http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news.php Follow the latest news from Africaid's WhizzKids United. en Stefan Kunze Sat, 05 Jun 2010 18:00:00 +0200 With deepest sadness we have to inform you that our dear friend and colleague Khumbulani "Khumza" Buthelezi was involved in a deadly accident on Friday night. While walking along a road in Edendale, Khumza got hit by car. The driver was under the influence of alcohol. We will always remember Khumza as the wonderful person he was, a great friend with a big heart. Our thoughts are with his family. Khumza joined WhizzKids United in June 2010 as one of our first Abaphokopeli (going forwards/making a difference) volunteers. He was a local lad from Edendale who wanted to leave his 'gangster' lifestyle and help youth in his community. His devotion and zeal for the job was evident every day in the great work that he did. Even when his 'gang' beat him badly for turning his back on them and starting a new life, he shrugged off his injuries and returned to work within two days even more determined to make a difference. His hard work soon saw him promoted to a paid position as a Life Skills trainer - a job he has been doing so well for the past 18 months. Khumza's hard work and passion saw him being selected by UN Sport for Development and Peace to take part in a workshop in Doha, Qatar in January. The lad that had only ever traveled 60 kms prior to this trip had now earned a place half away around the world to learn more about youth development through football. This trip truly inspired him to excel further in his work and he became a game changer and leader among the team. I was blessed to have spent all day Monday with him and he talked about his hope of marrying his girlfriend of 11 months. He was off to see her last night when he was tragically run down and killed by a drunk driver. Words cannot begin to describe the loss we feel and our love and sympathies we extend to his family. God Bless you Khumza - you were a true abaphokopeli - you made a difference my boy.... http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=62&src=rss 28 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=62&src=rss Living the game is the title of the newest documentary about WhizzKids United, which has been released yesterday. The film shows how the Health Academy impacts the lives of young people in Edendale and helps to overcome stigma and discrimination around HIV & AIDS. In March 2012, WhizzKids United welcomed the Belgian organisation A World of Football (AWOF) (see previous news). The four young film makers travel around the world to visit organisations, which use the power of football for social development. South Africa was their third stop after Israel and Rwanda, where the films focused on peace building and dealing with the aftermath of genocide, respectively. In Edendale, the story revolved around the challenges that young people are facing around HIV & AIDS. The film features two young boys from the same community, who are friends and play football together, regardless of their HIV status. The team of AWOF is currently in India for their next project, which portraits the issue of forced marriage of young girls. For more information on A World of Football, please visit their website. Watch the video on YouTube... http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=61&src=rss 09 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=61&src=rss WhizzKids United is pleased to announce that we have received a letter of endorsement from the Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary General on Sport for Development and Peace, Mr. Wilfried Lemke. This is actually a renewal of a previous endorsement received from Mr. Lemke, who was once a football manager in the German Bundesliga. We are proud to have the support of this prestigious international body and we invite all our stakeholders to work with us to contribute toward the Millennium Development Goals. The letter can be downloaded from our the downloads section on our website.... http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=60&src=rss 05 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=60&src=rss Football is more than just a sport. It is emotion, it is passion, it is defeat and it is success. For some people it is their whole life; and for some people it can change lives. A World of Football (AWOF) is producing a documentary about organisations from all over the world which are using football to bring change to this world. Four young men from Belgium started this project in 2011 and are currently travelling to ten different organisations all around the globe to observe how football can make a difference. After being to Israel and Rwanda, they have arrived at their third stage - South Africa. This week, the AWOF team has been filming at our Health Academy and in the community of Edendale. The film will show how WhizzKids United uses the power of football in the fight against HIV & AIDS to give young boys and girls hope for a better future. With their project, the Belgians want to raise awareness of the young generation in Belgium and other European countries for the challenges that their peers face in other parts of the world and they want to show how innovative solutions like the WhizzKids United Health Academy help to overcome those challenges. The final documentary, which will feature all the projects visited, will be broadcasted on Belgian and French television during the EURO 2012. The documentary about WhizzKids United will be available on this website soon. For more information about A World of Football, please visit: www.aworldoffootball.org... http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=59&src=rss 15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=59&src=rss "Women themselves have the right to live in dignity, in freedom from want and freedom from fear. On this International Women's Day, let us rededicate ourselves to making that a reality." (Kofi Annan, 2005) Each year on March 8, International Women's Day is observed. Everywhere around the world people show their appreciation towards the female members of our societies. WhizzKids United celebrated International Women's Day at the Health Academy with an All Girls football tournament. The event was opened by Busisiwe Madondo (Clinical Manager at the Health Academy), who spoke the traditional prayer and gave a short speech to the guests. Then all the players got ready for the why they came together - a football tournament for girls only. In most parts of the world football has the reputation of being a sport for males only. Since the beginning of WhizzKids United boys and girls have always played football together to overcome this stereotype. And the matches yesterday showed impressively that football is for girls as much as it is for boys. The girls showed a tremendous amount of passion and engagement during the matches, they ran and fought and everyone wanted the victory. It was especially nice to see how they were supported by all the boys who had come to the Health Academy cheer for their female classmates. Between the games, Neli Mkhize (Life Orientation Teacher at Mthethomusha Primary School) gave a very inspiring and motivational speech, in which she addressed the importance of emancipated women in society and the Spar10z performed one of their amazing dance routines, which made all the girls go crazy. After six thrilling matches, the team Banyana Banyana - just like the South African Women's national team - could secure the trophy for them. But all the players on that day were winners; they helped WhizzKids United to promote gender equality and fight discrimination. For their special role on the day and representing all women of the society, all the players received a medal and a red rose. Help us to fight for gender equality and empower women to be a vital part in society every day. A special thank you goes to The Antique Rose (theantiquerose@vodamail.co.za) from Hilton, Pietermaritzburg for donating the roses, which were given to all the guests and players. ... http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=58&src=rss 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=58&src=rss On Thursday 8 March 2012, WhizzKids United will hold its first annual International Women’s Day event at the WhizzKids United Health Academy. Our event embraces this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty. The day will consist of an all-girls football tournament, enlightening speeches, traditional female Zulu choir, and a celebration of inspirational females. This event will serve as an opportunity to unite the children and youths who attend the WhizzKids United Health Academy in the spirit and meaning of International Women’s Day. We hope the youth in attendance will have a better understanding that all people, male or female, should be treated equally and fairly. We will not discriminate! We are encouraging boys to attend this event as well. International Women's Day has been observed since in the early 1900's. Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate their achievements. In different cultures the focus of this day ranges from a general celebration of respect and admiration towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and social accomplishments. This day is also commemorated at the United Nations and is recognized in many countries as a national holiday. For more information about International Women's Day: www.internationalwomensday.com... http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=57&src=rss 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=57&src=rss On February 18th, WhizzKids United team member Theo Mitchell safely reached the summit and conquered Mt. Kilimanjaro for WhizzKids United. In a span of five days, he reached the famed "roof of Africa" by traveling, hiking and climbing through five uniquely different environments. These environments included a rain forest, a heathland, a moorland, an alpine desert and an ice-capped mountaintop. With the help of dedicated expert guides and great friends made along his journey, this climb will definitely be an experience he'll remember for a lifetime. Theo said,"I am proud to accomplish such a huge goal. Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is a task that is incredibly tough and physically draining. But, I am happy that my efforts can be used to further help and support those in true need - the children of the WhizzKids United Health Academy." In addition to ascending to the top, the fundraising component of his project has also achieved the same great results. With the combination of online and offline donations, the WhizzKids United Health Academy will be receiving over a total of US$1400 to further support their feeding programme for the orphans and vulnerable children of the Edendale community. Furthermore, the Health Academy will also receive additional donated soccer items courtesy of our friends at Earthmother Organic. 100% of all funds and gifts will be delivered to the Health Academy for the children under the aforementioned programme. On behalf of Theo, WhizzKids United wants to sincerely thank each and every person who contributed towards this great cause. To read more about his experience, please read his latest blog entry detailing his account. ... http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=56&src=rss 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=56&src=rss This past Saturday, February 4th, WhizzKids United had the opportunity to participate in Durban's very own i heart market. It was the first time that the NGO was able to work and showcase its sport-for-youth development programme in the city's popular once-a-month market place. In a space locally known for great shopping and food, WhizzKids United brought a fun and interactive dynamic to People's Park of Moses Mabhida Stadium. In addition to promoting the organization and its work in South Africa, WhizzKids United also offered two sporty challenges for football enthusiasts at i heart market. Shoppers and guests could practice their dribbling, ball control and scoring skills in an obstacle course as well as juggle the ball repeatedly in order to achieve the longest time. Hilarity ensued all day with the soccer activities but one young man finished the course with the best time of 1:06 whereas another gentleman juggled the ball 62 times in a row. These two participants will each receive a printed autographed soccer ball of Kaizer Chiefs striker Siphiwe Tshabalala. The day brought a lot of fun under the sun for the NGO. But, most importantly, WhizzKids United was very appreciative of the chance to be a part of i heart market. WhizzKids United thanks all of the coordinators of i heart market, especially Saki, as well as Moses Mabhida Stadium for providing such a wonderful attraction for the city of Durban. i heart market takes place on the first Saturday of each month on the grounds of Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium. To learn more about i heart market, please check out their website, Facebook and Twitter pages. ... http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=55&src=rss 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=55&src=rss In less than two weeks, WhizzKids United team member Theo Mitchell will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro for the children of the WhizzKids United Health Academy. To show support for WhizzKids United and his effort, Durban's own Earthmother Organic has decided to partner with the charity for this tremendous cause. Earthmother Organic has now dedicated their cafe and store as a donation centre for soccer-related items for the year. Customers and guests of Earthmother Organic can now donate their gently-used soccer equipment at the Glenwood-based health shop. Old shoes, kits, balls and gloves are items that are encouraged to be donated. 100% of the gifts will go directly to the children that utilize the adolesent-friendly health centre in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg, the WhizzKids United Health Academy. All gifts will be collected on February 29, 2012 where they will then be delivered to the Health Academy. Earthmother Organic is a cafe and store that is located on 106 Bulwer Road in the Glenwood section of Durban. They offer the latest and best in organic food products that can contribute to living a healthy lifestyle. For more information on Earthmother Organic, please visit their website. WhizzKids United wants to sincerely thank Earthmother Organic, Darren Glazer, Doris Nadler and Eva Muller for their warm generosity and kindness. WhizzKids United eagerly looks forward to their partnership with Earthmother Organic. So, please make sure to stop by Earthmother Organic for great food, friendly people and the chance to donate your soccer items for a worthy purpose! ... http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=54&src=rss 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=54&src=rss Everyday my organization WhizzKids United interacts with beautiful children in South Africa that daily must climb over a mountain of obstacles. From avoiding the traps of poverty to the pitfalls of HIV and AIDS, many adolescents are constantly faced with challenges that potentially hinder their full development. Although my organization works endlessly to support the youth, no child should ever have to endure such heartbreaking realities such as lack of education, guidance or hunger. My name is Theo Mitchell and I want to step up my efforts within the organization. For my personal fundraising project, I have decided to start an effort called “Conquering Kilimanjaro for WhizzKids United.” On February 14, 2012, I will go to Tanzania and climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa that stands at 5,895m. My climb will be dedicated to WhizzKids United and the children that utilize our adolescent-friendly health centre, the WhizzKids United Health Academy, in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg. The purpose of my project is to raise a total of 8,000ZAR either by monetary value or physical gifts by the end of February 2012. 100% of the funds or gifts will go directly to the WhizzKids United Health Academy and their Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Feeding Programme. My expenses for the travel to Tanzania and my climb are already self-financed. My focus is strictly on the fundraising target in which I ask for your support in one of two ways: You can deposit money into this account here (for our US supporters) or here (for our UK and International supporters). Or you can deliver goods to the WhizzKids United office on 40 Clarence Road, Greyville, Durban, 4001, South Africa. I am very excited for the opportunity to reach the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. But, what makes me even more motivated is the chance to further support the children of South Africa to climb over their own personal mountains. I thank you for reading this message and I sincerely hope that you can support me conquering Kilimanjaro for WhizzKids United. ... http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=53&src=rss 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.whizzkidsunited.org/news2.php?newsid=53&src=rss