This weekend the Breathe Sunshine Foundation ran their fist project at the Al Noor Orphanage centre in Woodstock. The project was supported by the Round Table and saw an energetic Breathe Sunshine team and volunteers spending the day painting the outside of the building, clearing the grounds of rubble and unused waste and donating a new toolbox.
The orphanage cares for orphaned and disadvantaged children, whose parents are either infected and or affected by the widespread HIV/AIDS pandemic. The centre looks after 35 children between the ages of 8 – 16 years who live on the property and supports a further 54 through an outreach program. They also offer skills development projects that cover sewing, baking, beadwork, gardening, computer literacy and arts and craft.
Executive Director of the Orphanage, Amina Mankaa Madien says: “It’s been inspiring to have the foundation here, they have really gotten involved with the orphanage and the children and the work they have done will have a very positive impact on all of us”.
The Breathe Sunshine Foundation is a non-profit concept organization that runs on solid commercial business principles. They create lifestyle projects and brands that give businesses the opportunity to work with an ethical focus. They believe in building long-term sustainable communities through responsible business practice.
The foundation is the brainchild of South African artist Trenton Birch and is run with long time friends and fellow South Africans John Medupe and Greg Viljoen. Through fundraising events and donations they raise money to work with orphanages, schools and community centers in South Africa’s previously disadvantaged communities. They believe education is the key to tackling poverty, which will ultimately lead to a reduction in crime and violence.
The foundation also run weekly fundraising events called the Breathe Sunshine Sessions that feature top name DJ’s, percussionists, guitarists and live artists. After several months at Hoodwinx in Woodstock the sessions are about to launch for summer season at Barocca in Camps bay. They showcase an eclectic mix of music aimed at open-minded individuals who are looking for something a little different to what else is on offer in Camps Bay.
Mix n Blend and Trenton and Free Radical will be playing the launch on November 5th. For more details go to www.breathesunshine.org or contact Trenton or Greg.
The Al Noor Orphanage would also like to appeal to the community for Christmas gifts for the kids. They can be contacted on alnoororphanagecentre@yahoo.
