POLISH AWARD
The Denis Hurley Centre recently received the prestigious Sergio Vieira de Mello Award from the Villa Decius Association in Krakow, Poland, in recognition of our “advancing the peaceful coexistence of societies, religions and cultures.” We were nominated by the former Polish Ambassador to South Africa, Mr Marcin Kubiak, now Deputy Minister of Rural Development in the Polish Cabinet.
Fr Stephen Tully and Paddy Kearney had all expenses paid for their visit to Krakow to receive the prize on behalf of the DHC and also to do a study tour which included visits to a new centre for homeless people in Krakow, a pilgrimage to the extermination camp at Auschwitz, and a walking tour of the historic centre of Krakow.
The prize included a donation of R 31,226 to the DHC.
(Pic – Greg Hayhoe, GVK )
BUILDING PROGRESS
As you can see from the photo, progress is now being made above ground – after some weeks of work on pile driving, excavating for the basement and laying the foundations – some of the columns of the ground floor are now in place. Spring rains which are in all other respects most welcome are not helpful to the builders as they lead to delays.
Recent visitors to the site have included major donors, Misereor from Germany and Stichting Porticus from the Netherlands.
Members of the “think tank” which is working on a strategic plan for the Denis Hurley Centre’s first three years, look at the Centre’s precinct Pic. : Jean‐Marie Ntamubano
STRATEGIC PLANNING
At the same time as construction is moving ahead, we are making progress in another way. A group of fifteen key role players is meeting every two months over the next year to put together a strategic plan for the centre’s first three years, 2015 ‐ 2017. Key issues are sustainability, staffing, furniture and equipment, and ensuring that the Centre is welcoming to people of all races, nationalities and religions and that its projects remain relevant and cutting edge. The group which is ably facilitated by Fathima Osman, had its first meeting on 28 September. If you have any suggestions for this “Think Tank”, please pass them on to the secretary, Lungelo Mncwabe 082 2965922, lungelo.mncwa@gmail.com
OLD MUTUAL SUPPORTS NKOSINATHI PROJECT
The Old Mutual encourages all their staff to do volunteer work with charitable NGOs.
Lisa Pillay has taken this very seriously and is currently doing voluntary work for the Nkosinathi Project which provides hot meals, showers and clean clothes for homeless people. Lisa was recently given an Old Mutual Voluntarism Award for her dedicated work for the Nkosinathi Project. We congratulate and thank her for her great enthusiasm and support for Nkosinathi. In the photo you see Lisa with (from left), the chief volunteer, Tracy Bolt, who is herself a former homeless person, together with our two oldest volunteers, Ruth Minor who is 87 and Garlie Allen, who is 84! We salute their remarkable commitment to the Nkosinathi project.
