External walls are plastered |
AFSD has embarked on an ambitious programme that will see its Team address the challenges of climate change, mainstreaming gender, food security, energy generation, conservation of our natural resources and local economic development of the surrounding communities. AFSD will be using its farm in the Magaliesburg to pilot and then scale projects that will contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, also guided by the NDP to create jobs and develop the skills of the surrounding communities.
Monday, 15 December 2014
Daily update of Witteklip MPC Renovations
Friday, 12 December 2014
Feedback & Strategic Planning 2014/2015
One of the final order of business for 2014 was to meet with the three community leaders, look back over 2014 and plan for 2015.
It was a really fruitful meeting, with lots of input, from both sides.
The main items raised by the community leaders were:
All parties in the room agreed that 2015 needed to be a year of "Action", where more was done and the project teams worked harder and took more initiative, than in 2015.
It was a really fruitful meeting, with lots of input, from both sides.
The main items raised by the community leaders were:
- 2014 was an incredible year, where a lot was accomplished
- Better teamwork and communication in 2015
- More initiatives launched in 2015
All parties in the room agreed that 2015 needed to be a year of "Action", where more was done and the project teams worked harder and took more initiative, than in 2015.
The meeting ended on a good note, with everyone excited about 2015.
Solar Entrepreneurs -Preparing the Future
Without wanting to lose the momentum generated during 2014, the project being run in conjunction with the Dutch Embassy was launched in December 2014.
The first phase of the project is to select and build the capacity of 15 Solar Entrepreneurs, who will then go out and sell household solar products, within their communities.
The first phase of the project is to select and build the capacity of 15 Solar Entrepreneurs, who will then go out and sell household solar products, within their communities.
After a group of community members from Witteklip, Fitches Corner and Shamrock had gathered at the Witteklip MPC, the first session of entrepreneurial training was conducted.
Thereafter, the entire group was trained on the installation, operation and technical aspects of a solar theft-proof roof light and a solar desk lamp.
By way of an entrepreneurial survey, 15 individuals (3 from each community) were selected as solar entrepreneurs.
Each entrepreneur was given a start-up kit of products. Their duty is to sell these products over the next month, and then bring feedback with regards to their challenges, lessons learnt etc.
Numeracy Training -FSB
The Financial Service Board (FSB), visited the Witteklip Multi-Purpose Centre on the 10th December, to conduct training with all 3 communities.
This was a highly anticipated event, due to the nature of the topic covered and the need in the
communities.
communities.
Budgeting was the major topic of the day, with all of the attendants being divided into four groups, in order to discuss and prepare their own budget. Most of the day was spent discussing this subject, with many rigorous debates and some really insightful ideas being proposed.
The communities learnt a lot about clothing accounts, loan sharks, saving and how to stretch the little you have, in order to cover your basic needs. They were also challenged on the subject of take-aways, in comparison to buying ingredients from the shop.
Other topics covered, which were also really beneficial were:
- Funeral policies and funeral cover
- Life after December -how to spend your money over December and January
- The importance of savings
- Consultation with family members
Wednesday, 3 December 2014
Tuesday, 2 December 2014
Sunday, 30 November 2014
Knitting Classes
The knitting aficionados |
WOW! From Zero to Products!
There are individuals that just get on and do what they are passionate about, Ms. Jeanette Nolte is one such person. She has taken the Knitting Class on a journey from ZERO to producing PRODUCTS. We have also procured stock for the knitting aficionado produce more products over the festive season. We are looking forward to even greater achievements in 2015. See more...
Friday, 28 November 2014
A short update by the magician responsible for the knitting program
These are the items that the ladies have started to knit at home which will eventually be sold. Some of the pieces have been ordered so things seem to be going the way as planned. I am more than thrilled with the progress of these ladies, truly a bunch of ladies that have now discovered that they are capable of knitting.
I have since the final and last class for this programme, bought more wool for the Fitchet's Corner and Shamrock Village and handed Lindeka and Mrs Jacobs wool and knitting needles. I was truly sorry that Witteklip ladies were not interested in the knitting programme.
The two ladies in the handing over of the certificate picture, are now the two ladies who run the knitting class in Fitchet's Corner and Shamrock.
Both are doing extremely well. Fitchet' Corner has two more ladies being taught to knit and Shamrock Village (Lindeka) has six ladies. Unfortunately they are limited as to the number of ladies that can come to their respective homes, but they are managing.
I have been keeping in contact with them via the cell phone but now that I can get around I will be visiting the two communities. See more...
Witteklip MPC Renovations
Progress Update
The renovations are going according to plan this far, I am happy with service rendered by Clinton’s alterations. I am busy preparing a progress report on a spreadsheet below is the quick internal progress report of the WMPC.
Kitchen
- Tiling on the Floor and on the wall is completed
- Ceiling Refurbished and Painted
- Plugs and lights switches all installed
- Cupboards, double water sink and tap installed
- Plumbing is completed
Safe Room
- Safe with a frame is constructed
- 3x Plugs installed
- Ceiling is painted
Passage
- Old Vinyl tiles removed
- Ceiling refurbished
Bathrooms
- All floors in the bathrooms tiled
- The wall in the gents shower is completely tiled
- Ceiling in all bathrooms refurbished and painted
Community Compiled Business Plan
Let's start by crawling... |
AFSD subscribes to the principle of "teaching a person to fish". Based on this philosophy we request that the communities compile their business plans. This is important as it starts to build responsibility and accountability from the outset. Read more...
Solar lights installation
Community leader leading by example |
A number of Community members received solar theft proof roof lights to lighten up their homes. See more...
The Critical Success Factor: Monitoring & Evaluation
General overview of the Community Project Teams Performance |
In order to track the overall progress of the MWVS Community Development Programme AFSD has developed an M&E instrument to track is an every activity - as they say, if it moves, measure it. Read more...
Capacity Development and the all important Monitoring & Evaluation
M&E is a critical success factor and AFSD has ensured that we can track the progress of each of the participants. Read more...
Thursday, 27 November 2014
Human Settlement
This is the latest Status Report to Councillor Mafana, with regards to
relocating the communities.The relocation of Shamrock/St Albans is an ongoing process. It is encouraging to see the latest status report. Read more...
Wednesday, 26 November 2014
Witteklip MPC Renovations.
Adding the storeroom |
Daily Progress
Brick work coming together nicely. The kitchen is almost complete with tiles and cupboards in place. See more...
Monday, 17 November 2014
Witteklip MPC Renovations
The renovations to the MPC are progressing well. The Renovation Team also include resources sourced from the communities. See more...
Tuesday, 21 October 2014
Shareholders visit MWVS Community Programme
This was a wonderful opportunity for the Shareholders to have a direct dialogue with the beneficiaries and to see first-hand the impact that their investment is having in our communities. See more...
Knitting Program
See the concentration |
Training communities to knit
Jeanette and her team from Blue Horizon Bay have been diligently training community members from the from our our communities of Shamrock, Fitches Corner and Witteklip.
After several weeks the attendees have now knitted complete garments. The level of achievement and confidence is visible. See more...
Rural Solar Electrification
Ryan and Thabiso from AFSD trained individuals in our communities of Shamrock, Fitches Corner and Witteklip. Such a wonderful site: the joy of being able to charge their cell phones. See more...
Sunday, 19 October 2014
Knitting Classes
Read the following update from Ms Jeanette Nolte, responsible for this amazing confidence boosting initiative.
From humble beginnings |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evening Gentlemen, Trust you have all had a good rest over the last few days.
For now this is a one way street so I will say, yes I did have a good weekend (I take it you would ask the question if you were here), we held our Cancer Cup of Tea on Saturday, had plenty of guests, lots to eat and lots of goodies to raffle, made a lot of money for the Cancer Association of SA, but could have done better.
Knitting Classes:
Tuesday will be our last knitting class for this group of ladies as the next Tuesday we are hoping to have a small get together where we can further discuss a few more ideas. ( next Tuesday we are hoping to have a small party to thank the ladies who attended the class, for their discipline and loyalty to the programme and to the ladies who so kindly helped train the ladeis).
Last Tuesday just before close of day we all sat together and discussed the way forward. We all agreed that most of the ladies had now ‘mastered the art of knitting’ and were ready to continue on their own, but we were not going to just leave them and walk away.
Incidentally some of the ladies had already bought wool and needles and were knitting at home, these knitted garments will be displayed at next week’s get together.
I have identified two ladies:
Fitchet’s Corner – Mrs Thembeka Jacobs.
Shamrock – Lindeka Jacobs.
These two ladies get along with all the other ladies and are considered to be ‘leaders’ .
So now the programme would be.
That Ms Jacobs and Lindeka Jacobs continue helping the ladies (who had attended the classes) with their knitting at a house in each community.
That once a week or perhaps every second week I would travel to Fitchet’s Corner and Shamrock and meet with the two leaders and as many of the other ladies to see what progress has been made.
However to enable the ladies to continue with their knitting there would be a proposal made to the Africa Foundation to assist with balls of wool until such time as the ladies had established a good stock of knitted goods, these goods would then be sold (now that still has to be sorted out).
That the two leaders would also make themselves available to any ‘new learners’ in their respective communities, and teach them how to knit.
By doing this you actually are giving over to the two leaders a great deal of responsibility, which is what I strive for, one cannot always hold a person’s hand when crossing the street, that people must learn to cross the street on their own, thereby instilling confidence and a much better chance of success.
I don’t think that this is premature, I think the time is right, we as trainers have unveiled a talent that they did not know existed.
It is time for them to continue on their own, they must not just be told to get on with the knitting, but that I also remain part of their team and where my visits to the two communities would be essential, to encourage and see where there is progress.
That is how I see the way forward for these ladies and believe together all of these ladies make a terrific team.
So like everything else in life I have to have approval of this proposal so that next Tuesday I can assure them that our relationship does not end now but will continue.
Take care and have a great week.
Jeanette L Nolte
Tuesday, 14 October 2014
Capacity Development - 8 Week Youth Development Programme
An 8 week capacity development programme that was hosted by Ms Jeanette Nolte. The results have been amazing and have provided an insight into the capabilities of the youth within our communities. Read more...
Weekly On-site Project Report
Progress Report
This report is prepared by Thabiso Masigo and is meant to provide a record of his activities and project progress while on-site. Read more...
This report is prepared by Thabiso Masigo and is meant to provide a record of his activities and project progress while on-site. Read more...
Weekly Community Project Team Reports
Weekly Project Team Reports from Witteklip, Fitches Corner and Shamrock
This report is prepared by the 3x project coordinators from the community project teams. Read more...
This report is prepared by the 3x project coordinators from the community project teams. Read more...
Monitoring & Evaluation
How do you know which direction to guide your vessel?
Simple, you go in the direction that the wind takes you. So by the same token, who are the individuals that exhibit the characteristics of potential high performers. One needs to constantly measure, monitor and report on performance. In addition, the report provides an indicator of development areas. Read more and let us have your input...
Simple, you go in the direction that the wind takes you. So by the same token, who are the individuals that exhibit the characteristics of potential high performers. One needs to constantly measure, monitor and report on performance. In addition, the report provides an indicator of development areas. Read more and let us have your input...
Saturday, 11 October 2014
Community Project Teams
Getting things done
How do you ensure that you drive consistant and sustainable "change" in the communities?
AFSD has developed an approach that establish project teams in the communities with a clear code of conduct, roles& responsibilities, deliverables and remuneration. The benefit is that the communities are now held accountable for deliver and at the same time, immediate skills development and job creation is instituted. Read more...
AFSD has developed an approach that establish project teams in the communities with a clear code of conduct, roles& responsibilities, deliverables and remuneration. The benefit is that the communities are now held accountable for deliver and at the same time, immediate skills development and job creation is instituted. Read more...
Knitting Classes
See the enthusiasm and commitment |
Who would have considered that knitting could be the driver of change. The vision and commitment by Jeanette has provide a sense of purpose for our communities. Of even greater surprise is the attendance of a few male candidates from our communities. See more...
Friday, 10 October 2014
Youth Leadership Program
Ntombizanda Platjie |
Monitoring and Evaluation
The greatest challenge with any initiative is to understand what is possible, how to best accomplish the possible and most importantly what to measure, monitor and report.
AFSD has developed an M&E instrument that is evolving as we gain a better appreciation of our communities. Ntombizanda is one of the youth that has participated in the Youth Leadership Programme. Read more...
AFSD has developed an M&E instrument that is evolving as we gain a better appreciation of our communities. Ntombizanda is one of the youth that has participated in the Youth Leadership Programme. Read more...
Tuesday, 7 October 2014
Knitting Classes
Safe and comfortable transport |
The attendees are collected from the Witteklip, Shamrock and Fitches Corner communities and conveyed to the Blue Horizon Bay Community Centre. See more...
Friday, 1 August 2014
Madiba Day
What the communities said...
AFSD requested that the communities provide written commentary about the 3 days that revolved are Madiba Day, see what they said. Read more...
Saturday, 26 July 2014
Post-Madiba Day
There were two session: Improving Capacity in Communication Skills for Youth in Witteklip, Fitches Corner and Shamrock Communities facilitated by Ms Lorena Aguilar. A longer term program of approximately 8 weeks duration for Youth Leadership by Mrs Jeanette Nolte. See more...
Friday, 25 July 2014
Our Day to Celebrate Madiba!
Thursday, 24 July 2014
Wittklip MPC Renovations
The transparent process of identifying and selecting a suitable contractor to renovate the Witteklip MPC included the prospective contractors pitching their proposals to the Community Leadership and their Project Teams. See more...
Friday, 11 July 2014
MWVS Community Development Programme
AFSD visited the Shamrock, Fitches Corner and Witteklip communities as part of the Community Needs Assessment. See more...
Witteklip MPC
This was the initial site visit where the contractors were briefed. prior to the site visit the detailed scope was also circulated. See more...
Thursday, 10 July 2014
MWVS Community Development Programme
The 9 Mother Theresa's |
The Start of Big Things!
The turbines that will eventually be the catalysts for change in our communities. See more...
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