
The year 2019 was a challenging year for Tumelong Mission. Faced with a growing financial pressures and a decline in funding, the organisation was forced to discontinue some of its projects and scaled down on operations.
We have had to shut down our Computer Centre in Soshanguve despite the need and scale down on our flagship environmental project – the Bottle Tops and Tags for Wheelchairs. Our HIV and AIDS programme, which had to contend with much reduced staff, was also a casualty of these storms.
In an effort to manage we restructured our operations, which enabled us to get going, but put additional burdens on some of our staff. The results of these pressures are reflected in this report.
Despite these severe challenges, we continued to do our best to serve God’s people.
During the year, Tumelong Mission provided voluntary HIV counselling and testing to 9 111 individuals and reached 64 000 people – mostly youth – through its outreach programme.
A total of 1 511 food parcels were distributed to needy families, an increase of 36 from last year; and seven persons with disabilities were provided with wheelchairs.
Our two ECD centres cared for a combined total of 139 children, in both day care and after care. Not only did these learners, most of whom come from poor households who cannot afford fees, receive educational benefit; they also received nutritious meals in a safe and caring environment. For many of these learners, these meals are their only meal for the day.
A pleasing development regarding ECD is that the Madibeng Municipality has recommended that the Maboloka Haven be upgraded to the status of an Educare facility, in view of the improved buildings. Consequently, the authorities are in the process of reviewing our application to achieve this.
Our Youth Inspiration Project which we initiated last year took off to a great start, but unfortunately its further development and implementation has been hampered by resource and capacity constraints.
Amid all these challenges, we do not lose hope and we are fighting – and praying – hard for the work we are doing to continue. In the latter part of the year, we procured the services of professional fundraiser who has now begun to do some work.
Bishop Allan’s special appeal to the church in December for ongoing support for the work of Tumelong Mission has elicited some positive response, but more donations are needed from the people of God.
My prognosis is that 2020 will continue to be challenging, but I have faith that things will get better. I ask for your support and especially your prayers.
In conclusion, I thank you all – our parishes, diocesan institutions and organisations, partners, donors, and stakeholders – for your support. Special thanks are also due to Bishop Allan and the Governing Body for their commitment and guidance, as well as our staff and volunteers for their hard work, dedication and sacrifice.
PAULINA TLAKA DIRECTOR: TUMELONG MISSION