More progress with the new creche

 All of the buildings are in place and waiting for the arrival of the children at the site of the new creche.
 "We are just waiting for the final funding for the erection of toilets and jungle gyms," says Carryou Ministry General Manager, Rev. Lawrence Mabaso. "As soon as that is done, hopefully very soon, we will be ready to start operating. In the meantime the kids are being catered for at the Elandsvlei Drop In Center.
 "People have been identified who will be sent on Early Childhood Development training courses soon. So it is all systems 'go'."
 "We were able to repay the loan we got, that we used to erect a security fence around the new creche, with donations and grants from the United States, organized by our wonderful friend and partner, Sue Heywood. The generosity and kindness of so many people in the US makes an enormous difference to the lives of people we serve," says Lawrence.

A new creche and park

The fence is up, the rest soon to follow!

 A few years ago a creche was set up at the Elandsvlei Drop In Centre to serve the needs of children living in the adjacent informal settlement and on nearby farms.
 "It was always meant to just be temporary measure, while we looked for a larger, more suitable, piece of ground," says Reverend Lawrence Mabaso, Carryou Ministry General Manager.
 "We have now acquired the needed land, and within the next couple of weeks the creche will be relocated."
 The site is conveniently located approximately half way between the current facility and the Mablomong Farm School and will allow a lot more kids to be helped.

Too small

 "Our current area is simply too small," says Rev. Mabaso. "With around 500 kids making use of the facilities at the Drop in Centre, there just is no space for them to play. Added to that, the law requires pre-school children be kept separate from older children."
 In addition to a new creche that will focus on children aged from three to five, a larger safe-park will be developed for the older youngsters.
 "Our creche can currently accommodate around 25 preschoolers but we will be able to double that number when we move," says Rev. Mabaso. "Our goal is to co-operate with the nearby school and prepare the children for Grade R.
 Work is feverishly underway at the new site. The area has been leveled and a new, palisade fence has been constructed.
 "Later this week the containers used as classrooms and a kitchen will be delivered," says Lawrence.

Inspiring words from an inspirational young woman

Pamela Serage is a Carryou Ministry success story. She is an inspiration and at the recent Carryou Ministry AGM she addressed the youth and the community.

This is what she had to say:

I would like to introduce myself and elaborate on how I’m connected to Carryou ministry. My name is Pamela Mokgadi Serage from Randfontein Toekomsrus. I come from a child headed family both my parents passed away, I grew up with my brother and fortunately our parents left us a house. I was introduced to Carryou by a very wonderful woman, at that time she was my brother’s class teacher Ms Abrams. I joined Carryou when I was 15 years old, I was in my teens and now I’m a woman because of Carryou, I am the product of Carryou ministry. I met Sister Pam and Sue Heywood at Toekomsrus Drop-in centre, the first question that Sue asked me was what do you want to do with your life I told her I want to go to university. At that time I was doing my matric Sue had already organized money for me to go to school.

I wanted to study Geology. I remember going to Free State province in the morning around 3:00 am with Mr. Mabaso and Mzi to write a test in order to get a bursary to study Geology. I passed the test and was called for an interview which, unfortunately I failed. I so wanted to be a Geologist but God had other plans for me. I enrolled for Environmental Health at the UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG from 2007 to 2009 and managed to complete my course within the specified time.

When I was writing my final exam I already knew where I was going to work. In 2010 I worked as a Port Health Officer at Lanseria International Airport, and then in 2011 in August I was working as an Inspector, responsible for the whole of West Rand District. I am currently employed as a Superintendent for waste minimisation and education at Merafong City Local Municipality. I completed my BTECH in 2012.

Follow your dreams

But today I would like to speak to the youth, I want to encourage you to follow your dreams, it does not matter what situation you are in, it does not matter whether you are an orphan, you are HIV positive, your parents are unemployed, it all depends on you to change the person you are today to be the person you want to be tomorrow. Your future is in your hands and in Jeremiah 29v11 God says ‘For I know the plans I have for you is to prosper not harm you.’ God knows the desires of our hearts; he knew us while we were still in our mother’s womb so he will never leave you or forsake you. They say education is the key to success but I say education plus God and you will go far, He will unlock all the gates.

It saddened me to hear that we have learners that have failed in the colleges. When you are given an opportunity make sure that you utilize it to the best of your ability. Do not misuse the opportunity because I have witnessed the efforts that are put in by the management of Carryou and the various sponsors to ensure that we have a better future.  Please let’s work hard and better ourselves and the future of our children. And make sure that our families have a better life. The foundation has been laid for us by the Carryou management and it is up to us to carry the legacy.  I was an orphan but I had everything at school as if my parents were still alive.  All things are possible - follow your dreams.
I would also like to speak to the community. Let’s be united, let’s help each other. As a parent if you see children playing and not going to school, you must be concerned and encourage the child  to go to school. We have so many children that are abused emotionally and physically, please offer a shoulder to cry on. It’s also woman’s month let’s love one another and help each other. We have so many woman that are abused by their partners. Don’t laugh at them; show them the way and provide them with a solution to get out of their situation.

I just want to send my sincere gratitude to everyone at Carryou Ministry for playing a very important role in my life. The road was not easy I was young and temptations were there, but I thank God that I was able to overcome the temptations and focus on bettering my life. I am now a board member and it’s my passion to make a difference in someone’s life. I thank you.

Getting ready to wow the crowds again

Last year, the Carryou Gumboot Dancers blew the crowds away at the Randfontein Show, Food and Music Festival. Their slick moves and catchy beats made them a show highlight.
 And this year they plan to make even more of an impact. The troupe is hard at work perfecting their final moves and will appear on a number of occasions from Wednesday 26 Feb to Saturday 1 March.
 The Randfontein Show, Food and Music Festival is the third largest show of its kind in the country and gives Carryou Ministry an opportunity to present its work and activities to a wide range of people who otherwise would not know about the organisation.
 "We will also be operating a cold-drink stall at the Show to help raise funds," says Carryou Ministry General Manager, Rev. Lawrence Mabaso.
 Gumboot dancing has a long history in South Africa. It started on the mines where miners first used the moves, drumming on the sides of their Wellington boots and foot-stamps to communicate with each other underground.
 Later, traditional, tribal dance moves and routines were added and the style was born. Today, gumboot dancing is performed all over the world and is recognised as a truly South African dance-form.

What drives our success

Rev. Lawrence Mbaso, Carryou Ministry General Manager

 The past year has seen Carryou Ministry consolidate and grow, despite difficult financial times and many challenges.
 General Manager, Rev. Lawrence Mbaso, believes a great deal of the organisation's success can be attributed to adopting and adhering to five fundamental principles that drove the organisation.
 "These drivers were:
 "The foresight to advance the wellbeing of adults, as well as children affected materially and emotionally by the departure of the parental support system," he says.
 "The undertaking to provide service excellence to clients in a holisitic way.
 "Partnering and cooperating with like-minded service providers to help meet the needs of orphans, vulnerable children and sick patients.
 "Motivation to provide commitment, love, consideration, active listening, integrity and the best possible service to clients and being mindful and aware of the importance of strategic plans to help achieve the agreed upon constitutional goals," he says.

Meet our people: Lawrence Mabaso -- a gentle man

 Reverend Lawrence Mabaso (59), is a gentle man. He speaks quietly and few people can remember an occasion when he raised his voice. But don't let that fool you -- he is a man on a mission to help South Africa's most vulnerable people and has dedicated 40 years of his life to achieving that goal.
 As Carryou Ministry General Manager, Mabaso is in charge of the day-to-day operations of an organisation on which hundreds of people rely for their very survival.
 Married for 26 years, with two grown up children, Lawrence was born in Sophiatown on the western side of Johannesburg and soon after, moved to Soweto.
 "My father enjoyed socialising and drinking which left my mother somewhat disorganised, so, in truth, in my formative years I did not have any adult role models," says Lawrence, "I had to find my own ways."
 Like so many other disaffected youngsters in South Africa, Mabaso could just as easily have fallen through the cracks, were it not for the fact he came into contact with Siza Molebatsi, leader of Youth Alive in Soweto, as well as anti-Apartheid activist, Rev. Frank Chikane.
 "Rev. Chikane became my mentor and role model," says Lawrence. "Every Friday he preached at Orlando High School, where I was a pupil. He lived nearby and I spent many hours talking to him and when I was 20, I became a Christian."

Full-time ministry

 In 1975 Mabaso was awarded a four-year scholarship to attend a theological college.
 "I looked forward to entering the full-time ministry when I completed the course," he says, "but life has a way of setting it's own direction. When I graduated my father was not working and I had no option but to find a job, so I could support my parents.
 "I started work as a Salaries Clerk with the country's largest bus operator and have never, in fact, been a full-time pastor."
 From there Mabaso moved into a clerical position with one of South Africa's largest life insurers but continued his work in the ministry as an Associate Pastor.
 "I became something of a thorn in my employer's flesh," he says, "as I got involved with the trade union and ended up recruiting around 140 staff members."
 But rather than fire him, the insurance company realised that a man with his ability to influence people, was wasted in an administrative position.
 "They figured I would be good at sales and I eventually became a Professional Consultant, selling pension schemes and insurance investments, to companies," says Lawrence.
 A few years later he was head-hunted by a large banking group and then later by another bank.
 "I never stopped working as an Associate Pastor," he says, "and still had an ever-increasing desire go into the ministry full-time. So, when the bank started a programme of retrenchments, I took a package and left."
 But being a full-time pastor was not to be. After a slight career deviation where he worked at a training college, Lawrence was offered the job at Carryou Ministry.
 "This is the best job I have ever had," he says. "Here I can make an enormous contribution to God's work.
 "When I see what we do in informal settlements, I know we are role models and could be changing kids lives in the same way Siza Molebatsi and Frank Chikane changed mine. And who knows what contribution those youngsters may make to our country in the future."

Realist

 But Mabaso is a realist. He knows it's an uphill battle and one that will not easily be won.
 "Education is the key," he says. "Not just academic education but life and skills education so people can work their way out of poverty. But, at the same time, South Africans in general, will need to be more disciplined and productive.
 "But I am confident, we at Carryou Ministry, can make an even greater contribution. I have a young, motivated, team behind me who are disciplined and flexible," he says.
 When not working -- which is not very often, as he is still an Associate Pastor at a church in the area and is involved in a leadership role with 80 other Non Profit Organisations -- Mabaso enjoys spending time with his family, listening to music and reading.
 "I am a voracious reader, particularly of management and business books," he says.

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Fresh bread every day

 All over the world charities face an uphill struggle to raise sufficient funds so they can continue to do their work. In South Africa charities and N.G.O.s are finding it increasingly tough as over 15 million people rely on Government for social grants in order to survive.
 There just isn't enough Government money to go around.
 It was this in mind that Carryou Ministry decided that they needed to find ways to become self-sustainable and the idea of opening and running a bakery was born.
 "It's a way of generating income and also supplying bread to our feeding projects," says Carryou General Manager, Rev. Lawrence Mabaso, "in addition it will create jobs for eight people and impart valuable skills."
 Late last year application for funding for the project was made to the National Development Agency for the cash needed to purchase the necessary equipment for a bakery to be set up at the Toekomsrus Drop-in Centre in Randfontein.

Bakery Manager, Anna Mogase

 R350 000 (approximately US$44 000) was made available and ovens and other necessary bits and pieces were purchased. A full time Bakery Manager was appointed and staff members were sent for training at a local, commercial baker.
 "We are busy with the final fittings and making the changes required by the Municipal Health Department and then it will be all systems go." says Bakery Manager, Anna Mogase. "We are looking forward to being able to supply our communities with freshly-baked bread every day.

Personal development is a side-benefit

 While the main objective of Carryou Ministry is to provide care and assistance to vulnerable people, especially children, there have also been valuable spin-offs.
 One of the most significant, is the way people have been able to develop new skills and progress into areas they previously would never have dreamed possible.
 A few examples:

• One of the Home-based Caregivers has been promoted to Coordinator, as a result of the experience she gained while caring for patients in their homes.
• As a result of skills developed, the Department of Health entrusted Carryou with a major, new health project.
• A Home-based Care community worker recently graduated and is now working as a nursing sister at the ML Pessen Clinic, a local healthcare facility.
• Four Community Health workers are currently studing at the Anne Lasky Nursing College.
• At the Elandsvlei and Toekomsrus Drop-in Centres, new skills were learned and, as a result, many jobs have been created and school-leavers were absorbed into a local government work-program.
• The Carryou Staff Development Program's main function is to source learnerships and bursaries. This includes providing transport and the accompanying of individuals to tertiary institutions to assist them when registering for courses. 
• Government placed 18 National Youth Service volunteers with Carryou so they could be trained and receive hands-on field experience. One of these youngsters is currently completing her first year at the North West University where she is majoring in social work.
• A number of other Carryou workers and volunteers are busy with study programs at colleges in the area.
• In the near future Carryou Ministry will be opening a bakery -- the equipment required is already in place and they are just waiting for approval from the local health authorities. Staff members have been sent for training with large commercial baking operations in the area.

 "As we continue to develop the skills of our people we are contibuting to the future of Carryou as well as the country as a whole," says Carryou General Manager, Rev. Lawrence Mabaso.

Providing hope in a bleak place

O.R. Tambo Informal Settlement is a squatter camp at Elandsvlei, about 10 kilometres outside the Randfontein town centre.
 It is a grim place, of that there is no doubt. Residents live in shacks that they construct themselves, made from whatever materials they are able to scrounge. In summer it is like living in the bowels of hell and winter is a thoroughly miserable experience. In some years, shacks are washed away by heavy rains.
 Water must be collected from large plastic tanks set up at the entrance to the camp that are filled every few days by the Randfontein Town Council. Sewage is rudimentary.

 The people who live in O.R. Tambo are desperately poor. Some are orphaned children who have no choice but to fend for themselves. Without help, the community, especially the children, would have little hope of knowing anything else and would simply slip into the abyss made up of the millions of the unknown, desperate, poor in South Africa.
 But there is hope for these vulnerable people.
 At the end of March 2012 Carryou Ministry opened a Drop-in Centre at Elandsvlei. The facility provides a nutritious, cooked meal to around 600 children, six days a week. It also supplies daily meals to kids at a nearby school.
 There is also a nursery school that operates at the Carryou Drop-in Centre where, currently, 22 pre-school kids are fed, cared for and prepared for school.
 In the afternoons, trained care-givers are on hand to help both primary and high-school children complete their school homework and prepare them for their exams.
 In addition, counseling services are made available, life-skills programs that cover issues like HIV/AIDS prevention, TB awareness and teenage preganancies, are run and help is given in obtaining birth certificates and identity documents.
 "As a society it is our God-given duty to give these kids a hand-up in life," says Rev Lawrence Mabaso, General Manager of Carryou Ministry. "Who knows what potential lies amongst them and just needs a little help, to be realized?"