Festive Greetings & Christmas Wishes!

It is that time of the year again for a well earned break.  It is also a time of reflection.  With sincere gratitude we think of those who have helped us along the way and we rejoice the successes that have furthered our cause.  We are also however sadly reminded of the challenges we have faced in 2011 that, due to lack of financial sustainability, is prompting potential closure.

As we look ahead to 2012, we sincerely wish, and desperately hope, to see REACH in full fruition again.  We will try our very best but also hope that you can play a part—be it through organizing fundraising events for us or donations how ever big or small are gladly welcomed.  Together we can achieve this dream for the greater good of the many women out there who are in need of reprieve from gender based violence. 

Wishing you all a wonderful festive season.  May 2012 bring you all love, peace and joy!

Claudia & the REACH team

Turning the Tide on Gender Based Violence

REACH is featured in the best practice video by our funder and project partner SAfAIDS based on the project that REACH supported in implementing between 2009 and 2010 called Changing the Rivers Flow. At four minutes into the video, Interim Director of REACH, Claudia Lopes, and one of REACH's community based volunteers, Xola Hlaliso, share how the project made a difference in the community of Mbekweni, Paarl.

Read more: REACH featured in SAfAIDS best practice video

Protection from Harassment Bill passed

In October 2010 REACH participated in the public hearings held by the Department of Justice & Constitutional Development.  In partnership with the Women's Legal Centre REACH submitted a report and was invited to present our submission at the hearings.  The Protection from Harassment Bill has now been passed by the National Council of Provinces. The bill is being submitted to President for assent.

Read more: Protection from Harassment Bill passed

Mbekweni Unite project Videos part 1 & 2

From June to August 2011 REACH held a campaign to inspire community members of Mbekweni township to stand up for the rights of their community. The campaign included 3 events commencing on Youth Day where participants were able to dialogue about the problems most affecting their community and how they could see themselves playing a role (pledging) to fight these.  We share here part 1 (interviews with community members) and 2 (part 1 of 2 parts of the a play that facilitated discussion with the audience).

Read more: Mbekweni Unite against Abuse video part 1 and 2

We have a winner!

Using competition draw software called The Hat from Harmony Hollow Software, we have a winner from a list of 75 competition entrees.  Congratulations to Mrs. Ingrid Jurgens (on her 7th entree) for winning the Women's Month Spur competition! We hope you enjoy the R300 voucher from Spur to be enjoyed at any branch.   

Many, many thanks to all who supported REACH.  You are all winners for playing a role in making positive change a reality for many women facing abuse!

Happy picture of competition winner!

Very pleased to have handed over the R300 vouchers from Spur to the competition winner, Ingrid Jurgens.  Ingrid says:  "Thanks REACH for the voucher I won from Spur absolutely fab....I am however going to pass them on to a friend who is currently struggling financially".  Have since heard that the person who Ingrid selflessly donated the vouchers to was ecstatic (as we can imagine).  Hat's off to you Ingrid - you are a truly special person!

Thank you Spur once again!