Creating Safe Spaces for Orphans and Vulnerable Children

The Christmas season is a time for goodwill and sharing. Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the festivities due to challenging circumstances. At Ammish Community Development, our primary goal is to create environments where orphans and vulnerable children feel safe, valued, and dignified. Our Christmas parties aim to make them feel loved and to share the goodwill of the festive season in a joyous manner.

The main purpose of our Christmas party is to create a space where Orphans and vulnerable children feel safe, important and dignified.

Masishaba Mlotshwa, Coordinator

2024 Christmas Celebrations

In 2024, we hosted Christmas celebrations for our beneficiaries at Ammish grounds in Soweto on December 1st and at Poloko in Mpumalanga on December 8th. These events were dedicated to orphans, disadvantaged, and vulnerable children. Over 200 presents were distributed to beneficiaries aged 2-17 years old during this giving season.

Gratitude to Our Generous Donors

We are deeply grateful to Andreas Selmeczi and friends across Europe, Philipp and Lilith from Germany, and Miss Pecks from Acudeo College for providing us with funds and donations. Their generosity profoundly blessed our beneficiaries. There are not enough words to express our gratitude. We pray that every person who took the time to make donations and funds reach us, and the beneficiaries from Soweto to Mpumalanga, are blessed for your generosity, love, and kindness.

Thank you so much for being a blessing to Ammish Community Development. Your support has made a significant impact on the lives of the children we serve. We look forward to continuing our mission with your invaluable assistance. Here are some pictures from the event:

Want to see what we have achieved the previous years?
– Christmas Archives

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Christmas is a yearly celebration marking Jesus Christ’s Birth. It is observed on the 25th of December as a cultural and religious celebration among a lot of people all over the world. It is a time that brings heart warmth: so let every Ammish Community Development beneficiary be joyous and take part in the giving.
Christmas is celebrated in different ways. This year Ammish Community Development celebrated early with issuing of shoe boxes packed with clothing items, stationery, toys, toiletry and goodies on the 25th November 2023. The distribution of Shoeboxes has been going on for 6 years as a culture to issue out presents to the disadvantaged, orphaned and vulnerable at Ammish Community Development.

The highlight is not only handing presents but also to think about those who won’t be having Christmas presents, we believe every child deserves a gift for Christmas.

Masishaba Mlotshwa

We managed to distribute +300 shoeboxes to different places in Naledi, White City Jabavu and Mpumalanga. It was an honour to be there for this amazing event dressed in Santa suit and be able to give away so much joy and happiness.

Thank You

The significance of this initiative goes beyond the act of gift-giving: it symbolizes a collective effort to ensure that every child, irrespective of their circumstances, experiences the magic and warmth of Christmas. It is a poignant reminder that the true essence of the season lies in fostering compassion, empathy, and solidarity. This year’s event was a resounding success, made possible by the dedicated efforts of many people.

That’s why I would like to extent a warm Thank You to all distinguished people and Ammish Community Development team for the preparations and packaging to make this day such a memorable one for the children.
I would like to thank Andreas and friends from Germany and Mr Sithole from Engen garage (Soweto) for their generous donations.
Last but not least: Big gratitude goes to Mrs Palesa Hlubi, Mrs Refilwe Motloung, Mrs Keamogetswe Makhaya, Mrs Manuella Jardin, Miss Bulelwa Mgemani, Miss Busi Mosiouwa and Miss Tlhalefang Matlhare for pledging and making this day a success.
As we bath in the warmth of the holiday season, let us carry the spirit of giving forward, creating lasting memories and sowing seeds of hope that will endure throughout the year. Merry Christmas to all, and may the joy of this season resonate in our hearts and communities alike.

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You have literally blown us away.

It a lovely day as we are approaching Christmas at Ammish Community Development. Thank you for choosing our Organization! Today we recognize our friends: On the 14th December 2022 “Miss Bacholeret South Africa” top 16 ( Tsakane) and One Heart Project (OHP) and Miss Koketso Lehabe (on the 20th December 2022) for donating grocery for our Orphans and beneficiaries at large at Ammish.

The passion and care of people like you keep us going, and we hope to make you proud how this food and sanitary pads to be distributed monthly to benefit local families and our beneficiaries who rely on your generosity so they can access nutritious food throughout.

“As the holiday seasons brings cash flowing to retail business, Non-Profits can get it only from the action of hands.”

— Masishaba Mlotshwa, Director

Thank you again for your support and kindness!

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Spreading joy from Soweto to Mpumalanga

Ammish Community Development once again is spreading joy among underprivileged children this Christmas. For all those who thought giving during this season is not real, Ammish proves otherwise. From buying, preparing to distributing gifts we have make it possible to be part of the initiative to spread smiles among underprevileged Children this Christmas from Soweto to Mpumalanga (Sun rise).

Life’s most persistent question is: “What are you doing for others?”

— Masishaba Mlotshwa, Director

The drive starts from October each year focusing with our beneficiaries, our number increases each year. 202 shoeboxes were prepared: 56 to Mpumalanga and 146 for Soweto beneficiaries. Again we came together to buy age appropriate toys, clothing items, toiletry, stationery and sweets (as you all know there is no Christmas without goody packs and clothing items) and packed them in lovely decorated empty shoeboxes.

A Thank You to all supporters

Our distribution was on the 11th December 2022 at five Roses Super Bowl at Mofolo Park.
“There is something about the story of the baby in the manger – The angel singing and the Christmas star shinning bright to guide the sheperds to the new born king – that fills us with hope and excitement.
The message of Christmas peace and goodwill towards all men reminds us that, no matter how bad things get, the world is still full of good people. Good people like Andreas and friends (who made this Christmas gifts possible), Mr Sithole (Engen garage corner Mphuthi and Elias Motsoaledi road helping with lunch preparations). It is you caring people who have made this day a success and possible.
And may this Christmas star shines down brightly on you and your loved ones, filling your lives with all you, love and laughter you give to others. Through your support we are reaching smiles of sad children , giving hope to the hopeless and touching hearts of those underprevileged.

Thank you so much for touching their hearts may God keep on Blessing all of you .

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On the 5th November from 9am to 14hrs we hosted a High tea party at KOL CAFE. Like 2021 we gathered women supported by their gentlemen who are entrepreneurs from different brands, beauty, hair products, fashion, wine testing, small businesses. They all came together promoting awareness in the name of fundraising for Ammish Community Development. This shall help to continue sustaining our programmes on the ground seeing that they are making a difference in the community at large. A make-up master class was also added to keep our guests engaged. They got to see and feel the products that they were encouraged to buy.

Speaker of the afternoon: Yvette Ratshikhopa

Yvette Ratshikhopa as our Guest Speaker, she is an award winning international life & leadership coach and Author. She gave a good lesson on healing from childhood/ past traumas,parenting, setting life goals and actioning/execute our visions and plans.

The main objective of this high tea, was to give Female entrepreneurs a chance to put their Name out there for a good cause/purpose in uplifting our beneficiaries for future outcomes because not everyone is academically gifted, we also need to consider our skills gifted one’s.

Impact and Outcome

The event made an impact, we achieved what we hoped for. Turnout was great as ladies and gentlemen came from all over soweto to support our initiative. Youth and young adults also actively supported the event.
And for those looking to recreate memorable sixties outfits still influencing fashion today: Our guests came in fancy dresses and suits that reminded us where we coming from way back. Sixties fashion never seem to go out of style whether you going on a party or costume party. They all came with few basic items, leaving accessories to imagination and creativity, with versatile costumes and unique memorable 2022 High Tea of its own kind. Thank you to all who participated and made the event a success!

Hosted by Masishaba Elizabeth Mlotshwa (Managing Director)
And Miss Keamogetswe Makhaya (planting a seed and giving back to AMMISH)

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On Mandela Day, South African citizens are encouraged to spend 67 minutes of their time in service to others in need. These 67 minutes are in appreciation of the 67 years that Nelson Mandela spent fighting for justice, equality, and human rights for all. This encompasses the years he worked as a human rights lawyer, the years he spent in prison, the years of his presidency, and the years after that when he remained an icon and example for international human rights.  

Keagometswe Makhaya chose to spend 67 Minutes with Ammish Community Development and celebrate her birthday with our beneficiaries. But let’s hear what she has to say:

“My name is Keamogetswe from White City.
I grew up in meadowlands under the guidance of my pertanal grandma, I lost both my parents while I was still in school. My mother, when I was 8 and my father when I was 16. I grew up depressed and bitter, but had no one to vent to. I was so young and did not understand why I was feeling like, I couldn’t put a name to my condition.

I ended up finding joy, happiness and a voice with my peers. The streets was were I could be free, I was an alcoholic and was introduced to drugs like weed, codeine syrup and pills. I’ve spent all my 20s in the streets with friends, celebrated my birthdays with friends and alcohol.

I was blessed with a daughter, that’s when I quit my life style. When I celebrated my 30th I chose to do something totally different, I was grateful to God that I am still alive. I reflected on the fact that my mother never reached 30, therefore it was a huge milestone.

I am grateful for the life I am living , I plan to help teenagers who are in the same situation and help them speak up about how they feel.

I chose Ammish center to celebrate my birthday with them. I was celebrating life and I wanted to teach them that life can be hard, but it is worth celebrating and giving back.

Keagometswe Makhaya

It felt so good seeing their smile and the gratitude in their eyes, it was very fulfilling. I look forward to re-visit the center more, since it’s near my house.”

Thank you very much for your words and your support with the kids!

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For most people Christmas time is about being with family, friends and sharing gifts. But especially the latter is no matter of course for many children here in our community. Many parents would love to delight their children during this special time, but don’t have the financial means to do so. With this post we are glad for an opportunity to send you some updates again and share a little joy. As always we must begin by thanking you and recognizing that without your support we would not do much.

Every year at Ammish Community Development , it is the children’s looks of joy and excitement that pushes us to organise another unforgettable Christmas party. It is the three bedroomed house that became a refuge, an Organisation called Ammish Community Development from 2016 to date. The home bears the name: “The Lord sees me and He is my provider”.

When we give we want to give in a dignified manner with memories to be captured by our beneficiaries. For most of them is their first time receiving gifts, because every year our numbers increase. That’s why for us it feels like a huge responsibility to start organising and asking for donations in a form of funds or other items needed to fill their shoeboxes. This year we were able to endow our kids with toys, toiletries, sweets, stationeries. The oldest got diaries, manicure sets, nail polish, musks and our youngest from grade R to 4 received bunny ears.

Our sponsors from Germany (Andreas and Friends) and Mr Sithole (local Engen garage) have expressed how giving have changed them:

When Orphans/ Disadvantaged feel left out, that kills their confidence, for me it is about being there for them.

Andreas S.

Andreas and his circle of friends have started sponsoring for the campaign 3years ago.

For 2021 your generosity has reached 270 children at Ammish.
Thank you so much!

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At the heart of gifting is a purpose. We give because we love,we care and appreciate others.

On the 3rd October 2021 Ammish was invited to walk with purpose. Our supporters gave from their heart-took time to walk to help raise funds for Breast cancer, were a gift pack was provided to the supporter to raise funds and awareness about Breast Cancer.

It was the 16th Avon Justine iThemba Walkerthon. Ammish took a walk at Emperor’s Palace with 50 participants encouraging women to go for regular breast screening and thereby potentially saving countless lives. Thank you to all who participated and thereby put this important topic high on the agenda. Here you can find pictures of last years walkathon.

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Every Human deserves access to fresh and healthy food – which is why at Ammish we are helping and ensuring that all Families can stay happy and healthy. 2020 was a year with great challenges like no other and many Sowetan’s are still recovering from the impacts of the pandemic. Tzu Chi foundation from Taiwan managed to help and ensure better food relief co-ordination in our Community so everyone had what they need.

At Ammish we have risen and recovered. On this day we managed to distribute 100 food parcels to 90 elderly and 10 childheaded households…Thank you Tzu Chi for the support in these times. We are looking forward to future cooperation.

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Dear Supporters and World,

On the 27th April 2021 Ammish Community Development hosted Amadodakazi Asebukhosini for our Teenagers (Celebrating the Beauty of a daughter) at Arthur Ash Tennis Hall at Central Western Jabavu in Soweto. Let us begin with the following scripture:

The Story of Amadodakazi Asebukhosini

The story behind the Event is to embrace our daughters from 9-17 years who attended the Event. Amatsitsi from Ukukhanya youth production together with Umama wezi Intombi (Older Zulu Women) from Zola township in Soweto were dancing and singing with pride for our girls. The Reed dance is an annual Event which aims to celebrate and unify nations as well as honouring nation virgin maidens. In light of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. This cultural practise hopes to curb this epidemic by promoting a culture of respect for young women

Who vow to remain virgins until marriage, it also fosters self-esteem, strengthens community, and provides a strong sense of cultural identity essential for Nation-building. It is all about teaching morals and good Behaviour to young girls. Also teaches young girls, who have to be virgins in order to participate about how yhey should act as grown women. As part of promoting Celibasy until marriage and the girl to respect their bodies.

This was a good opportunity to our School girls joining in traditional singing and dancing in their culture.
This kind of cultural Event such as Amadodakazi Asebukhosini for our Teenagers ussually takes place at royal residents of the Chief, with us it took place at our own Arthur AshTennis hall. Thank you to all people that participated, supported the event and of course our awesome girls!

Sponsor: CocaCola Beverages Africa

You may find also interesting:

• Ithemba Walkerthon for Breast Cancer awareness
• High Tea Party in Soweto
• Interview with director Masishaba Mlotshwa

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