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.