Being blessed on my birthday by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

Friday, October 8, 2010

A few minutes after 7am this morning in the Saint George Cathedral my dear friend Desmond Tutu called upon me to congratulate me with my birthday.

He took his time to introduce me to the congregation and the many guests and shared with the them that I had only turned 22 years. (sorry Arch 62, born in 1948)

He started to tell who I was and what I was doing when he looked up and said, “Harold you can tell it much better, so please share with them what MKI is doing in South Africa.”

My gift was a copy of his latest book published together with his daughter Mpho Tutu with the following inscription:

“Harold, Happy Birthday, God bless you, Desmond Tutu, 8-10-2010, Cape Town”

I was accompanied by Johan Neppelenbroek, the well known Dutch Chef with one Michelin Star, in the process of opening a restaurant at Longridge Winery in Stellenbosch and Kirsty Hunt, MKI’s Executive Director for Southern Africa and her husband Ian.

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu 79 years old

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Tonight I joined many personal friends of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu for his 79th birthday party on board the MV Explorer.
Many laughs, wonderful talks and great seeing the Arch so relaxed and enjoying himself.

Tomorrow night he and his darling wife Leah will be leaving Cape Town on this sailing university: Semester at Sea.

Semester at Sea was established in 1963 and over the last 47 years has sailed over 100 voyages and shown the world to more than 55,000 alumni who represent 93 countries.

What a wonderful, unforgettable evening.

Happy Birthday Arch

Pictures:
The Archbishop enjoying himself and spending some time with him.

Medical Knowledge Institute South Africa Trust

The deed for creating Medical Knowledge Institute South Africa Trust was been officially signed on Monday October 4th, 2010

From Left to Right:

John van Zyl, Chairman
Harold Robles
Rev. Desmond Lambrechts
Sitting Hannie Nutbey
Jelle Braaksma was missing

MKI, the Sandton Hotels and the making of a documentary, day 10

This will never be the same.

Deep rooted friendship was created on this trip.

MKI and the Sandton Hotels are “family” forever.

Many thanks to all of you who made this possible.

MKI, the Sandton Hotels and the making of a documentary, day 9

A documentary about MKI would not be complete without mentioning our dear partners Clover Mama Afrika.

So we visited two of our MKI Health Information Satellites in collaboration with Clover Mama Afrika and Jöell Berry joined us on behalf of Prof. Elaine Vlok.

I salute Mama Pumla and Mama Lumka, both located in the Western Cape.

MKI, the Sandton Hotels and the making of a documentary, day 8

A very special thank you to Fikiswa Seti, our trainer at the MKI Health Information Centre in Kayamandi.

I proudly dedicated this blog to Fikiswa and her dedication to MKI but most of all to the women of her township.

We are so proud of you dear Fikiswa.

MKI, the Sandton Hotels and the making of a documentary, day 7

For days they have been preparing because Desmond Tutu is coming to town.
Mama Rosie the head of Baphumelele has been nerves for days, for the first time in her life she would be sacking the hands of the man she adored and who she only had seen on television and in newspapers.

The children were lining up, while the powerful choir that sang in the Mandela musical was rehearsing.
In the middle of al of this I got a call from Mthunzi the dryer but also the son in law of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu that they had left the highway. We had 5 minutes to go.

More and more people had gathered and there he was.
After being introduced to the many that have been waiting we entered the MKI Health Information Centre for the graduation of two classes.
The former Archbishop enjoyed his visit and he insisted that all students who received their certificate would come to the front to meet with him.

After the official ceremony we all sang and enjoyed his company.
He thanks everyone and shared is unending support and love for the work of MKI. “God smiles when it looks at MKI”.

In the meantime outside the centre many children had gathered to sing and dance for their Archbishop and he joined them.
An unforgettable visit.

The next day I received the following email:
Dear Friend,
Thank you for your kind note. I was deeply touched by all I saw and must say I am impressed by all that you do.
God bless you and yours,
arch

MKI, the Sandton Hotels and the making of a documentary, day 6

Today we are in Kayamandi were the camera crew will be filming a workshop on STI’s (Sexual Transmitted Infections). Our trainer Fikiswa did a great job in providing her 15 students with the necessary information.

Fikiswa explained the usage of the male and female condoms, while responding to the many questions that she received.

In the afternoon we visited one of our facilitators in the township who shared her involvement in our female hygiene project.

All together another great day which we ended with a traditional South African Braay in “De Molen”, a Dutch bed and breakfast owned by Christy and Joris Christiaans. Twenty nine people accepted our invitation including the Dutch Counsel General in Cape Town, David de Waal.

MKI South Africa Trust, now official

Please meet the first trustees of the "Medical Knowledge Institute - South Africa Trust

The inaugural meeting took place on Tuesday August 10th in Somerset West, South Africa.

Picture 1: From left to right:
Me (Trustee), Hannie Nutbey, (Trustee Chair) , Kirsty Hunt (Executive Director) Ex Officio
Picture 2: From left to right:
Reverend Desmond Lamberts (Trustee), Dr. Jelle Braaksma (Trustee), Yasmin Fuyk (Operational Manager MKI Holland) Guest
Picture 3: From left to right:
Yasmin Fuyk, Prof. John van Zyl (Trustee), me, Hannie Nutbey, Kirsty Hunt, Dr. Jelle Braaksma

MKI, the Sandton Hotels and the making of a documentary, day 5

This morning we visited the MKI Centre in Khayelitsha were a workshop on child development was being thought by May one of our trainers. The camera crew and the guests had a field day. May was in his element as always.

While the workshop went on the YOELL ladies came to work.
Their participation in the making of the documentary was very natural; they had the most wonderful thing to say. One of them in particular made it clear on camera that MKI had made a difference in her life after the dead of her boyfriend who died of AIDS, while pregnant with his third child.

I cannot explain how happy I am from these kinds of statements. This really shows that we are making a difference in the lives of so many.

Today was also an historical day for MKI. At 5:30 in the late afternoon we gathered together for the first official meeting of the Medical Knowledge Institute South Africa Trust.
After many months of preparation we set around a table chaired by Hannie Nutbey, a South African married to a Dutch Gentlemen. Hannie has been very instrumental in the creation of the MKI Trust in South Africa.
Other Trustees include, Reverend Desmond Lamberts, Prof. John van Zyl, Dr. Jelle Braaksma and me. Kirsty Hunt, the Executive Director of MKI South Africa was appointed ex official member and in charge of the day to day operations.

Because of the excitement I had a very hard time falling asleep last.

MKI, the Sandton Hotels and the making of a documentary, day 4

Monday August 9, South African National Women’s day

What a great idea; a national holiday in honor of the most wonderful creation of God.
We spend this day in Wellington, on the estate of Diemersfontein, and we had a great time, relaxing and enjoying the wonderful breakfast and each other’s company.
The camera crew spend the day on a small game reserve were they have been trying to film of the big fives.

In the evening we had dinner with Prof John van Zyl and his wife Charlotte in Stellenbosch. Prof van Zyl is one of the first trustees of the MKI South Africa Trust which will be officially established tomorrow evening in Somerset West. Beside that John van Zyl will be involved in the creation of MKI Community Health Radio.

Very soon you will be able to find more information on this subject on our website.
Another great day with very special people.

Warm regards to all the ladies of the world.

MKI, the Sandton Hotels and the making of a documentary, day 3

Sunday, a day of prayer so when I am in South Africa a visit to the church in the township of Kayamandi. What a joy it was to see my friends again.
Also this time I had to come to the pulpit to introduce my guest and to share with the congregation what I have been doing and what they can accept in the coming weeks and months from their MKI Health Information Centre in Kayamandi.
We enjoyed the beautiful singing, sometimes very emotional.

The rest of the day we spend on the beautiful wine-estate Longridge owned by Aldo and Debbie van der Laan. These two wonderful people, together with their management team and representative in Europe made a decision to donate a certain amount of money from every bottle of Longridge bottle of wine sold to MKI.

This occasion was being celebrated in style.
Another great partner believing in the mission of MKI.

MKI, the Sandton Hotels and the making of a documentary, DAY 2

The second day of filming started in our Health Information Centre in Khayelitsha. Our three top staff members, Xolani, the administrator, May, known as the top dog trainer, and Andile, a new trainer on his way to become the assistant trainer to May received the camera crew and my guest with open arms.
Later they told me that they felt so welcome it was like meeting friends they had known for a very long time.

So we used the day to visit some of our students who have become facilitators in the township. They had been waiting for us and were eager to tell their stories, predominately success stories. Success stories of how they are using the knowledge received by MKI to empower their community members and especially the youth.

It was easy sailing for the camera crew because as I mentioned before they told their story with so much passion and conviction.

The statements of these wonderful people confirmed again what a difference MKI is really making in the lives of so many people.
Defiantly something to be proud of
Again good wishes from South Africa.

PICTURES:
Enjoy some of the pictures of the day

MKI, the Sandton Hotels and the making of a documentary.

Yesterday the creation of a documentary about the activities of the Medical Knowledge Institute has began with a very special church service in the St. George Cathedral in downtown Cape Town. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was not able to do the service since he had to be in London to be back this weekend to spend with us and the camera crew this coming Thursday.

After the solemn service we all felt that the mission to South Africa was being blessed and that we could start our journey in creation a documentary on the activities of MKI. So after the service we were invited to join a small group of people to have breakfast. So we found ourselves sitting in a little circle around the table with the former major of Cape Town, the co-chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee, Lavinia Brown the former PA to Desmond Tutu and the Consul General of the Netherlands David de Waal, to name a few.

After breakfast we... and maybe this is the time to introduce the MKI / Sandton Hotels / Longridge / team to you. Rogier and Elke Braakman, one of the co-founders of the Sandton Hotels, Janneke Rutten, director of Intense Wines and partner of Longridge, Brigitte Plugge, Director of BIMA Productions, Sjoerd Vogel, the cameraman of BIMA Productions, Laurien Hylkema, the sound lady of BIMA Production and Willibrord Kruijsen, the lighting and photo man of BIMA Production, Yasmin Fuyk the operational manager of MKI and me of course.
For your information the creation of the documentary is being financed by Sandton Hotels, Intense Wines and Longridge in honour of MKI’s activities in Southern Africa.

So, after breakfast we paid our respect to the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Cape Town, Mr. David de Waal. David, a great supporter of MKI was so kind to receive the group in his office and to make a statement on camera.

We than toured Cape Town, visited the always very beautiful Table Mountain which gave the camera crew a sublime view of Cape Town.
We ended the day with an unforgettable being together with Kirsty, MKI’s Executive Director for Southern Africa and her husband Ian.

All good wishes from South Africa

PICTURES:
1. The group leaving Amsterdam for South Africa
2. Together with David de Waal and Rogier Braakman