The Past belongs to the Past – now to a bright new Dawn

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I was browsing through a few of my articles when came across the piece I wrote on ‘a half a loaf is better than none’. I realized that to live in the past is such a negative outlook on life, when the future is as bright as a new day dawning.
In the new South Africa this is certainly the case. To date not any of the promises are fully delivered and if one has to speculate I don’t think in my life time it will be, but what about tomorrow. Shack dwelling is still the order of the day, therefore running water and sanitary is still a far way off. Schooling has improved, to the extant that most children attend and there are many more opportunities available to those showing potential.
Unemployment is so noticeable that when I was driving through a poorer area one could identify the state of that community. It is sad to see grown men and women walking the streets or just chatting to one another to pass the time of day. Children playing on the side walk with little to look forward to. Jesus said that we would always have the poor with us, so it does not surprise me when people live in such poverty-stricken areas. We still have the few who want to climb out of their circumstances, so that they too my face a brighter future.
Let us teach the people how to fish and not to get handouts. The question is how many of us are prepared to teach, both moral and social standards are in great demand. I believe that there are many such people that are prepared to give their time and would dedicate themselves to educate such people. It brings to mind the area that I passed though, people with nothing to do, nowhere to go and little to occupy or simulate them. I am sure that you know that with these conditions, crime and abuse are common place. The amount of sexual abuse to both young and old are horrific. Very few cases get reported and few to go court. With HIV/aids we seem to have a number of rape cases which involve babies, this is due to so called ‘witch doctors’ telling people that this will cure their condition.
In this area there is a community centre that has not been used for years, it was used under the old government as a community sport centre. In the greater Johannesburg area, especially in the older suburbs you find quite a few of these centers. In the old days they were financed by the municipalities and run very well indeed. Today most stand empty or have been rented out to various businesses which now do not serve the community.
“I have a dream” and it is to regenerate these community centers to their former function and to add to them so that it would once again will be there to serve and educate the local community. But dreams are dreams and the reality is that to do this it will cost both time and a great deal of money. Time, which both my wife and I are prepared to offer. Our talents, which include my business experience and my wife who was involved in the restaurant /catering industry for many years with the help of our Lord, will ensure success. I am sure this will help to make this dream come true. I have faith there is somebody who is ready and waiting to offer the support which is needed to uplift a down trodden community.
Children go to school with no breakfast, men and women don’t know how to get a job or don’t have the basic computer skills. Others are raped and have no one to turn to, some don’t know the first thing of personal hygiene. The list goes on and on, some have never played in organized sport in their lives before.
I know it is a dream but as strong as my faith is in God, I know there is the same faith in someone who wants to help and is in the position to do so.
I look forward to meet and work with you.
God Bless