“The power of human empathy, leading to collective action, saves lives, and frees prisoners. Ordinary people, whose personal well-being and security are assured, join together in huge numbers to save people they do not know, and will never meet….Unlike any other creature on this planet, humans can learn and understand, without having experienced. They can think themselves into other people’s places….We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.”– J.K. Rowling,
On this World Humanitarian Day I wish to thank some of the people who’ve supported me repeatedly on my ten-year-long humanitarian journey who are my family, my late physiotherapist [who died a year ago today], David Boutin, Beverly Bernhardt, Sharon K. D’Agostino, Barbra Royce, Gaynor Young and many more. From wells and smiles to diaper drives we’ve done most things……..THANK YOU
“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
The journey to success is atypical – that’s the truth.
Recently I started watching Atypical on Netflix – a show about Sam Gardner’s journey with Autism – I LOVE how the show beautifully and accurately captures the social difficulties and family dynamic of a differently-abled person.
Different is COOL – that’s my message to the world
Recently I watched the video of Alan Silva’s AMAZING acrobatic performance – I LOVE that Dwarfism hasn’t stopped Alan from flying high (literally). Watch “ Alan Silva: Emotional Acrobat Is Out To Prove To His BULLIES That Size Does NOT Matter! “ below:
“As a brand, we can elevate the conversation around physical disabilities by including them into our fashion doll line further to showcase a multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion,” Mattel said in a statement.
Today I was delighted to find out that Mattel has introduced a range of differently-abled Barbies. THANK YOU MATTEL for creating a Barbie that represents me it’s so nice to see myself in a Barbie.
The Muslim Association of South Africa (MASA) has embarked on its #WarmMzansi campaign, with the aim to deliver blankets and food essentials to poverty-stricken vulnerable communities and homeless individuals in Johannesburg.
As a community who cares, MASA are helping to provide homeless people with relier as the cold front has been hitting us, wanting to make a warm difference to the orphaned, disabled, sick and needy housed in care centres and those who are homeless.
Chairman Yaseen Theba says Joburg’s homeless has already begun succumbing to COVID-19, and warns the worst is yet to come.
“As colder weather bears down & “shelters risk becoming hotbeds for infection”, assessments continue as we strategically plan relief for the poorest of the poor.”
“While many are under warm duvets, it’s a challenging period for the homeless, forgotten amid the Covid-19 pandemic, volunteers are spending their evenings handing out food, blankets & masks,” says Theba.
Theba has invited any company, school, organization or individual to help by taking hands in this huge effort.
“MASA would like to thank our loyal partners who have already committed themselves to be part of this worthy project.”
For more information, email: info@muslim.co.za
Donate Below:
MASA First National Bank (FNB) Account Number: 62779526725 Branch Code is: 253305 Swift Code: FIRNZAJJXXX Ref: (Donor Name)
• the reality on the ground is a painful reflection of the greater challenge and problem facing our people nation wide. The suffering is immense & out of control. #COVID19#Lockdownpic.twitter.com/kKsgQ56Tnv
— Muslim Association of South Africa (@MuslimAssocSA) June 15, 2020
“We know better and thus MUST DO BETTER, BE BETTER, DEMAND BETTER, BRING SOLUTIONS AND BE FEARLESS IN THE PURSUIT OF EQUALITY & JUSTICE!!! We have both an individual and collective responsibility to fight against inequality and injustice and to break down systemic inequality, femicide, GBV, racism and the many other ills we face in 2020, we need to build a new, conscious of where we have come from, understanding the pain and struggle of the past but the reality of where we are focussed on fighting for a future for all!!!!” – Catherine Constantinides
Today is Youth Day here in South Africa – a day that honours the youth of 1976 who fought against the introduction of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in local schools – and I reflect on the kind of South African I need to be to create the South Africa of our dream. Thanks to the youth of 1976 for their sacrifice – I will honour all of you by living in service of South Africa and the world.
Private security company Vision Tactical has launched its COVID-19 ‘Strategic Preparedness Unit’ in collaboration with its emergency medical partners ER24. The unique vehicle will be deployed to support risk communication, community engagement and internal staff training in relation to the pandemic.
Partnerships with law enforcement, provincial departments and health authorities will develop, monitor and implement an effective plan for communicating with the public and creating a better awareness of the risks associated with COVID-19.
The non – operational EMS vehicle will be coordinated by medics from ER24 and trained members of the Vision Tactical team, that will dedicate their skill to dawning and doffing of PPE and supporting scenes during the pandemic.
This critical function will extend to preparing venues when essential services, law enforcement, health workers and burial societies need to engage.
In addition to the COVID-19 strategic preparedness and response plan and the COVID-19 strategy update, there are four key areas that local authorities of cities and urban settlements should focus on in ensuring preparedness for a robust response to COVID-19:
• Coordinated local plans in preparation for effective responses to health risks and impacts;
• Risk and crisis communication and community engagement that encourage compliance with measures;
• Contextually appropriate approaches to public health measures, especially physical distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette;
• Access to health care services for COVID-19 and the continuation of essential services.
Director of Vision Tactical, Yaseen Theba says that optimal preparedness in cities and urban settlements is critical for effective national, regional and global response to COVID-19.
“To be effective, the units public measures are implementable and designed in a way that will promote willingness to comply,” Theba says.
Theba adds that slowing the transmission of COVID-19 and protecting communities will require the participation of every member in various communities to prevent infection and transmission.
“Understanding knowledge, behaviours, perceptions, and identifying the right channels and community-based networks and influencers to promote scientific and public health messages will be a key determinant of the effectiveness of the response.”
Programmes will be targeted to individual facilities equipping them with the knowledge, procedures and preventative measures to mitigate the risks of contracting COVID-19.
Community engagement will include accurate information on risks, what is still unknown, what is being done to find answers, what actions are being taken by health authorities, and what actions people can take to protect themselves.
Today is World Environment Day let’s reflect on our environmental impact both as individuals and as a collective and decide to tread lightly on the Earth today and every day it’s the only home we have in this life.
“There comes a time when silence is betrayal.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Recently I watched a part of the video of George Floyd’s murder and honestly I still don’t have words but I’ll try to express myself as best as I can.
When somebody says or does something racist and you say nothing YOU ARE COMPLICIT. I know some will say “All lives matter” and that is true but all people aren’t getting murdered as much as some people AND THAT IS MY POINT #BlackOutTuesday
