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CEO′s Message

Dear WKU Supporters,

Another hectic month has rapidly passed us by. There never seems to be a quiet moment in our work and my deepest gratitude goes out to all the team as they continue to deliver work on a very tight schedule and at an extremely high standard. This month we launched a terrific programme which has been floating around in my head for several years. In partnership with AMREF RSA, Ophondweni Youth Development Initiative and the Departments of Health and Education, we re-launched our WhizzKids United ′On the Ball′ programme in the rural Jozini area of northern KwaZulu-Natal. What′s special about this is that we′ve been working very closely with the local clinics and I′ve been away training local nurses and counsellors on how to manage and counsel adolescents. This helps ensure that when youth attend clinics for HIV testing as a result of our life skills intervention, they receive confidential, non-judgmental and caring counselling and long term support to stay negative. We will keep you updated about this approach and the training we′ve been developing.

All the best,
Marcus (CEO)

Generous Donor Steps up for Mongol Rally

As you all know, Marcus, along with his friend Anthony Coxhead are fundraising for WhizzKids United by competing in the Mongol Rally, a 10000 mile rally race from Goodwood in the UK to Mongolia; all in a Nissan Micra! This epic adventure starts on July 23. We are also delighted to announce that Isidore Tepler, a long time friend of WhizzKids United, has donated US $10000 in support of Marcus′ efforts. Your kindness will go a long way to helping young people across South Africa who participate in our programmes. If anyone else would like to contribute to Marcus′ trip, you can by donating here.

We would also like to thank Investec for donating 50 footballs to schools around Durban where the "On the Ball" Life Skills Programme is run. As well, thanks to Deena Govender who walked 10 km at the Discovery East Coast Radio Big Walk and raised over R1000 for WhizzKids United.

HCT Campaign

On Saturday 21st May 2011, seven of the WhizzKids United Health Academy staff, along with three of the office staff from Durban organised and successfully ran an HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) Campaign in Ingqwangele High School in Snating. The idea of the campaign was to reach adolescents who were further away from the Health Academy than those who are able to attend for HCT on a regular basis.
The school quickly became a hive of activity and in the end 69 people took HCT which is an incredible number considering we were expecting around 20! 3 of those 69 tested positive. A sexual risk assessment was done on 23 adolescents whilst an Orphans and Vulnerable Child (OVC) Assessment was done on 16, four of which were identified as OVC′s. Numerous other older clients had their vital signs checked and tested for diabetes.

Sport for Social Change

RSA Country Director Paul Kelly attended the Sport for Social Change Conference at the Nike Football Training Centre in Soweto. The Sport for Social Change Network is a network of 40 organisations across ten countries that together seek to encourage innovation, local ownership and entrepeneurship among members, and stimulate youth empowerment through sport for social change initiatives with a special emphasis on empowering girls.
We learned about how the network plans to engage with the Department of Sport and Recreation to roll out its new "Mass Participation in Sport" and "School Sports" Initiatives, as well as learn more about other organisations′ work in youth development through sport.

Questions or comments? Email us at info@africaid.org.za