because I believe every baby deserves to start life on a level playing field and Breath of Life provides that by ensuring every baby is loved and cared for until the Department of Social Development can find them a permanent home.

Make a donation to my campaign and in so doing help Breath of Life continue to positively impact the lives of women in crisis and babies still waiting for their forever families. https://www.backabuddy.co.za/in-loving-memory-of-gerda

Breath of Life -Impacting the Lives of the Unborn in East London, South Africa

Place of Safety

Babies are abandoned in dumpsters, dustbins and drains in East London, South Africa. A safe place to care for abandoned babies was a priority. The Place of Safety is at 2 Dawson Road, Selborne and currently has capacity for 6 babies. These children are either delivered by the SAPS or by members of the public. It is truly a sad state of affairs, a daily reminder of the horrific societal problems at play in our community. The house is staffed by a team of carers and house parents. The babies are given 24/7 care before being placed into forever-families.

For more information about Breath of Life visit http://www.restoretrust.co.za/projects/breath-of-life/ or https://www.facebook.com/breathoflifeSA/

The above was shared as part of my new weekly Difference Makers series featuring businesses, organizations or individuals making a difference in their communities.

Day 2687: Visiting Breath of Life in East London, South Africa

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The meaning of love is not to possess – that’s what Michelle Rielly reminded me.

It’s 1 : 35 PM on day 2687 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Psalm 29:11 and promote my 50 New Feet Campaign benefiting MiracleFeet – raised $6 876 only $5 624 more to raise by June 17, 2018 to help 50 kids with clubfoot (thanks so much to everyone who has helped out so far).

Two days ago my sister and I were blessed to visit Breath Of Life – a place of safety for infants in our city whose parents are unable to take of them (to-date 125 kids have been loved and looked after by Breath of Life and 18 000 women in crisis have been counselled by Breath of Life councillors ) – Breath of Life is able to accommodate six infants at a time though when we were there only three were present (Allister, Alec and Aaron, all under the age of one) the kids are taken care of by House Parents Michelle and Andrew Rielly and the lovely ladies who employed by Breath of Life. Before I arrived there I thought I would be most enamoured with the infants (I LOVE babies they represent hope and possibility) but when I got there I couldn’t stop watching Michelle with the babies I saw in her so much love and gentleness and I could not imagine loving other human beings so much knowing I would eventually have to hand them over to their adoptive parents it would absolutely break my heart but being in Michelle’s presence has reminded me that the meaning of love is not to possess. Thank you to Breath of Life and to the Rielly family for their extraordinary service to our city it is noticed and much appreciated. To find out more about Breath of Life and how you can help visit http://www.restoretrust.co.za/projects/breath-of-life/ ,

Images supplied by Michelle Rielly (who is pictured above )

Day 2644: Heavenly Pancake House Review

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Pancakes and I are a match made in Heaven – that’s what I’ve realized.

It’s 1 : 19 PM on day 2644 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read John 1:1-3, had breakfast at Heavenly Pancake House and promote my 50 New Feet Campaign benefiting MiracleFeet – A HUGE thanks to Jerrinchachen and Pramela Ramesh who donated $25 each yesterday which brings the total raised to $5 026 only $7 474 more to raise by June 17, 2018 to help 50 kids with clubfoot

This morning my family and I had breakfast at the Heavenly Pancake House I’m IN LOVE with their Cinnamon Pancakes usually whenever we go out I never finish whatever I order but I actually finished my pancakes the view of the beach was also great even on such a gloomy day. Thanks to Salomie and her team at Heavenly Pancake House for the great food and great service (I’ll be back for more pancakes Salomie 🙂 ). Anyone in East London, South Africa can find the Heavenly Pancake House at 10 Deary Dr, Gonubie – highly recommend it.

Day 1898: Return to UThixo Ulungile Ministries

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You don’t have to be a certain way to make a difference in the world – that’s what I want everybody to know.

It’s 1 : 00 PM on day 1808 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to brush my teeth, pray, read Romans 15, publish my Disability of the Day feature, learn one new thing –noisome • \ˈnȯi-səm\ • adjective 1. causing or able to cause nausea. 2. offensively malodorous – have breakfast, listen to music and do some work.

Yesterday my family and I visited UThixo Ulungile Ministries for the second time it was lovely the kids sang for us and recited a Bible verse really everyone at UThixo Ulungile Ministries is working together to help those kids become happy, healthy and productive adults of faith. Thanks SO MUCH to Laurieann Janssens, Wayne Mansfield and Stan Faryna for paying for the gifts that we took to UThixo Ulungile Ministries I’m sure the gifts will make this holiday season a little extra special for the kids.