Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. ~Dr. Seuss
I was very tempted to make the heading of this Blog: “Say No Ways am I taking ONLY Cupcakes!” Consider it the unofficial heading, I will explain:
Hout Bay has over 70 NGO’s & NPO’s to date. During the months whilst the re-build of Tintswalo Atlantic is on-going we have been given the eye-opening opportunity to become involved with some of these unrelenting care givers and their organisations. With each interaction comes a new experience, paired with, often harsh realisations.
It was during an engaging conversation with an extremely outspoken and experienced founder of one of these NGO’s I was told in the simplest of terms: “a hug and a cupcake is not sustainable!” Thinking back a few months before to our delivery of cupcakes (and hugs of course) to a local children’s educare centre I felt my cheeks get warm as I began to blush.
Although the comment hurt, one cannot doubt that it is in fact the truth. I could do little less than respect the reality and take her wise words on board in order to do things better next time.
A couple of weeks ago we heard, through social media, that another Hout Bay NPO, called CARES, was planning to invite 50 Seniors from both the Imizamo Yethu and Hangberg communities to a special event, which would include some pampering for the older folk.
CARES is a community development project in Hout Bay, aiming to address the challenges faced by Hangberg’s residents living in the midst of an escalating drug crisis. The project primarily targets individuals and families affected by alcohol and drug related harms through treatment, education about dependency and addiction disorders and lifestyle education. In the short time since its inception the project already has 108 residents on its intensive outpatient programme. The biweekly drug tests show a success rate of 81% who are now living drug-free.
CARES was planning a well-deserved Pamper Day as a token of appreciation for the Senior Community of the 2 communities. The day was to be conducted by all the recovered drug abusers and CARES workers from the organization. We heard they were requesting contributions of creams, socks and various items in order to make the Spa Pamper day possible.
Permission was granted from Tintswalo head office to donate lightly used hotel slippers as well as hotel amenities which had escaped the hotel fire, but could no longer be used once rebuilt.
BUT, remembering the “cupcake concept” we tried to think of ways to give back something a little more sustainable than these material things.
We discussed with CARES how #TeamTintswalo could further be of assistance by actually getting hands-on involved. Organizers Daphne & Zulfa asked if we perhaps had a massage therapist who could assist in setting up a spa day for some local community senior citizens.
Now, those of you who have experienced Tintswalo Atlantic will know that we do not have a spa as such. In order to offer this service to our guests we partner with the most wonderful spa therapists from Beauty Direct. Their forte is bringing the Spa Experience to any location of your choice. Zelda and Theresa, who are business partners, just have a magical way of transforming a room into an oasis of tranquility, rejuvenation and pampering.
When we approached Zelda to ask if they would like to donate their time and expertise, she did not hesitate to agree. Theresa volunteered her time and came to Hout Bay one day prior to the Spa Day to conduct a workshop with the CARES candidates, as well as volunteers from Tintswalo Housekeeping and Butler Team. Theresa was able to engage the group in a fun workshop giving them confidence and valuable skills for the next day’s event, and by the end of the day, both CARES and Tintswalo trainees were ready to give massages.
(A HUGE thank you to Theresa & Zelda, who are both true professionals and an absolute pleasure to work with!)
The Spa Day was a great success. It took place in the Community Civic Centre above the Harbour, with three areas set up for foot massages, hand massages as well as head, neck & shoulder massages. It was wonderful to feel a wave of calm and caring love wash over the space we could feel the appreciation from the Senior Citizens in attendance. We also loved to see the pride and excitement that the CARES Group showed whilst conducting the pamper session for all to enjoy.
The volunteers from #TeamTIntswalo: Nosi, Nomvuyo, Nancy, Jabu, Enoch & Neliswa all said they enjoyed the feeling of giving attention and showing care to the seniors and also enjoying the time spent with the CARES Team. When we give back, we help others and ourselves.
But the real music to my ears was on the way back to Tintswalo Atlantic the Team said: “So what will our next community participation be?”
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