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nelson mandela bay's family lifestyle
author:
xandre van der berg
unification charity event
photography:
zuko, lifegate photography
issue:
9, easter 2009
The last Thursday of February 2009 saw Morne Kretschmann Art Gallery host an intimate charity event in aid of Khayalethu Youth Centre, the only registered haven for street children in one of our country's largest metropolitan areas. The event was stylish, yet surprisingly informal. The warm summer evening found guests relaxing in the beautiful formal garden before browsing the rooms of the Morne Kretschmann Art Gallery. Guests included celebrity Nono Gali who chose Khayalethu Youth Centre as the charity for which she will create awareness during her reign as Miss PE 2008. “My office had a fun day with Khayalethu last year and when I saw them on the list of charities I knew this would be the one for me,” she said. Nono hopes that in her year she will be able to raise much needed funds & publicity for Khayalethu. Local business people such as Jenny Wilkinson and Tobie Krige of the Capital Outsourcing Group and Dr Nelson, a local general practitioner, were also present, alongside art lovers, academics, friends of Khayalethu Youth Centre and press representatives. “We believe it is every person's responsibility to make a difference”, said Morne Kretschmann, when asked how it came about that they hosted this event. “We have this beautiful gallery and the Pierneef Café. When the work of the Khayalethu Youth Centre was brought to our attention, we could not resist the temptation to utilize our facility and network of friends and clients for their benefit.” The Morne Kretschmann Art Gallery is the only gallery in Nelson Mandela Bay with investment art permanently on display and for sale. “Our city often host solo exhibitions of local artist's work. The need for a gallery that would exhibit national and international art, broadening art lovers & investor's opportunities, became evident and our gallery was born.” Proceeds from the ticket sales, as well as 10% of all art sold for the event went to Khayalethu Youth Centre. “We do receive a 40% government subsidy on our annual expenditure,” explained Dr Marietjie van der Merwe, principal of the Youth Centre, “but events like these are invaluable. They do not only help us to meet our needs, but create awareness for the work we do, encouraging people to become friends of our project. Without the interest of the people of Nelson Mandela Bay, we would never be able to change the lives of our boys.” The Pierneef Café's chef proved inspired with a lovely three course meal, presented as artfully as the works that grace this gallery's walls; local entertainers, the Four Classics, providing musical fare between courses. Before desserts were served, Dr Marietjie van der Merwe informed guests with a well produced DVD presentation on the Youth Centre, their work, successes and challenges. “Our mission is to provide intervention programmes and alternative care for boys between the ages of eight and eighteen. We meet these boys' basic needs through a holistic and developmental approach, always keeping in mind the ultimate aim of re-socializing these children and meaningfully re-integrating them into society,” explained Dr van der Merwe. As we watch the presentation I realize, in our affluence we often take for granted the “normality” we are able to provide our children with. The boys cared for at Khayalethu Youth Centre know no “normal” family. They are skilled at survival, learning to fend for themselves, from a ridiculously young age. When they are taken in by this Centre, despite being merely eight or nine years old, they've seen and experienced more than any child should. The contrast between the life these boys have before Khayalethu and after entering the Centre, shown in Dr van der Merwe's DVD presentation, ignites hope in my heart. If we are interested enough, we may be part of a solution that is having a sustainable, long term impact – one that will reach beyond our own lifetime into the lives of these boys' children.
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