Common Good

Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo! You strike a woman, you strike a rock. Women’s Day, commemorated on the 9th of August, marks the anniversary of the 1956 march of 20 000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria. That day, they protested the country’s pass laws that served to maintain segregation, control urbanisation, and manage migrant labour during the apartheid era. Today there are many critical issues that affect women and inhibit their freedom, or compromise their safety, from gender based violence to unequal pay. Women’s Day is a critical moment and opportunity for discussion around these issues. With this in mind, Common Good have developed resources for the whole family to engage on the subject, including a short video, some background reading and an activity page to print and colour in with the little people among us. Find the resources at the link in our bio. 💚

Last week, Richard, our Early Life Lead, shared at the Development of Health and Wellness's Breastfeeding Conference last week about the importance of Fatherhood in the First Thousand Days. It is such a privilege to partner- and connect with others in this space! Thanks for the opportunity Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness ☺️

The Common Good Early Life team (Sikunye) is looking to employ a part-time Project Manager. Sikunye focuses on inspiring, equipping, and supporting churches in caring for families with children in their first thousand days of life (from conception to two years). As the Project Manager, you will be a vital bridge between the Programme Lead, team members, and internal and external stakeholders. Your role is to ensure high levels of communication and collaboration within the Early Life Programme. You will oversee and coordinate people and processes to ensure projects, events, and workshops are delivered on time and achieve the desired results.

Download the Full Job Description here: https://www.commongood.org.za/careers/

The Common Good Early Life team (Sikunye) is looking to employ a dynamic, mission-aligned Trainer. Sikunye focuses on inspiring, equipping, and supporting churches in caring for families with children in their first thousand days of life (from conception to two years). The Trainer role is a new position that provides training and facilitation on a wide range of content in the Early Life space, with a focus on delivering Sikunye’s Fatherhood and the First Thousand Days course. Training will be conducted through various platforms, including in-person sessions, online modules, and WhatsApp-based journeys. The Trainer will connect with Churches and Communities across South Africa and is expected to travel up to six times annually and more regularly within the Cape Town area.

Download the Full Job Description here: https://www.commongood.org.za/careers/

We are so grateful to the team from Mukuru Cares for spending their 67 minutes in celebration of Mandela Day making beautiful activity booklets for the Grade RR/R class of Disa Primary that will help prepare them for Grade 1 and have fun while doing it! We also want to say a huge thank you to Stephanie Makhlouf from forgood for connecting us. 💚

Join Common Good as the Education Deputy Programme Director and help transform South Africa’s public school system! We're seeking a dynamic leader skilled in fostering innovation, providing leadership, and nurturing relationships.

For seven years, Common Good has partnered with the WCED to uplift non-fee-paying schools. We believe in collaboration between government, private funders, and civil society to help South African learners reach their potential.

If you're passionate about driving school-level transformations, we want you! We seek leaders with humility and a collaborative spirit, capable of partnering with other change agents. You'll have the opportunity to empower leaders, teachers, parents, and learners. If you have a wealth of experience in leading exceptional public schools, join our visionary team and make a real difference in education!

Here's the link to download the full Job Profile and Application Requirements:https://www.commongood.org.za/wp-content/uploads/Deputy-Education-Programme-Director.pdf

Applications are due on the 7th of June 2024.

Are you interested in lending a hand or supporting the rescue services on the ground in George currently? Respond Coalition has connected with us regarding the George building collapse incident and their strategy for supporting those on the ground, including the incredible emergency services working tirelessly to rescue the remaining workers who are trapped. Read the communication received above from Respond Coalition and learn how you can get involved in supporting these efforts.

Interested in lending a hand following the recent storm, winds, and fires in Cape Town but uncertain about how? Take a look at the slides detailing immediate needs and drop-off locations offered by the RESPOND coalition.

If you know of any other organisations currently providing relief for these needs, please message us, and we can add them to the list!

Did you know that you can support 3 causes with just one card? Have you ever considered swiping a card to make a difference? You can have up to 3 beneficiaries on your card and we want to encourage you to add Common Good as one of them - so you can keep supporting your school, plus another cause and Common Good - all at once! 💚

🖐️ So what are you waiting for? Let’s get swiping for GOOD!
🙌 Add us as a beneficiary via your profile login on the MySchool site.

We are running a Job Journey Work Readiness course for 18 - 31 year old's, starting 27th February at 8:30am (21 Nelson Road, Observatory). If you are interested in creating your own CV, understanding the workplace & planning for your future, come join us 🙌 Register here: https://bit.ly/JobJourneyCourse27Feb2024

🌟 Make Your Donation Count! 🌟 Invest in Sustainable Change with Common Good!

Your donation to Common Good is much more than a contribution to a charitable cause; it's an investment in sustainable change. As a registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO), your donation is fully tax-deductible. This offers you a meaningful way to maximize your impact while optimizing your tax benefits before the end of the 2024 financial year.

🌈 Why Common Good?

We nurture potential, restore hope, create opportunities, and transform thousands of lives through our initiatives in Early Life, Education, and Employment.
Join us in making a difference.

🔗 Donate Now: https://www.commongood.org.za/donate/

Common Good | Change that Transforms and Impact that Lasts At Common Good we’re passionate about addressing issues of social justice that challenge Cape Town. We seek to make a positive and lasting impact in the areas of early life, education and employment, so that individuals and communities across the city can build brighter futures for themselves.

Celebrating success together! 🌟 Last week, 12 wonderful individuals completed our 2-day Job Journey Facilitator course, leaving ready to bring hope, skills, and economic empowerment to their communities.

Job Journey, our 11-day work readiness program, is an interactive course that encourages social and personal development by restoring dignity and hope to those who are unemployed, providing them with the confidence, hard skills, and resources they need to become economically active.

Let's cheer for our new facilitators making a difference! 🎉

To follow along the journey, head over to the Job Journey Course Facebook Pafe and give them a follow.

Here’s a little sneak peek into the behind-the-scenes of what our Employment team has been working hard on over the past couple of months. We're excited to soon be able to share with you a whole new way to experience the Job Journey Course, taking this replicable course even further across South Africa. If you'd like to follow along on the journey, head over to the Job Journey Facebook (Job Journey Course) and give them a follow. Watch this space 😊

Halala, Silikamva, Halala! 🎉

Silikamva High School continues to go from strength to strength, achieving a 93.3% pass rate in their Matric class of 2023! As their collaboration partner, we celebrate the learners and staff whose dedication and skill made this happen.

This also represents the most remarkable sustained effort to prioritise academic excellence. Support staff provided an enabling environment in which quality teaching and learning can take place. Leaders committed themselves and their teams to rigorous practice. Teachers brought their best to the classroom and beyond. Families invested time and belief in their children. And learners turned up not just in body but in mind and heart to give their best. All are to be recognised and celebrated! 🎓

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: UNIVERSITY APPLICATION SUPPORT

Dear Education Enthusiasts,

Are you passionate about empowering the next generation and making a lasting impact on young lives? We are reaching out to you, for volunteers who can lend a helping hand to matriculants navigating the exciting journey of university applications.

THE TWO OPPORTUNITIES

Document Certifier: We’re looking for someone (with notarial certification) to volunteer an hour of their time to certify documents for students on either the 6th or 7th February at our Common Good Observatory Office.

Application Assistance: Provide one-on-one guidance to students, navigating online applications (for many of our students, English is not their first language and online applications can be tricky – you do not need specific experience in this area – but rather just a willingness to help navigate the applications with students) This will happen 9am - 2pm on 6th & 7th February at out Common Good Observatory Office. Volunteers are welcome to sign up for hourly slots.

To receive more info, please email [email protected]

Ready to make a positive impact while enjoying a day of golf? Join us for the annual Golf Day in support of Common Good. Your swings can contribute to addressing key challenges in South Africa's education, employment, and early life initiatives. Tee off at the Rondebosch Golf Club on April 19th starting at (13h00 for a shotgun start).

Choose your way to get involved:
- Sponsor a hole plus a 4-ball for R4,000
- Sponsor a hole for R2,500
- Join with a 4-ball for R1,800 or R450 per player

Exciting prizes await, so mark your calendar and RSVP by April 5th via email at [email protected]. Let's come together for a day of golf, fun, and making a meaningful difference.

Wishing you and your families a blessed Christmas, with love from the Common Good team. ✨

You loved the last one so much that we're doing it again! The support from our last giveaway was overwhelming, and so we've decided to give away another two FREE entry tickets to the 2024 Cape Town Cycle Tour to two lucky winners. If you missed out last time, here's your chance. 🚵🏾‍♀️ This time, all you need to do to enter is the following:

1. Like our page (https://www.facebook.com/commongoodSA)
2. Tag your fellow cyclist.

And that's it! You're entered. Just a reminder that the winners won't need to race for Common Good (unless you want to 😉); this is simply a small token of thanks!

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Terms & Conditions:
• Entries close on the 12th of January. The winners will be drawn at random and announced on our Instagram & Facebook stories on the 15th of January.
• Competition winners must be new entrants to the race (i.e., riders who have not already entered the 2024 Cycle Tour).
• Competition winners must be registered by 31st January 2024. No late additions or changes hereafter are allowed.
• No late additions, substitutions, or transfers will be processed at the race registration.
• This competition will run across both the Common Good Facebook & Instagram.

Christmas time is full of wonder, joy and giving 🎄🎁 Although the focus at this time of year is often on material gifts, giving our time in service of others models the way that Jesus loved those around him. As a parent I'm always looking for ways to connect my kids to Jesus as the focus of all the Christmas fun. This free downloadable 'Acts of Service' advent calendar is an excellent tool to facilitate these kinds of conversations with the family! 💚 - With Love, Polly & the Common Good Team.
https://www.commongood.org.za/wp-content/uploads/Serve-this-Season-1.pdf

Common Good is thrilled to announce our collaboration with Aguśka Female Freestyle Football at one of our collaboration schools, Disa Primary, in December! Aguska, a 4-time world freestyle soccer champion and Guinness World Record holder, along with her partner Patrick Bäurer will be hosting an exciting soccer workshop for 100 kids, and we can't wait for the magic to unfold! ⚽

To help make this event successful, Common Good is raising funds to purchase 30 soccer balls. We're aiming to collect R3000, with each soccer ball costing R100. Your support would be so appreciated. 😁

You can contribute directly through SnapScan (QR Code on this post) or our website (https://www.commongood.org.za/product/once-off-donation/). Kindly use 'Soccer Ball' as your reference when making a donation. Thank you for teaming up with us to make a positive impact! 💚

Last month Beautiful Gate South Africa held a Job Journey Course facilitated by Xolile... and what a success it was! 👏 The Job Journey course is a replicable 11 day course designed to help unemployed people become work ready.

If you're interested in facilitating a Job Journey course in your community, you can sign up for our next facilitator on-boarding sessions on the 22nd & 23rd November. To sign up email [email protected] ☺️

To all the 2023 matrics who started writing this week. You’ve got this! 💚

If you're a cyclist (or a friend of one) – this one's for you! 🚵🏾‍♀️ Over the years, many in this community have pedalled for a purpose and raised funds to support Common Good. We value these partnerships immensely, and to show our appreciation, we're thrilled to let you know that we're running a giveaway where 2 lucky winners will each receive 2 FREE tickets to the 2024 Cape Town Cycle Tour!

The winners won't need to race for Common Good (unless you want to 😉); this is purely a small token of thanks!

To enter is simple; all you need to do is fill in the competition form on our website. Here's the link: https://www.commongood.org.za/competition/.. and then keep your fingers crossed! 🤞🏽

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Terms & Conditions:
• Entries close on the 20th of November. The winners will be drawn at random and announced on the 22nd of November.
• Competition winners must be new entrants to the race (i.e., riders who have not already entered the 2024 Cycle Tour).
• Competition winners must be registered by 31st January 2024. No late additions or changes hereafter are allowed.
• No late additions, substitutions, or transfers will be processed at the race registration.

Competition | Common Good CompetitionIvo2023-10-30T10:45:26+02:00 Win an entry to the 2024 Cape Town Cycle Tour 30 October 2023 – 20 November 2023 If you’re a cyclist – this one’s for you! Over the years, many in this community have pedalled for a purpose and raised funds to support Common Good. We value these partne...

On Saturday the 14th of October, got and took part in the Sanlam 5km Peace Run. 🏃🏾‍♀️ Thank you to everyone who supported our Given Gain fundraiser for this event – we appreciate you teaming with us! Your contribution will help work towards ensuring that children get a strong start to life, have access to excellent education, and be on a career pathway to success when they finish school. ✨

If you’d still like to donate to our fundraiser, you can find the link in our bio.

Here’s to all the incredible teachers we have the privilege of working with. Thank you for your unwavering dedication and passion! 📚 Your commitment to education and shaping young minds inspires us every day. Happy Teachers’ Day.

Our employment initiative's Job Journey course covers the topics of character development and self-awareness as they are key to our participant's success in preparing for their first or next job.

We all strive to be our best selves, but oftentimes, we find ourselves in need of a little extra help. From understanding how our thoughts and emotions influence the situations around us to identifying our strengths and weaknesses, our Job Journey course teaches self-awareness that is essential for living a more fulfilling life. 💭💡There are many benefits - from better decision-making to improved relationships!

We might assume that when baby is born, we just need to feed, change nappies and put them to sleep. We may not be thinking about them as little people who are absorbing all that is happening around them! In reality as soon as babies are born, they begin to acquire skills socially from other people – through smiling and eye contact, talking, modelling and imitation!

Our early life initiative, Sikunye is asking churches to support parents & caregiver's in playing these educational brain building games with the children in their community. Follow Sikunye as they look at how caregivers can use simple activities such as playing, reading and singing with children as core components of early childhood stimulation. These activities improve young children’s ability to think, communicate, and connect with others.