An unforgettable meeting with my old friend Desmond Tutu

This morning ( Friday November 28, 2008)
I left Straightway Head Country Hotel in Somerset West at around 5:45 for St. Georges Cathedral in Cape Town.

I was fortunate to be accompanied by my honorary Chairman Baron Kraijenhoff en his darling wife but also by many MKI friends from Europe and South Africa.

What a joy it was to see my old friend again. During the ecumenical service he invited me to introduce my guests to him. He was impressed with my memory. During the service we all had to come forward to get

He used to preach very often in St. Georges Cathedral during the time that he was Archbishop of Cape Town.

After the service we all got invited for a light breakfast with Desmond Tutu which gave us time to have some private time with him. We exchanged gifts which he really enjoyed.

From the Baron and Baroness he received a beautiful delfts blue plate depicting the church of Delft. On behalf of my wife I presented him with a gift for Mrs. Tutu.

He shared with how thankful he was for having had the opportunity to write something about MKI and its mission in the Journal of Public Health Management Practice which just came out a few weeks ago.

Adriaan Nuhn and his wife Glenda were among the MKI friends that joined me this morning. Adriaan is the Chairman to be of MKI’s Supervisory Board.

Tonight the daughter and son in law of the family Cordia, owners of the Straightway Country Hotel, are hosting a fundraising dinner for MKI in honor of the Baron and Baroness at their hotel in Somerset West. The Cordia’s are great supporters of MKI.

An unforgettable day for MKI.

Just for your information Desmond Tutu is a member of MKI's International Board of Advisors.

Tomorrow I report about the successful workshops of the last couple of days.

With my Honorary Chairman to South Africa

After a delay of more than 2 hours we finally left Schiphol airport in Amsterdam on Saturday November 22nd for Cape Town.

On this trip I am been accompanied by my honorary Chairman, Guup, Baron Kraijenhoff and his darling wife Yvonne, the Baroness.

I am so honored for these two very special people to join me to finally see the many things MKI is doing in South Africa. Guup also felt that after the many stories from others he finally wanted to see it for him self.

After a rest day on Sunday, we started the first workshop on Monday, November 24 in our Health Information Centre in Khayelitsha.
Under the dynamic leadership of MKI’s facilitator Naomi Holdt, a psychologist from the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal about 20 participants were empowered on the topic of sexual offenses, a timely and well received workshop of 2 days.

The first day of the workshop ended with the creation of the SOS Group (Sexual Offences Support Group) made up of some of the participants who will be looking for ways of expanding on the topic by promoting the issues discussed in the township of Khayelitsha.

Kirsty Stiff, MKI’s South African Directors offered the centre for meetings and other kind of activities of this newly formed group of powerful woman ready for making a difference. The first meeting of the group is planned for December 3rd

This coming Wednesday and Thursday the workshop will be repeated in the Stellenbosch for our trainers from four different townships, Kayamadi, Cloetersville, Idasvalley and Jamestown.

On Friday November 28, we have been invited to a church service conducted by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu after which we will have a private meeting with him.

Baron and Baroness Kraijenhoff shown on the picture above during the first day of our workshop in Khayelitsha.

There is more to come, kind regards,
Harold Robles

Glennis Grace MKI's newest Goodwill Ambassador

On Saturday November 15, 2008 the famous Dutch singer Glennis Grace was appointed Goodwill Ambassadors for MKI's YOELL project.

This event took place at the department store De Bijenkorf in Amsterdam.

Glennis was appointed by Barbara Barend and Wilma Veen, both Goodwill Ambassadors of MKI.

It was a great event, thanks to the support of De Bijenkorf.

Welcome to my blog

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to my personal blog.
Plans are to use this blog for quick up to date information about my activities and the many activities of the Medical Knowledge Institute (MKI).

Many thanks to the many volunteers who made this blog possible.
Please do visit this blog from time to time to follow my activities.

With kind regards,
Harold Robles