Volmoed RetreatCentre for Healing & Reconciliation

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR GENEROUS DONORS!

As this year ends, we are grateful! Finally, the number of groups, trainings and events are increasing along with future bookings. In this festive season we have more bookings over weekends than we have had since the beginning of Covid-19. This is good news!

We have new life! as our staff member Nomveliso gave birth to a premature baby, Akuminto. Thankfully after a few months in hospital, she came home with her baby, who is healthy and gaining weight, and then returned to work in December. Staff member Maggie got a new eye and new vision, thanks to cataract surgery on her right eye, which was largely paid for by donations from our wonderful, generous donors. Since the surgery all is well and we give thanks.

We managed to fit in a follow up to the significant August ‘Healing of Memories’ Workshop in November. Participants shared inspiring stories of how the workshop was life changing and transforming and how it has made significant changes in their lives in specific ways. It was rewarding to hear the stories and we plan to continue sharing stories on a regular basis.

Our annual Christmas Carol picnic brought together the Manenberg Church band, for a much needed weekend retreat and respite from the gang violence in their town that had escalated the weeks before. They played their instruments and sang their hearts out, despite the gloomy weather that in the end rained us out and sent us indoors. That did not dampen anyone’s spirits and it was a glorious time! The Volmoed Youth Choir and Drumming Group added their pizzazz and we sang together and enjoy a diverse group of locals and visitors at this special time.

Following the death of Archbishop Tutu a year ago, who was the Volmoed patron, we needed to appoint a new patron. We decided that we needed three new patrons! All three were friends and colleagues of Tutu, and share his commitment to justice, reconciliation, and peace. Each brings a wealth of their own experience to help guide us as we move into the future. They are a stunning team:

Professor Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, former Truth & Reconciliation Commissioner, is a psychologist by profession, internationally known for her work on dealing with trauma in contexts of violence. Her vast experience in dealing with trauma and reconciliation connects well with Volmoed’s founding vision as a place of healing, especially in times such as today.

Dr Lionel Louw taught in the Department of Social Work at University of Cape Town for many years until his retirement as few years ago. Lionel has long been engaged in the struggle for justice and reconciliation in South Africa and has a passion to serve the new generation of leaders.

Dr Mary Burton, formerly the President of the women’s organization Black Sash, also served as a commissioner on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and continues to be engaged in the ongoing struggle for human rights, reconciliation and justice in South Africa.

They are a stunning team. At a special event in November they planted a tree in memory of Archbishop Tutu, and a second tree as a sign of their appointment and acceptance of their new role as patrons.

As this year ends, thank you all! for your ongoing support throughout the year. We are enormously grateful and could not do the work we do without you.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT AND ALL YOUR DONATIONS! WE APPRECIATE YOU!