Tumelong:
Mission & Development Programme
Diocese of Pretoria

In the Diocese of Pretoria, under Tumelong and Anglican Aids and Health care Trust, we are running as youth peer educators programme called Siyafundisa ( Teaching our children), it is a HIV prevention programme focusing on teaching the youth about Abstinence and being faithful by offering them Peer Education and Life Skills programme. The main aim is to encourage the youth to abstain from sexual activities until they are married.

One of the exercises we give to young people during our workshops is for them to discuss and give percentages to risky behaviours that young people engage in. The shocking statistics are that unprotected sex, pregnancy and abortion always top the list by between 80%, 90% and 95% this is worrying it means we still have a long way to go in changing young people attitudes and behaviours.

 Many young people find it hard to talk about sensitive topics with their Parents so they get information and advices from friends, school mates, TV and etc. So what Peer Education does is to take a group of suitable young people from the age of 10-13, 14-18, 19-24 and train them so that they can pass the correct information to other young people on the following topics: Sexuality, Gender, The advantages of abstinence, Consequences of sexual activity, HIV and AIDS.

So far, Soyafindisa have reached 3489 with messages of abstinence.

Siyafundisa Supervisors with the Fieldworker and Programme officer

While the girls from St Mary’s DSG  believe that education is important in the lives of the young people to prepare them for the life ahead, they equally believe that the environment is also key to enabling one to achieve one’s objectives. The St Mary’s DSG entourage wanted to see this area addressed.

 Together with Ms Carna Kriel, the girls – who are now in Grade 7 – swam 8 miles across the Midmar Dam to raise funds. This enabled them to erect a shade for the Maboloka Haven. The children can now play and eat under the shade without worrying about the rain or the scorching sun.

 This is not all they did when they reconnected with their little friends this year. They also hosted a picnic and shared meals with them. Trees were planted for more shade. This time the girls were accompanied by the Head of Junior School Mrs Barbie Craig and the School Chaplain the Reverend Leonard Nyakale. It was a moving experience to see the two getting their hands dirty as they planted trees. The Director of Tumelong Keba Matlhako could not resist the temptation to participate.  They left the centre having changed the environment.

 Our girls are now moving on with the knowledge that they have fulfilled their promise of making a difference. In her comments Mrs Craig expressed her excitement to see the difference at the Haven. It had received a new coat of paint. Tyres dug in for kids to play, after the local youth group got involved as part of their community development practical training. Mrs Craig thanked the girls for sharing their time with the children and for contributing positively towards the improvement of their lives and their environment. She thanked the staff at the Haven for what they do for the children.

Ms Carna Kriel and the Girls who swam the midmar under the shed erected by the money they raised

Cake Cutting for the 70 years and older

The Gala Dinner held at St Mary’s DSG was the major attraction point of the celebrations.  In his address to the members present, Bishop Jo thanked everyone for their support and further indicated that Tumelong is not a rich organisation, and if parishes can give, as per the Synod Resolution, towards Tumelong, another 70 years will be realised. He further paid tribute to Mrs Mary White whose unwavering support of Tumelong, over the years, was unquestionable and immaculate. “Its people like Mrs White who represent the love of Christ to those less fortunate”, the Bishop exclaimed.

Mr John Mojapelo, who was one of the speakers and the author of “ The corner people of Lady Selborne”, which records six decades of the life in Lady Selborne, where Tumelong was established.  In his address he highlighted Tumelong as ‘a Chicky Tumelong’ which was at the fore front of challenging the powers of the time on the issues that people were dealing with.

We convey our sincere gratitude to all who participated in the events and those who continue to support the work of Tumelong. We still have a Brick for Development , with only 70 bricks going at R1000 per brick, each brick will be engraved with the name or logo of the sponsor. These Brick will be used to erect a Tumelong Development Wall towards the end of the year.

Please continue to journey with Tumelong towards its centennial existence.

Th winners of the Tumelong 5-a-side Soccer Tournament

As Part of the Tumelong turning 70 celebrations held on th 10 April at t Mary’s DSG. The 5 a side tounaments produced wonderful footbal skills. With one team anaging to score 13 goals in a matchof 25 minutes duration.  There was plenty of fun as a league system ensured that all teams meet one another. Oasis, St Francis Waterkloof were the winners on the day having won all their matches followed by All Saints Mamelodi, who scored the most number of goals in the tounament. We congratulate Oasis and thank all players and Parishes who came to support.

There is a request that we form a Tumelong League, what do you think?

Tumelong Turning 70, Three score years and ten.

Since its founding in 1939, Tumelong continue to be committed to the welfare and development of the children, youth and marginalised in the communities. We still continue to address issues relating to HIV and Aids focusing primarily on prevention.

For our 70^th Celebrations, we have the following events lined up:

The five–a-side soccer tournament

As part of our fundraising drive towards our operations, we will be hosting a five a side tournament on the 10 April 2010, from 9am, with an affiliation fee of R1000.00 a team. This will be held at St Mary’s DSG, Hillcrest. We expect all parishes and organisations to take part in this fun and family event.

GALA Dinner

You are hereby invited to the Gala dinner and celebration to be held on the 10^th April 2010,19h00 at St Mary’s DSG, at the cost of R200 per person or R2000.00 per table of ten.  This will be a fun filled evening with music, food and additional entertainment, this is an event not to be missed. There will be memorabilia sold, and only 70 units will be available. Proceeds will go towards the support of Orphans and Vulnerable Children.

Brick for Development Campaign

We also have a Brick for Development campaign, we sell a brick engraved with your name/ institution/parish logo and they will be used to erect a Development Wall at the end of the year. We only have 70 bricks for this campaign selling at R1000.00 per engraved brick. Please buy one. The proceeds for this campaign will go toward the building the capacity of communities to start income generation projects and to help them be employable.

Children Receiving Food and Books at ekangala

The 7^th February 2010 was for the far eastern part of our Diocese. Orphaned and Vulnerable Children from the area were blessed with clothes and food parcels. Tears could only express the joy felt by the new priest in that area, Rev’d Jerry Ntlatleng. For some of these children, a meal was going to be a luxury if they did not receive the food parcels. Let us continue to ensure that children can be afforded at least a meal and education.

www.tumelong.org.za was dormant for some time is now more interactive and fun as ever.

We seek to maintain high level of communication exchange with you, our partners in care and development. Updates and information regarding our organisation will be at your reach, and should there be anything you wish to get more information or clarity about, please fill in our contact pad and we will gladly respond to your request. You are also allowed to join our blog to share information and views.

Children at Boschkop received blankets that will help keep them warm through the winter months. These blankets were knitted together by the Friends of Tumelong (F.O.T) at St Francis Waterkloof, under the leadership of June Van Der Merwe.