May 2009 Projects

The most recent Umbon’ Omhle project is a multi-youth organization concert or show which was held at the Maitland Town Hall. This show was held on the 9th of May 2009. The idea for this show was initiated by the youth organization ‘Sibambene,’ a sister organization from Dunoon which was started in January 2009. An organization from Bonteheuwel joined in the fun, having made contact with Sibambene. A choir from Joe Slovo joined in the fun and made for a richer overall performance, making the day ever more beautiful.

May has been a busy month for Umbon’ Omhle already with a workshop on De-stressing and relaxation kicking the month off on the 1st of May. This workshop conducted by Ms. Lorna Houston took place at a local day care centre in Zone 9, Langa. The day began with sessions designed to help youth manage their emotions better and to understand  how stress can affect them. Capacitar tools such as breath, finger holds, tai chi, pal dan gum, head, neck, and shoulder stress release were employed. The day ended off with a June 16 and year planning session. Local caterer Ms Ntshangase provided the youth at the workshop with a tasty meal at the end of the workshop.

Two days later on the 3rd of May Umbon’ Omhle had a meeting /workshop with parents of the children who take part in the organisation’s daily programmes. This was a very fruitful meeting, even with the poor parent turnout. At this meeting Umbon’ Omhle got to know parents better and we got a chance to hear what a lot of the parents are capable of doing, and therefore how they can contribute to the improvement of our community’s operation. A committee that will be helping with the organisation’s work was put together and these were sisters (not biological) Mandisa, Punky and Shirley. They will help initially with the planning of the next community ‘cookout.’

The next event Umbon’ Omhle will have this month is the second event in the signature ‘cookout’ series. This is a community day where the ‘young’ members of the organization plan what Sunday meal they feel they can cook for the community. For the first cookout we had rice and pap, a range of salads prepared, and a chicken /boerewors braai to complete the meal. The food is served in an open space outside and members or local residents are called out to come and spend some time with each other. This initiative has worked to get community members to know each other and also to experience a sense of the organisation’s work with the youth. Most importantly though the initiative’s purpose is to have Umbon’ Omhle youth express themselves about what ideas they feel can help improve conditions in the neighbourhood, and what things can help improve the relations between residents. Local residents are then asked to contribute whatever ideas they might have toward the development of community. All in all it is a fun and productive day as youth perform their poems and sing some songs. Stepping Stones Children’s Centre located in the city of Cape Town assisted in this project by donating quite a bit of the food toward the rice and salads. There is no sponsor to the second cookout as yet, although Nomzamo Butchery in Langa has promised to sell their meat toward the event at a discount.