Dear Refilwe Partner

Below is a letter of Abel, one of the persons on our skills development program, to Claire who is the Refilwe Health and Welfare program manager. I asked his permission to send it to you.

Abel has been involved with Refilwe for 4 years. Presently he is completing our adult literacy program level 4, had completed the ACAT training (basic life skills and entrepreneurial skill training) in 2008 and this year he is doing a learnership program to become a construction machine operator. Before Abel became literate he was regarded as "dumb/stupid" by the members in his community and by some of his equals. During the literacy training we discovered he is highly intelligent and is able to converse in any of 8 languages. Abel took over the peanut business last year from Refilwe. It is now his business and with dedication he is becoming more successful. He is selling his peanut butter at R15/250g - for orders please contact him directly at 0764542082 or place an order with Hope at 0824091758.

Abel is one of the 120 adults of who are part of our ACAT and Skills building programs. He embraces all opportunities given to him, is becoming more self-reliant and is taking responsibility for his own development.

Thank you for the investment and part you / your organization is playing in the development of people who are affected by the social problems we experience in South Africa. Thank you for supporting our work at Refilwe!

Warm regards,

Annatjie Cilliers



Since the beginning of the learnership Refilwe had been supporting me and I thank you for being my manager in the Home Basic Care. Also about the business, you’ve been helpful, encouraging and thank you.
I decided to be partners with Hope, soon she’ll be signing up being a share holder in Peanut Butter Africa. She’ll be Marketing Director.

Protech decided taking 4 people from the learnership and I am one of them. These people will be assessed on sight as operators. They will be assessed if they are fit enough to be on sight.

So Clare, today I’m gonna be signing a new contract, but I am willing to have a new partner to help me with Peanut Butter Africa. Clare, you always said, we should not cling or rely much on Refilwe and Refilwe was just a stepping stone or rather pushing us ahead, I agree. Please understand, I still hope for your encouragement in the business.

Abel (Peanut Butter Africa) 16.9.09



Dear Friends,

My name is Yonela and I am a 17 year old girl. I'm from Refilwe and that's been my home for the past 8 years. I was abused by someone I loved and trusted and I had to move away from home. There was no where I could go because my mother had no stable place to stay. I had to come to Refilwe because it was the only safe place for me to stay. My first few weeks were hard but then I met people like my dad (Jaco) who were ready to listen and care for me.

As time went on I saw that there was no other place that's safer than Refilwe because it's not only a home but it's the only place that you can stay in and not have to watch your back or be worried about what you going to eat. What is really special about Refilwe for me is that even though they have helped so many people they never get tired of anyone coming to say "I need help".

For this is my home - there is no other place I'd rather be, my needs are cared for and my future comes first to me and my family at Refilwe.

– Yonela

Pictures:

• Yonela (JPG)

Attachments:

• Abel's Letter (PDF)