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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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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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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the article is a bit late this time, but our last big event was just on time. We’re talking about the christmas surprise for our beneficiaries. Actually this is getting more and more a regular thing at Ammish. If you want to know how it all started take a look back to 2018. 

A special day for our kids

At Ammish we believe that all our beneficiaries are exceptional in their own way amd it is important to show them our respect and appreciation.  That’s why this year we prepared a little pavilion to be able to hand over the presents personally and with an official touch. Each child got a selection of toys, sweets, toiletries and school materials suitable for its age. While it wasn’t their turn to be gifted they could play around the yard, were offered skin painting or could use the jumping castle errected outside. We see our mission not only in presenting the kids with short-lived fun articles, but also in supporting them with dayly needs to have a lasting impact on their lives.

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let me tell you another story about our community. Recently Africa Day was hosted by Ammish – initially in our calender it was supposed to be celebrated by the 22nd of May each year, but with us at Ammish it is everyday. It is a day where as Africans we need to go back to our roots and wear our African traditional wear from different cultures and pride ourselves in that. We didn’t choose gender as everyone was invited to buy a ticket and take part in the event…The contributed money is going to go towards children Christmas presents.

This is an important day because we are taking ourselves back to where we come from, how our parents taught us and we should pass that knowledge to our children. We have to teach them our backrounds and bring back the spirit of Ubuntu

Masishaba Mlotshwa

Surprise for the best dressed

People came in large numbers and we had 3 categories for the best dressed traditional wear, but it was a surprise to our audiences… supported males(Men’s toiletry bags) and supported youth(received toiletry bags with accessories inside) and our Grannys received 3 Items each. The 1st prize was s Calabash, 2 nd prize Icantsi(Zulu mat), 3rd prize a fancy Broom.

Open the curtain

But how could we have an event without entertainment , motivational speakers and the word of God? Of course not! So we had everything set up, because we cannot plan or start an Event without connecting to God… One of our programme items was a poem shared by the lovely Lesedi. We don’t want to withhold it from you, so here you go:

A poem for Africa Day

This day was celebrated to remind us about who we are, we have forgotten about our cultures.
Elders please lead us as an African child about where did I go wrong.
We need to acknowledge our culture and Ubuntu – because it takes a village to raise a child.
Who are we, where are we coming.
Where is the African Black Child, we are a lost generation.
It takes a village to raise a child but today its mind your own Business…

Elders please lead us…we need you to hold our hands and show us the way…We cannot do this without blessings from our elders…Today we are dying at a tender age…where are you Africans…

Africa my beginning,
Africa my land
Rise and Shine Africa
Africa my Heritage
Africa my Pride
Where is Africa
Help me Africa
I’m still a child Africa
Africa my mother land. 
They tried to brain-wash me
I am still still an African
Blood runs into my veins
I’m an African
I pride myself with Africa, my land , my beggining
Africa continua
Strength is ours

Ilizwe elethu!

Read more about Ammish:

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Dear readers,

guess what is on 1st of June?! You’re right, it’s mothers day for Ammish! Ok, maybe you’ve noticed our cheating: Of course most people celebrated on the 12th of May. But for us that is not a reason not to change the date – such an important day has to be well prepared… And that is what we did.

Our event-location for the day – the methodist youth center – was kindly provided by Bishop Paul Verryn. May you be blessed for your support. The hall was perfect to accommodate more than 130 women and our performing kids. Because what would be mother’s day if there were no children to bestow and honor them. 

But we started this special day with some warm words and an opening prayer by Pastor Thabiso Motsepe. Mr. Jabulani Sithole, responsible programme director, led through the packed agenda of the event. But first things first, the days motto was:

Join us to celebrate our irreplaceable, wise,powerful,selfless,courageous and strong minded Mothers

And they really got celebrated, that’s for sure. During the last weeks our beneficiaries used their time to rehearse songs and poems and finally gave their best during the performances. To keep spirits high we garnished the agenda with little motivational inputs. Our mothers listened to words from Miss Rebecca Masilo and Mrs Mmarona Motsepe to name only two. After the vote of thanks from Ammishs director Mrs Masishaba Mlotshwa all participants were looking forward to a nice and nourishing lunch.

A big thank you goes to everyone who supported this special day for our beloved mothers. Here we want to mention Dr Kopedi and Dr Molefi who donated face cloths and bath soaps. A special greeting goes to our german friend Andreas who generously donated for fluffy fleece blankets to keep the woman warm during winter!

If you also want to help with our cause you can do that fast and easily through payfast:

Learn more about Ammish:

https://ammish.org/about/

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Do you remember our christmas shoebox campaign? In August we started building partnerships with local companies and private donors to bring a christmas surprise to our children. Finally, in December, the work was done!

With the help of many volunteers from AMMISH and our wonderful partners we prepared Meadowlands Zone 3 Hall (Bapedi) for the special event. On arrival the kids were stunned to find huge jumping castles, delicious meals and even comedians from EMS Crew for their entertainment. You should have seen those sparkling eyes!

To make an even greater impact in our community we also invited 100 Gogo’s to join us and the kids. For AMMISH it is very important to involve all ages in our programmes to strengthen solidarity and support in the society. Grandmas are the pillars of our families – everything that benefits them will be forwarded to us through their love and care.

After some speeches, food (KFC for the kids and professional catering for the older ones) and entertainment we eventually started distributing the presents. To be fair all children got the same items – clothes in different sizes of course. Everyone was gifted a pair of shoes, stationary, a new attire (trousers and t-shirts) and some nice, tasty Simba Chips to make them happy. All content was chosen to be useful and sustainable (ok, forget about the Chips ), because we want our interventions to have a long lasting effect. To also reach the most needy families in our community all gogo’s were given food parcels and warm blankets to bring home.

All in all we are drawing a very positive conclusion regarding our christmas event. It was a lot of work, but led to many joyful children and consolidated the bond between the community and AMMISH as an organization. Nevertheless we were hoping to be able to delight even more of our beneficiaries – which are more than 3500 at present. But we had to realize the difficulties of organizing such a big event and finding enough partners and voluntary support. Well, we are experienced now and will never give up or stop learning. Next time, we are even better prepared!

THANK YOU

All this would not have been possible without the active support of our friends and partners. A big thank you goes to Mr. Michael Sun, MMC for public safety at the city of Joburg. Host and funder of the whole event was Mrs. Li Potgieter from China South Africa Health Foundation, we’re so greatful for your aid! Mrs. Ouma Morodi and Mr. Tsediso Monareng represented JMPD at our event – how could you feels safer than in their presence? The mascot and the people from EMS crew made this special day a great deal funnier, you were awesome :). Last but not least we want to send a special thank you to our German friend Tabea (and all her supporters) who spared no effort and did a lot of fundraising thousands of kilometres away. And of course: Thank you AMMISH Staff, you carry this organization every day!

May you all be blessed!

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Big news for Christmas 2018: We are starting our own Santa Campaign

Edit: See how our campaign went.

In 2018 we applied for Santa Shoebox again as we did in 2017 successfully. Short info: Santa Shoebox is an organization which collects shoeboxes with presents from individuals and gives them to children in need. Last year we only asked for 500 boxes and got 700 pieces. In 2018 we hoped to get 3500, because our numbers of children expanded so incredibly fast. Unfortunately, Santa Shoebox didn’t have the capacities to supply us this year  . But we want our children to be happy during Christmas time…

That’s why we will be our own Santa this year!

Together with many corporate partners in Soweto and surroundings we want to stem this challenge and prepare 3500 present boxes to make this Christmas really special for all our beneficiaries. That is why we need your help! 

There are three major aspects where we need support:

• donations of the boxes content
• help with packing boxes
• financial support to compensate gaps in content supply

How does it work?

1. Companies and big donors are asked to take part in our Christmas Shoebox Survey: ammish.org/christmas-shoeboxes (in the survey we will ask questions on how you can support us). Private donors please read the FAQ at the bottom   .
2. We will evaluate the results and make a plan about who is responsible for what
3. We will contact our parners and tell them exactly what they can do to help (within their capabilities)
4. All boxes will be compiled, packed (in a big community event) and stored until the end of November
5. We will distribute the boxes to our children

FAQ’s

Can I support you as a private donor?

Yes you can and we appreciate your help a lot. Please use the information provided in the donations box at the bottom of the page. If you want to volunteer and help you can also contact us through: ammish.org/contact.

When will we hear back from AMMISH?

We will collect all the information from different partners and make a plan who will cover which gender and age group. As soon as we are done with that we will tell you exactly what we need from you.

When should we have our items ready at the latest?

Ammish needs all the items at the end of October. If you’re faster – awesome!

How can we contact AMMISH if further questions arise?

You can use the contact information on our contact page: ammish.org/contact.

Can we receive a tax deductible donation receipt?

Yes of course you can! We are an acknowledged NPO and can issue donation receipts. Please write a separate email after your donation that we can issue your receipt.

We have chosen to pack boxes ourselves, can you tell us the approximate value of the items?

All items together should be around R250 upwards to insure the quality and fairness of the presents.

Will my company benefit from this campaign?

We hope that the good cause of the campaign is enough reward for you. But of course, every partner will be credited on our website, social media and in the newspapers.

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