MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

You Are Heard

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The PE Childline and Family Centre was established in 1917 and over the years aligned themselves with various national bodies. Following a disaffiliation from two national bodies a need was identified for a new identity, hence the birth of Uviwe (You are Heard).

Uviwe
Uviwe

The new name was initially proposed during an internal competition by two staff members as Usana Luviwe (child you are heard) and after a period of consultation the new name Uviwe Child and Youth Services (Uviwe) was chosen.

The colours and logo are certainly more ‘child friendly’ thanks to some hard work by Warren Upton and Matthew Swarbrick of Strategy Advertising.

The new look and branding was presented this morning at the Ron Belling Art Gallery.

Now one would expect people who work with abused children to carry the scars of the horrific scenes that they see – not this bunch, though, each one emphasised the joy of making a positive difference despite the sad images we were presented with of children beaten, abused and raped. Each of the 90 staff deserve a medal for their attitudes of joy – I know that I would not stand for the abuse and would be thrown into jail for taking the law into my own hands.

As Director of Uviwe, Anna-Louise Olivier talking about the wonderful work that her staff do said; “It’s about what you carry in your heart that makes the difference.”

There are 700 children in the Uviwe Feeding programme.

What was nice to see was a youngster involved on the Uviwe Board in the person of Koko July, who also boasts a position as the South African National Youth Ambassador of Parliament. Koko highlighted that as an NGO Uviwe is constantly on the lookout for support to carry on their work which has a focus on breaking the cycle of abuse – no mean task when one see the areas like Vastrap in which they work. Koko and the Board, headed by Okkie Steyn, have an unenviable task ahead of them as they enter a very competitive sphere for donor funds.

Uviwe Social Auxillary Worker, Ethel Fonqo, said it best in the final line of her song this morning; “We will always strive to give them love and hope”.

Click HERE to contact Uviwe.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.