Latest News
Mandela Day
In support of Mandela Day on Friday 18th of July, MFTC undertook to make 300 fleece blankets for charity. Thank you to all our volunteers (mom’s and students from St Stithians and Brescia) for their amazing support in making these stunning blankets!! Blankets were delivered to Chance children’s home, Princess Alice Children’s Home, Agio Nectario Old Age Home, Stay Agapis Home for the Homeless and Kids Haven.
RECAP OF 2013
MFTC is proud to have been instrumental in the purchase of a Madiba Buggy Wheelchair for Hlumelo Xam. Hlumelo is a 4 year old boy suffering from severe cerebral palsy due to complications at birth. He is unable to sit or hold his body upright, and has very little verbal skills. He is cared for by his amazing mother. As Hlumelo has grown, it has become more and more difficult for his mother to carry him as he is not only a tall child but is naturally getting heavier. The specially fitted wheelchair allows Hlumelo the opportunity to be supported in an upright position. The experience of witnessing his delight as he sat upright in his new chair, was truly touching. MFTC has also committed to assisting the Xam family with school fees for Hlumelo in the New Year.
Unfortunately CHANCE has encountered numerous difficulties with their government grants this year. The result of this has been that at times they have had no financial means to buy food for their 90 children. MFTC has provided them with food, basic essentials, baby formula and nappies for most of this year. Thank you to those who supported us in the 2012 Golf days. Part of the money raised has allowed us the opportunity to help the children who have often gone to school with no lunch.
The children from Chance were treated to a a theatre production of The Wizard of Oz at UJ University in July of this year. Tickets were very kindly sponsored by Lesley Legrange on behalf of the Ovation Youth Dance Company. MFTC provided transport for the children and staff from Springs to the theatre as well as food and refreshments. The children thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Our 8th annual golf day at Dainfern on the 21st of November 2013 was a resounding success. Thank you to all our supporters for a fantastic day. We raised R186 000 which will be put towards new projects in the New year!
BONE ANCHORED HEARING AID
Cornelis is a 13 year old boy who was born with congenital canal atresia (ie no external or middle ear structures) on the left side. His external ear was under developed or essentially absent. Due to the absence of any external or middle ear structures, he presented with a severe conductive hearing loss in this ear. Despite the right ear being normal in appearance, testing revealed a substantial hearing loss in this ear too. Cornelis was experiencing significant academic difficulties at school due to the hearing loss, but social and emotional/psychological issues became apparent more recently. He began to demonstrate aggressive behavior when attention was drawn to his ear. Being a 13 year old teenager with a deformity, this also took a toll on his self esteem.Thanks to Music for The Children, Cornelis could be implanted with a Bone Anchored hearing aid to restore hearing to essentially normal in this ear. He also received a prosthetic ear which established facial symmetry and resulted in normal appearance. The fitting of the prosthesis and hearing aid has had a remarkably positive effect on Cornelis’ demeanour, performance at school and self esteem. Subsequent testing has proved the efficiency of the hearing aid. Family feedback is testament to the positive outcome of the surgery. Cornelis now appears as a well adjusted and happy teenager.
PRINCESS ALICE CHILDREN'S HOME
Music For the Children recently assisted in livening up the gardens at the Princess Alice Children's Home thanks to the donations and involvement of Deidre Thompson and others.
WHAT HAPPENED IN 2011
CHANCE Children's Home, in Nigel, Springs was renovated and decorated, much to the delight and appreciation of all. This was our major project for the year.The year 2011 also saw our 6th Annual Golf Day, held once more at the Dainfern Country Club, which is our major fundraiser. Once again it proved to be a successful one, due to the generosity of our valued supporters, who play each and every year. A happy and beautiful spring day in September, was had by all.
CHANCE then had us organising their Christmas Party again and each child was given a gift, with their name on it, and individually presented to them. Even the tiny babies were handed over bath products and educational toys for their cots and play area.
Kentucky Fried Chicken, generously donated their lunch for the party and all the kids were treated to a soft serve ice cream with flaky, by the mobile ice cream van, that was especially arranged for them. Our loyal face painter Lyn was there too, again this year, along with her son and together they did an incredible job of face painting and spray on tattoos, for all those there. Thank you Funky Faces! Just before we said our goodbyes and Happy Christmas’, they were handed party packs, which included a Christmas cracker each.
CHANCE staff, not to be forgotten for their hard work, were treated to many different eats, such as mince pies, baked cheese cake and savoury platters.
Just before 2011 came to an end, Music for the Children Foundation, met with the Princess Alice Adoption Home, in Westcliff, Johannesburg, and foods such as formula, mince and chicken and baby products and disposable nappies, were purchased. This Home will be part of our vision for 2012, assisting with the feeding of babies, tending their gardens and the like.
2012 will also see Music for the Children get involved with the sponsoring of the costs incurred for a young child who needs a prosthetic ear and all that goes with the operation. We will keep you posted.
THANK YOU ALWAYS FOR YOUR CARE AND SUPPORT. SO GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Going to the Rugby!
On Friday the 9th of September 2011 Bongani had the opportunity to run onto the field carrying the match
ball at the Golden Lions Vs The GWK Griquas game, where he got to meet and run around the field with the
Lion Mascot. Bongani also had chance to meet the players and get their autographs.
There were a number of kids from CHANCE at the match, as well as some of the friends of Music for the Children who came to meet the children, including Dermot Byrne from Workforce Group (PTY) Ltd, Operations & Gauteng Director.
There were a number of kids from CHANCE at the match, as well as some of the friends of Music for the Children who came to meet the children, including Dermot Byrne from Workforce Group (PTY) Ltd, Operations & Gauteng Director.