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NGO Work - A Rollercoaster Ride

posted by Oli Walsh on February 27th, 2010

Last week best illustrated the rollercoaster ride that all those working in an NGO experience, almost on a daily basis!
Good news is almost always followed by bad news and vice versa, we just need to ensure we do not let the bad news keep us down and ensure we celebrate the good news!
Whether it is feedback from a funding proposal, news on an award, conversations with local government departments or at a basic level and our expectations that our good work should get the recognition it deserves; either internally, externally or from the very organisations that are supposed to support you!
This aside we had a great two days of internal training and capacity building with another local organisation, OneVoice South Africa, who like us are looking at HIV prevention but through creative expression. It gave us all a chance to share ideas on our organisation, talk openly and frankly with our counterparts and look at ways we could learn from each other and work together moving forward. All staff from our side benefited greatly from it and hope the One Vocie staff felt the same. We hope everyone keeps their promises to work together and share best practice!

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Matthias the media star

posted by Oli Walsh on February 19th, 2010

The office was quiet at times this week, with Marcus our CEO away in Europe, Paul and Simanga from the programme management team in Jozini, launching a new programme with AMREF, Stefan in and out of the office on site visits, and Tom and Zanele going to Jozini on Thursday to carry out pre-questionnaires for M & E!
Work still went on, with a big focus on the struggle to secure funds for the pitch at the Health Academy!
Matthias received feedback on a tournament his old football coach had organised in Germany, which managed to raise over 1000 Euros for WhizzKids. It was attended by ex volunteer Harry to be our WhizzKids representative. So big thanks to Matthias′s coach, Harry and of course Matthias! This is really something we want to push with ex volunteers to try and get them involved in fundraising in their own countries, and to ensure they are spreading the WhizzKids word! As a result, Matthias has become a media star with a story in a local German newspaper, so well done! We will write a full story on Harry’s feedback from the tournament in the newsletter this month!

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WhizzKids United Day

posted by Oli Walsh on February 13th, 2010

February the 13th is a very special day in the life of Africaid′s WhizzKids United. On this day, back in 2006, WhizzKids United was officially launched.
We sometimes get so involved in our work, that we do not stop to reflect and celebrate all the great things we have done. So we thought it would be a good idea to make the 13th of February WhizzKids United day and celebrate our achievements in helping so many kids, now, but also for years to come!
Since our programme started in 2006 (it was developed between 2004 and 2005) in Edendale, KwaZuluNatal, we have had 10,000 kids through our programme!
Yesterday, we marked the occasion (on the Friday as the day itself fell on a Saturday), by closing the office for a couple of hours and taking all our office staff and trainers, to climb the arch of the Moses Mahbida stadium, all 550 steps up and 550 down, with an amazing view of Durban!
It was a great team bonding experience, an opportunity for everyone to reflect on WhizzKids′ achievements and to look forward to the World Cup and beyond!
Let’s remember to celebrate February 13th every year from now on; it is much more important than the 14th!

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Visit to pitch manufacturer!

posted by Oli Walsh on February 3rd, 2010

Yesterday Marcus and I visited a company based in Pietermaritz- burg, Greenfields, who we are looking to produce our new pitch for the Health Academy.
It was great to meet them as they clearly have alot of expertise in the area and we got to visit the factory which showed us the entire process involved in producing the pitch! It is a huge factory and the process is many steps, followed with great care and attention!
We really want to ensure that the pitch we build is a top quality pitch as this Health Academy is our first and will be the template for all future WhizzKids United Academies.
From talking to them and their feedback on pitches, we also believe that by investing in this pitch, will ensure it is there for the long term.
We desperately need funding for the pitch, so please go to our donations page; you can either donate money or you can go to betterplace to buy a square of pitch!! If you are a big donor or corporate we can even give you perimeter board exposure around the pitch!

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