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Tribute to my Mom





Hermanus Rainbow Trust
My Mom is one of those, that can turn bad situations around and make them into a success. Through the years, I have seen her work herself to almost breaking point to get her Dancing Schools become a household name. She took a small poultry business and turned it into the best one around at the time, so that the chicken brand was a household name in the province we stayed. She bought a struggling coffee shop and built it up so that Saturday and Sunday mornings, there would be long queues outside as people were prepared to wait to get a table. Mom made many sacrifices, one being, she wasn't around that much to watch us all growing up. Her first two marriages failed. However, her hard work and brillance at organising and entertaining gave us a great example of what to do if we wanted to get ahead. As a result, I think all her children are good organisers and entertainers.
When Mom reached what should have been retirement age, she redecorated the house and then looked around for something to do. Coffee morning and bridge clubs weren't her style, and she decided to get a group of her friends together and teach some of the black women in the township some sewing skills so that they could make items to sell to support their families. My Mom soon realised, that the children of these women were not receiving any preschool education at all. So, she got together a group of friends and started a charity to raise money to build preschool and kindergarten classrooms for children in disadvantaged communities in the townships near where she stayed.
After setting up classrooms, Mom realised that the classes needed teachers, so she set in place a program so that local women could be trained as teachers. Then she realised that the children were starving, and many were lucky to get one meal a day. She started a sponsor-a-child program, whereby people sent money each month which was used to feed the children and clothe them and pay their school fees. As the AIDS epidemic swept through the townships, Mom saw that there were many AIDS orphans being cared for by elderly grandparents, so she started a Circle of Hope which provided support for vulnerable children. Mom was shocked to discover, that there were children aged between 10-14, caring for their siblings with no adults present. The parents had either died, or moved on and left them behind. With AIDS such a big problem in Southern Africa, many AIDS sufferers are left to die alone in their rooms with nobody to care for them. Mom started a 'home visit' service, whereby home helpers go in and help the AIDS patients and she then employed a driver to take them to the clinic for regular check-ups. Then Mom saw that children with special needs weren't getting any support, so she had some of the classes adapted for children with special needs. My Mom, Vivienne Owen, looked at the townships around her and saw what was lacking and did something about it to make a difference in the lives of people devastated by poverty and AIDS.
Her charity, the Hermanus Rainbow Trust, has become a registered NGO. It employs teachers, drivers, home care helpers, social workers, occupational therapists, nurses. All money raised goes into feeding and clothing and setting up kindergarten classes for the children. Most of the admin costs for running the charity come from my Mom's own pocket. For the past year, my Mom has been very sick and often bedridden for days on end. All that keeps her going, is her dream and desire to some how make a difference in the lives of these children. Luckily, she has some really good people working for her who have been able to continue the charity and watch it grow while my Mom has battled with her health.
My daughter, Kerri, is collecting sponsorships to run the Great Wall Half Marathon in China in May 2009. She has never run a marathon in her life, but this is her way of raising money for the Hermanus Rainbow Trust. All money raised, will go to setting up another much-needed kindergarten classroom with wheelchair access for special needs children. She is trying to raise $2000 or R20 000. My Mom, has inspired us all to put back into the world, what we have taken out. You go Mom! You rock!
Hermanus Rainbow Trust
- Hermanus Rainbow Trust
Awareness, consciousness, conscience, care, hope, support, protest, cr
Kerri's Great Wall Marathon Sponsorship Event
- Easigiving - Charity Champion Page
Easy Giving - the simple, speedy solution to donating and raising money for charity!
Comments
Thanks a lot for the compliment, it touches anyway because Viv is just but a star, energetic and so encouraging.I'm one of those who had benefited in terms of professionalism in this Organization, and I would like to say thanks to Viv again.
wow your mother is amazing and what an inspiration. This was really a nice tribute to her and her hard work. Cheers for you and your mom.
Wow! This is really amazing.What a wonderful tribute cindy! Your mother is really amazing. Since mother's day is fast approaching, have you decided of a gift for her. Why not gift her a diamond jewelry as an appreciation. I am sure she would like it! Every woman likes to wear a diamond necklace or a diamond bracelet. I have a hub on "Diamond jewelry". Hope you'll like it! Following your hubs and would like to invite you to join me too. Thanks...
Hi Cindyvine,
your mother is amazing. it is really inspiring and special lady. no wonder you are very proud of your mother.
I pray that your mother get better health.
this is a great tribute to a lovely lady.
Thumbs up for great Hubs.
What an inspiring story and a beautiful tribute to a lovely lady! Thanks for sharing this. I am always so impressed by people who choose to light a candle rather than curse the darkness. Great, wonderful stuff. I have a very good friend who has some experience in community work living in Hermanus and would like to put him in touch with your mum's NGO. Will email him the link at least.
Love and peace
Tony
interesting hub
Hi Cindy,
I just read this incredible warm, and touching tribute to your mother. She must have a pocket and heart as big and deep as the Grand Canyon to have been able to do what she has. She is so generous with both her heart and her time, not to mention money, and with no regard to her own health, she has taken these children who have been stricken with AIDS and loved them as her own. Now she has her Charity, HERMANUS RAINBOW TRUST, such a wonderful woman, it is no wonder you are so very proud of her, just as your love for her shows through so beautifully in this lovely tribute Cindy. How did your daughter go in the Marathon, I would be very intersted to know? Your family is truly amazing, no doubt about it. Love Beautybabe x
Like mother like daughter...lol You both are great! You both rule!
My mother also was always an example to me and now to my son. It is so important when parents can give a pass in life to their children.
Cindy,
Very nice Hub. I lost my mom 11/08 to congestive heart failure. She was also always sacrificing her time and doing things for others even though many of them never appreciated it. I thank you for bringing back many of those good memories.
Thumbs up to you and Mom!
This is the sweetest hub I've ever come across to! Way to go Cindy, m sure ur mom is really really proud of u & you daughter :)
Your mother sounds like an incredibly caring and loving woman. I think this kind of compassion and selflessness is very important and makes the world a much better place.
I don't know if I would be brave enough to go bungy jumping like your daughter though. That has always freaked me out ;)
Wow, your Mom is really isnspiring and special lady and you are as well. Thumbs up for great Hub of yours.
good
Cindy, your mom is a one-woman UN! How lucky for those villagers that she wasn't a "coffee morning, afternoon bridge" type. The world is so much better for having her and you and your daughter in it.
Hope your son is doing well after popping his shoulder.
Mother is treasure.
Okay, crying. That is so awesome, Cindy! I'm proud of her too! What an inspiration.
Wow, what an amazing woman. You look just like her too! This is so inspiring. I can understand why you are proud of her.
Cindy what can I say ? That was just awesome ! I rank her right there with Mother Theresa .
Cindy, what a wonderful tribute to your mom! I lost mine about two years ago due to Altzheimer's. Much like your mom, my mother spent her whole life giving to others and I miss her so much. I love your writing...keep em' coming!
She sounds fantastic, and amazing and inspiring woman. You are a lucky daughter! I hope she isn't too ill, and recovers soon.
Such a great Mom who deserves a great Hub and good luck to Kerri.
Awsome Mom AND daughter. Wow! I think I'm speechless.
wonderful tribute beautiful story
This was such a wonderful tribute to your Mother! I am advocate of many years and can say it is people like your Mother that has inspired me to continue to do the service work that I do! I pray that all goes well for your sister and I wish her the best of luck!! I also pray for your mother she is such a wonderful caring and giving person! I pray that she is blessed with good health!
What a beautiful tribute to your mother! This had me with tears in my eyes... It sounds like she was a wonderful and inspirational woman!
wonderful -- makes me ashamed i don't do more. What a great lady.
Cindy, your mum is a star
Sounds like a nice family tree. Lovely tribute SinDivine!
Btw, what is your avatar? I ask because I don't know if I should be scared or not! LOL :D
What a remarkable woman your mom was, and what a great tribute! That is a lot of accomplishment for one person. Good one!
Yes she is only 2 hours away she has been there for the last ten years,she knows where I am too, but ....it says it all
I was the accident I have been told from a child so........
Haha look at your avatar oh golly gush you are such a spunk Cindy LMAO
Stories like these inspire us to get out of ourselves and think of others. Lovely tribute Cindy.
Your mother is beautiful,you are so much like her it's amazing.I've forgotten what my mother looks like it's been that long. Everytime my heart breaks,over the absence of her affection,I just look to my father, he is the most beautiful human being, I just wish he was closer.
How don't know how some people have the energy, patience and resolve. I truly admire your mom for having that mojo to get up and start changing the world. amazing.
Cindy - What a wonderful tribute to an amazing woman!!
OMG i think shes got it !
now say this " the rayns in spayn fawl maynly in the playns "
Now I see the essence of your spirit and inspiration. I hope for better health for your mom.
Crikey cindy , ive got 5 brothers two, doya think we might be related?
In that case I betta watch me language in front of a lady.
But what the hell I bet if she's like you ,she's got a beaut sense of humor.
Special message to Viv. (hope you don't mind me gettin friendly seein its the first time we have met.)
heres a big bear hug from a hairy ass (oops sorry mum) I meant to say Aussie Sheep Shearer. (((((( HUG))))))))
Hi cindy I agree with everyone and I think hairy ass , that this is a beautiful and fitting tribute to your mum.
And please pass on to her that your adopted family at Hubpages is wishing her well in her health problems.
Cheers on the VB.
Crikey Cindy your mum sure is a bonza Sheila. They shoud make her a night or a saint or somfin. Wodaya reckon?
Awesome story. Awesome mom..goes to show how just one person can make a huge difference.
Wow!! What a wonderful tribute and you should have a place set up where people can sponsor you.:)
This is a great tribute to your mother cindy. How sweet she is and you too. Seems like you have taken after her too. wonderful pictures. I wish the best for your Mom. thanks for sharing, and now i fianlly know your Nation of birth. hmmm very interesting.
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