Young people being engaged in positive activities with Uthando on the Cape Flats
Author: info@klassikdigital.co.za
During the month of May many communities across the Cape Flats were badly affected by an escalation in gang violence. It is a sad and tragic reality that so many people, and especially children, have to endure what appears to be a seemingly endless cycle
A shocking reality for many children living under the constant threat of gang violence (just 20 minutes from the Cape Town City centre). This photo taken on the 19th of May depicts school children hiding under their desks as gang violence rages outside of the school.
In light of the current events, we invited one of our proud Uthando partners, “Aunty” Avril Andrews to write a few words as the introduction to the May Newsletter. Avril lost her son, Alcardo, to gang violence in 2015. She said that before he was killed, her son had a dream of creating a peaceful and safe community without gangsterism. Avril founded the Alcardo Andrews Foundation in memory of her son’s dream, and she works tirelessly and courageously to fulfill that dream.
The foundation has four main pillars:
Moms Move for Justice – support mothers who have lost their children to gang violence.
Kids on a Mission – support young people and children who are in need of mentoring, tutoring, healing, support and a loving environment.
The Father’s Heart Programme – parenting training and support to the fathers of children who have experienced gang violence, crime and gender based violence.
Community Food Project – providing food for up to 600 people per day.
Uthando has had the great privilege to work with and support the Alcardo Andrews Foundation since April 2020. Meeting Avril and her team was infact one of the silver linings to come out of the Covid-19 crisis.
“Aunty” Avril Andrews wrote the following note to be included in the introduction this month’s newsletter :
There is much power in partnership and for that I am so grateful to Uthando SA and the friends and supporters of Uthando.
We will never stop dreaming of a better future for the people of Hanover Park, and the Cape Flats. Love and light will always win in the end.
Our journey with Uthando South Africa has been a blessed one, the relationship goes beyond just support, it is about connection, community and love.
The kitchen container financed by Uthando and friends of Uthando is now really the centre of many of our activities. The kitchen has recently been fully renovated and will enable us to provide over 600 meals per day to people that are destitute.
Thank you Uthando South Africa for your continuous support to the Alcardo Andrews Foundation, we love and appreciate you.
Avril Andrews
As “Team Uthando” we are remarkably proud of community projects such as The Alcardo Andrews Foundation, who are a bright light of hope in their community. You can read more about their work on the website www.alcardoandrewsfoundation.com