'Every child is my child'

CHATT members visited the Fikelela Children's Centre to meet children living with and affected by HIV.

We heard from one of the carers that the motto at the centre is 'Every child is my child'.

The children are extremely energetic and beautiful and we totally loved holding and playing with them! The boys and girls’ ages range from about 6 months to about 8 years. They are supported by a loving and committed team of carers who work with social workers to ensure the children receive their treatment, access additional health and social services, and are placed in long-term foster homes or, where possible, re-united with their families.

There are many challenging issues both for the children and their carers. As CHATT, we are proud of our relationship with Fikelela and look forward to continuing to support them as much as we can.

30 years/30 lives

Photo taken in Cape Town from 
30 years/30 lives collection

On 14 January 2013, CHATT started the new year with a stimulating meeting with Kimberly Vrudny, an associate professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas, in Minnesota.

Kim led a piece of work called 30 years/30 lives http://30years30lives.org She documented the lives of 30 people affected by HIV through photography. The majority of people involved in the project were from Cape Town.

As CHATT members, it was so interesting to learn about Kim's experience of capturing the structural drivers of HIV through individual stories, including issues around ethics in photography.

Kimberly has donated the rights to print the photographs to the Cathedral and is open to exploring how we can use the photographs to reach Cathedral members and the broader Cape Town community with stories about the lives of people affected by HIV.

Living life in all its fullness!

CHATT celebrated World AIDS Day 2012 with Fikelela and several Churches in the Cape Town CBD.

The day begun with the lighting of candles at St. George's Cathedral by our faith leaders. This was followed by a drama called Lucky the Hero. Art, music and stalls were organised at nearby churches. Voluntary counselling and testing was available for all of us who were interested in knowing our HIV status.

The events culminated in a special service at the Methodist Church on Greenmarket Square. Zackie Achmat joined us in raising a big yellow banner, which reads ARVs have come to give you life in all its fullness!

The spirit of Ubuntu

The morning of Saturday 10 November was a perfect warm late spring day, not a cloud in the sky, with a very gentle breeze playing on my face, coming off the sea. The beautiful Green Point Park was the chosen venue for our little annual picnic of thanksgiving to twenty women who care for abandoned children affected by HIV.

On arrival I sensed a delightful spirit of joy and fun between all. Our guests started singing and dancing to some of their traditional songs, and I felt that we were all participating in the spirit of Ubuntu. Georgina presented us with our timetable for lunch, recreation and sharing, which was preceded with a prayer of Grace and thanksgiving by Sis Freda Mfenyana. We sat on the lawns enjoying the well prepared food and drinks, whilst mingling with one another. At 1pm people could meander and walk around the park, enjoying its beauty.

We assembled again at 2pm. CHATT members had prepared a special certificate of appreciation for each one of the carers together with a lovely little gift for them to enjoy. Thereafter Dr Walter Loening encouraged them to share with us some of their joys and challenges about their work, that they do with such love and dedication. It was with great interest that we could listen to their stories and learn a little about their lives.

At 3pm it was time for us to bid farewell to each other: I left with a wonderful feeling of gratitude and enrichment for the privilege of being able to honour these wonderful women who with such care and love care for these orphaned children. Our Master Jesus said ‘In as much as you have done it to the least of my brethren, you have done it unto me’ (Matthew 25: Verse 40).

Sarita Stern

Talking about sex

In October 2012, Fikelela supported CHATT and St. George’s Cathedral in facilitating sessions for confirmands on sex and sexuality within the context of our Christian faith. Through interactive exercises, St. George’s young people participated in discussions about relationships, intimacy and marriage. This is an important part of our growth as Christians. Thank you to St. George’s for the support and opportunity to hold the sessions and to Fikelela for facilitating such fun, deep and real talk!

Fun selling books

On a wet and windy Saturday morning, CHATT members supported the Cathedral's Shop in selling a whole range of books at the Cavendish Booksale. The Cathedral Shop was very successful and as CHATT we really enjoyed the experience of people-watching and supporting them in picking some awesome books to read!

Bands rocked at St. G's!

On Friday 24 August, CHATT and Fikelela hosted a benefit concert for the Fikelela Children's Centre. Bands rocked it at the concert and we raised over 10,000 Rands! Can't wait for next year!!

 SACS band

Langa choir