The Brighton Holistics Community Project has been working within the South African community of Hartbeespoort, North West Province, which is about an hour and twenty minutes from Johannesburg, since 2017.

You may ask why Brighton Holistics would want to work in South Africa? That is quite easy to answer. It's where half of the family are from, and we still have family living there. South Africa holds a very special place in our hearts, not only because of the family but, it is a magical and beautiful country full of diversity and culture.

Like most countries, it has its problems. These are mainly poverty, corruption and racism across all spectrums. Sadly the gap between those that 'Have' and those that 'Have not' is often vast, leaving people with very little possibility of getting out of the situation they face. These are the people that need the most help and support.

Our aim is to work within the different community groups to help train and support local people, regardless of colour or creed, so that they have the tools to make a change in their lives. I was once speaking to a man who said "Poverty isn't about having no money or positions, poverty is when you have no choices".  Some people worry about what t-shirt to wear, but if you only have one then there is no choice, the same can be said regarding food, housing, education etc. This has really resonated with me for a long time.

Brighton Holistics was hoping to be able to train people in Complementary Therapy so that people have the skills to get a job. Sadly at the current time, this is not going to be possible as our accrediting body we are hoping to use, just want too much money and are not being very helpful. This has put us behind, but we will not be defeated; it's going to take a long time to sort out as we have to cut through the red tape and bureaucracy, but we will get there in time.

We are currently working with Lakeland Development Community Centre, which is run by a lovely lady called Annette. Annette has set up a sewing group which currently has six ladies all learning sewing, beading, knitting and crocheting. These skill they are leaning are already helping with everyday living and helping to produce clothes, cushion covers, table cloths, bean bags and much more,  which the ladies are selling within the local community. We are also working with a local community church group who is distributing clothes to hard to reach community groups. Alongside the Lakeland Community Centre and the community church are also working with a fantastic organisation called the Winnie Mabaso Foundation - http://www.winniemabaso.org.

We asked our amazing learners here at Brighton Holistics if they had any winter clothes they didn't need, and they didn't let us down. By the time winter (June to September) arrives in South Africa we will have sent over 500kg of clothes to be distributed into the many local deprived areas. I was recently asked by one of the learners, "Does it ever get cold in South Africa?" and the answer yes, very. It can go from 22 degrees during the day, to minus 5 at night. The picture below shows only part of the items we have distributed.

Basic medical expenses

The money collected from this page will help towards basic medical expenses, including emergency dental treatment and medication costs, for those less fortunate within local communities. Any donation makes a huge difference to those who have very limited access to suitable health care. All donations are welcome, no matter how small. 100% of all monies given will go to the community groups.

For regular updates please click on this link Brighton Holistics Community Project

Many thanks

From the

Brighton Holistics Team