May and June can be seen as the months we birthed new aspects of our vision in South African soil.

These being the planning, execution and fulfilment of strategic developments of our vision, purposes and goals for today, the future and how we as a team can continue fighting the good fight against drugs in our country.

• AGM –Board Members and Healing Wings Management present their first general meeting.
• Drug Provincial Summit - Giles Fourie extends his godly influence into the chambers of local government
• First Mankele Mile –a 1600 meter circular swim for gold, silver, bronze and achievement.
• SoulJah – our first evangelical drug awareness campaign is realised.

Our first AGM was held on the 28th May 2011 and provided our directors, Acacio and Ruth Valadas Vieira with the platform to share the development and growth of HWSA over the last two years. One easily forgets that Healing Wings residents and management team arrived in RSA on a cold June morning 2 years ago, after an Exodus out of Mozambique into the unknown. Well that is old news and this forum provided the board to present the reality of the challenges faced and how through steadfast perseverance over-came these challenges. It is this commitment to a calling that has transformed HWSA into a flagship rehabilitation centre that fully complies with the Minimum Norms and Standards set out by the Social Development Department. Ruth was able to thank Isabel Makusha from the Department of Social Development for her inspection and endorsement of HWSA the week prior to the AGM. In her inspection, Isabel confirmed that Healings Wings had complied to all of the standards set out by legislation.

 

The stark reality of before and after pictures presented in PowerPoint visually highlighted the journey travelled – from ashes to beauty. Each department was offered the opportunity to present feedback on how structures, procedures, policies and administrative systems have ensured growth, accountability and direction for every activity offered by HWSA.
The meeting was attended by over 40 individuals representing families, residents, support groups, local authorities and staff from other recognised social services. Positive feedback and encouragement was received from all attendees
After Carte Blanche – again one can measure the success in a venture by the amount of feedback received. Since the viewing of Acacio and Ruth’s story on Carte Blanche they have received mails from across the country encouraging them to keep pioneering forward. Many past residents also wrote in and called to thank our leader’s for the inspiration that they remain to be in their lives. (Click here to watch the interview)

 

Congratulations Ruth !! Ruth was appointed a bona fide commissioner of oaths. Witness her first official signing on our photo’s page.

 

The first official Drug Master Plan for Mpumulanga returned with Giles and Gabisile after attending the local provincial drug summit in Secunda.

09-10 JUNE 2011
GRACELAND-SECUNDA

Giles Fourie : Operation Manager
Gabisile P Nxumalo : Social Auxiliary Work.
Introduction
The summit was well attended with a record 600 people this included the MEC Ms DG Mahlangu, KW Motloung from the District Municipality, Ms Ningi Mlangeni the Acting Head of DSD, SAPS T Ntobela the Provincial Commissioner, MF Dhlamini the Chief Director: Community Development, COSATU,SALGA, Liquor Industry, NYDA, House of Tradition Leaders, Business Against Crime, MSAF, CDA and the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee.
An Overview of the Summit
The focus of the Summit was to clearly define the role of government together with NPO’s and NGO’s in the Mpumalanga Province in fighting the growing scourge of drug addiction.
Giles Fourie was elected to be the part of the board to organize the provincial Anti Substance Abuse Summit and sits on the Mpumalanga Substance abuse Forum.
The MEC strongly emphasized that due to lack of jobs, houses and poor education people are trapped in the cycle of poverty. It is these people that are more vulnerable to getting trapped in addiction and this result in the rising crime rate in our communities. The issue of addiction is affecting our youth and it is no longer unusual for children to sell their bodies for sex to support their addiction. She strongly stated that as a country and a people we need to fight this problem in our communities. The war on drugs needs to unified between the Government, NGO and Social Development to have victory and to have drug free country.
The MEC spoke about street kids and she strongly stated that more needs to be done to help those children by getting them off the streets and into rehabilitation centers. This is the starting point of many hardened criminal and drug peddlers.

The commission topics:

1. Demand Reduction:-
• The gaps in the existing policies
• Effects of drugs on youth.

2. Supply Reduction.
• The role of SAPS in the reduction of drugs supply.
• Border control and management on substance abuse issues (SAPS, Home Affairs and SARS)

3. Harm Reduction.
• Prevention programmes on the dangers of drugs abuse.
• Drug treatment.
• Treatment for children under the age of 18.

4. Role of Civil Society.
• The relationship between crime and substance abuse.
• The relationship between HIV & AIDS and substance abuse.
• The role of religion in combating substance abuse.
• The role of moral regeneration in combating substance abuse.

Conclusion
• There is a high demand for social workers.
• There is a high demand to focus on youth and schools.
• There is a shortage Youth Care Centre’s across the country.
It was a great experience to be part of the Provincial Summit. On behalf of the Healing Wings Rehabilitation Centre we appreciate the invitation and we are looking forward to continue working with Government and the Social Development.

By the By…

It was not only serious business this month, fun and recreation was also part of the programmes as we develop activities that inspire others to seek thrills in the natural and a healthy manner.

Our Equine therapy received an extended new stable which was in preparation to welcome Sage and Constantine two ex racing thoroughbreds from our stock in Mozambique. Weeks of planning between vets, customs officials and the operations team resulted in these two beautiful horses being able to cross the border and enter into RSA. Sage and Constantine are a welcomed sight as they are desperately needed to respond to the demand we have to partake in this therapy.

Mankele Mile success. 12 swimmers got into the water and 12 finished strong – This after serious struggles with self doubt, fear of freezing to death and an absolute belief that we will not achieve this goal. Well swimmers, you came, you swam and you won. After training in cold water at 6h00 and giving up of your personal time you proved that you can achieve goals that your mind says you will not possibly be able to do. A special mention of Sister Danel’s commitment is required as she boldly leapt into water to get a much needed asthma pump to a resident. Hats off- applause. This has proven so successful that we will extend the events on the day to include 100 and 200 meter sprints.

IndaBush Our ladies went for a hike into the local hills with determination to get out of their comfort zones. A specific route was selected which forces team work as obstacles such as rocks, boulders, cascading waterfalls need to be overcome to reach the final goal – the hidden waterfall. Tougher patches are overcome through combining strength, willpower and pure encouragement to overcome the spots “I can do this.” Not alone but using one another as stepping stones, “a hands” up or a shove from behind to get through it. We are not leaving you behind – we are going to do this together. The attitudes developed in this challenge prove that if we work as a team we can make it and asking for help is not filled with shame but a desperate need to get over this thing in front of me. Well done Girls… always an inspiration.

First Mountain top praise and worship – – the men’s team decided to hike up the surrounding hills early one morning instead of the normal routine. We headed off with the guys at 6h00 and started the track up a hill overlooking HWSA. Many groans and moans along the way but once we had reached our planned spot each resident was given some space to become quiet and focus on what’s going on in their heart and heads. After a while we gathered together and offered thanks to God for providing us a new opportunity at life.

Healing Wings was invited by Kohin ministries to join hands with their ministry in fighting the fight of faith in Lydenburg. Kohin have a yearly youth week whereby they present a jam packed week of worship, teachings, dance dramas and productions aimed at creating a platform to spread the Gospel to the youth of Lydenburg.

To make this effective we christened our worship band with the name –SoulJah. Jah meaning the independent ONE of my SOUL and Jah found in the term hallelujah – meaning a thousand praises. So we believe that if we fill our hearts with worship, his love, grace and deliverance we can give praises to him. Then as good soldiers we need to take this message to others. We become SoulJahs of the Good news.
SoulJah’s strategy was to offer two nights of praise and worship as we know that worship opens up the heavens and reinforces God’s sovereignty on earth. The following day we delivered a message via two mediums, these being a PowerPoint presentation and a live drama enactment focused on the reality and effects of drug addiction.

Results? One can only determine effectiveness based on feedback and this was seen in the fact that individuals were encouraged to finally come forward and seek help. 6 Teenagers are currently now been directed from addiction to recovery due to the power of exposing the truth about drugs in RSA. On the worship side, countless teenagers came forward to surrender their lives in to the care of the Lord and sought counsel from trained Kohin representatives. Lastly we have been invited back by the local church and Kohin to continue creating a godly influence and standard in the area. Thank You – Father