South Africa

South Africa - a beautiful, vibrant and diverse country with a history of internal conflict and division but also a place of powerful transformation and new beginnings. The country’s peaceful transition to democracy in 1994 was a time of great celebration. Now in its second decade of democratic rule, many things in South Africa have changed for the better. For example, there is freedom of association, freedom of movement, a representative government, economic growth, peace and stability. However, millions of people are still living in very difficult circumstances, struggling amidst, amongst other things, high levels of poverty, crime, drug abuse, unemployment, HIV/AIDS, family and community breakdown.

Many of the problems we face have their roots in past colonial and apartheid policies. Changing the social and economic landscape is a complex and slow process. Government obviously has a leading role to play, as does the business sector. However it is Christians who are uniquely placed at grassroots level to provide immediate compassionate care and stimulate long term transformation in communities. As South African Christians, many of us hear the words of the prophet Micah: “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

Over the past few years I have had the privilege of developing relationship with the team of New Day…modern day heroes in my eyes!!!

NewDay, a non-profit organisation based in Cape Town, is helping people to respond to the call in this verse. NewDay believes in the potential of the church and Christians in South Africa to respond to the needs in their own communities and to act as catalysts of Godly transformation.

However it is unfortunately too often the case that a lack of developmental understanding and organisational skills and systems results in initiatives failing to attract the necessary resources or have the envisioned impact. The people who run these initiatives risk burnout, disappointment and frustration. Well intentioned but poorly designed responses are sometimes only relief focused and fail to empower and address root causes. Projects and organisations are established and function in isolation from one another, and the relationship with local churches is often unclear. Donors don't always know if their contributions have achieved the intended results. In all of this, it is people in need who may continue to suffer unnecessarily or even be harmed.

NewDay has identified a need for Godly standards to be raised within NGO’s and local churches involved in community transformation. At the same time, the people working for transformation are in need of understanding and care as they tackle complex and often deeply disturbing social issues under difficult circumstances. Working with NGO’s and local churches, NewDay provides:

• facilitation
• training
• organisational support services
• spiritual care and prayer
• and enables linking and dialogue.

They work across denominations seeking to build unity and partnerships between Christians.

The organisations with whom they work are involved with the following groups:

• People infected and affected by HIV and AIDS
• Orphans and vulnerable children
• People in prison and those who have recently been released from prison
• Women facing a pregnancy related crisis
• At risk youth
• Street children
• People seeking economic empowerment
• Women seeking to come out of prostitution
• People seeking to break with drug and alcohol addiction

If you would like to know more about the work of NewDay and their partner organisations, please see www.newday.org.za or contact Deborah@newday.org.za. or you would like to receive their prayer letter and support them in prayer, please send an email to prayer@newday.org.za.