Do it Day Build, 19 September 2009, Wallacedene

Bravo to all the civic minded volunteers who joined the Do it Day build on 19 September and put their time and energy to good use.

"Do It Day" is an annual GreaterGood South Africa volunteering day when thousands of South Africans share their time, skills and energy with good causes across the country. The Niall Mellon Township Trust was one of the 200 projects involved in this.

We had an amazing turnout of 240 volunteers on a gloriously sunny and warm day in Wallacedene, Cape Town. This is the biggest number of volunteers to participate in a single volunteer build since the launch of the programme in May 2007. We are proud to include in this figure several staff members from the charity who work behind the scenes and don't often get to experience the project 'in action'.

The group worked on 26 different houses, mixing dagha and laying blocks for the external walls. As there was such a fantastic spirit and enthusiasm on site, a total of 14 houses' walls were built to roof height. This means 14 families can look forward to receiving their solid brick house that much sooner due to the volunteers' hard work and generosity.

Several parents brought their children along to share in the act of giving back to the community, and their job was to varnish door and window frames.

It is always inspiring to see individuals and groups giving of themselves and contributing to the betterment of others and our future. So thank you and well done!

Mandy, Noeki, Morne and all the Mellon Housing Staff

Old Mutual, Do it Day build, 18 September 2009

Congratulations to the staff from Old Mutual who participated in this year's Do it Day build in Wallacedene. Nearly 40 volunteers arrived for the build, despite heavy gray clouds and threats of rain. The group was divided into several teams and tasked with building internal walls.

Not only did the volunteers give of their time and energy, but they also received hands on skills training on how to lay blocks!

We look forward to welcoming more Old Mutual volunteers next year.

UCT Construction Students, 7-11 Sept. 2009

As part of their annual practical, the Department of Construction Economics and Management, have sent their 1st year students on a week's build with Mellon Housing Initiative for the past four years. This year 80 students signed on and experienced life 'on site'.

They were originally scheduled to work in Wallacedene, but due to the heavy rainfalls, they were moved to Project 2 in Mbekweni, Paarl. They were exposed to: laying foundations, painting and block laying during the week.

For the first time, the students have undertaken to fundraise and donate the money to the charity.

We wish the students all the best for the remainder of their 1st year.

Volunteer build, 10 September, Paarl

Photos from left to right: volunteers getting upskilled on site. Members of the Nicro team form a conveyor belt to get blocks inside the house. Tom Fitzgerald handing the key to Zandre, the beneficiary, along with Gordon Reid who participated in his sixth build.

It was a small, but intimate group of volunteers that travelled to Paarl on 10 September to participate in a house build. The group consisted of several staff from Santam and Nicro as well as a few individuals wanting to experience the hands-on approach of the project.

One of the volunteers commented that it was great to get away from the daily routine and forget one's everyday stresses, and one of the team leaders said of his all women team that they were fantastic and that he'd never seen such proactive team work.

At the end of the day, the group witnessed the handing over of a house to a beneficiary. Zandre has lived in a shack for almost 30 years and was very happy to receive the keys to her own home. She has four children, but only three will be living with her. Unfortunately they were not present at the handover.

We wish Zandre and her family all the best in their beautiful new home.

Rhema Build, Tembisa, 29 August

Left to right: Rhema volunteers showing off their two and three stripes. Volunteers hard at work. Tholape and Tom standing proudly outside their front door.

It was a pleasure to welcome Rhema Ministries onto site in Tembisa for their third house build on Saturday, 29 August, and great to see so many volunteers with two and three stripes on their t-shirts (depicting the number of builds they have attended). The no stripers will get another to earn their stripes in October.

The teams were very focused on the tasks at hand, which included painting and block-laying. But this commitment did not preclude fun and banter among the volunteers, which just added to the enjoyment of the day.

Each team had a team leader from the permanent construction staff, so skills transfer was a strong element of the day with an 'expert' doing the transferring.

At the end of the day, the group joined the one painting team at their house to witness the beneficiary and his wife receive their house. Standing in from of their freshly painted and cleaned house, Tom and Tholape, were thrilled to share the joy of receiving the key to their own home with fellow Christians. Much praise and thanks were given as Pastor Alan and Xana McCauley blessed the house and family.

Tom had this to say: "My new house can change my life. I am very happy. Thanks 100 times."

We look forward to welcoming the Rhema group back in October, and thank them for their ongoing support.

Mandy, Noeki, Morne and the Mellon Housing Initiative on site staff.

Volunteer House Build, 27 August 2009 Overview

Photos (top left to bottom right)

The winning PPC Team: Thomas' team were awarded for the best productivity on site. The other winning team: Hilton's PPC team won for the best team spirit. Maida Masiphela and her family outside their new home.

One of the King Pie teams hard at work. The team is joined by the subcontractors who build throughout the year. The second King Pie team showing their team spirit.

Congratulations to PPC and King Pie for their participation in the house build in Tembisa. There was a great spirit among the groups and among the teams. There was also a great spirit of competition with certain PPC team members visiting other groups to 'check' how they were faring.

There were 12 construction teams and three painting teams, and all took their tasks seriously. Some even expressed a new found respect for labourers who do this hard kind of physical work every day.

At the end of the day there were two winning teams: Thomas' team for achieving the best level of productivity and building to roof level in one day. Hilton's team won for having the greatest team spirit. This was also the team that painted the house that was handed over to Maida Masiphela. She stood with her son Petrus and two grandchildren beaming with joy at receiving her first solid home. She has lived in a shack on the same plot for 13 years, so moving into this house is a dream come true.

She said: "I am happy for this house. I will no longer worry about the cold, wet weather and dust."

The group was given a taste of what challenge dust can be in Tembisa. Just as Maida and Petrus welcomed the volunteers into their new home, a vicious sandstorm arrived causing bodies to scatter and head for the busses as quickly as possible. But if the volunteers survived a day of hard work, they certainly survived the howling wind and dust that bade them farewell yesterday.

You were a great group and a wonderful bunch of individuals that have made a big difference in making the future a better place in SA.

Mandy, Noeki, Morne and the staff of Mellon Housing Initiative (Gauteng)

King Pie Volunteer Build, Tembisa, 27 August 2009

Volunteers from King Pie mixing dagha

I made a difference. Petunia Mokwena, King Pie

I have a new found respect for builders. Maylene May, King Pie

This experience has shown me how the majority of SA lives and has allowed me the opportunity to contribute to the improvement of life. Lisa Forgan, King Pie

I was privileged and may they be blessed with lots of bricks. Anonymous, King PIe

The day was emotionally and physically fulfilling - it feels good to have made a difference in someone's life. Tshepo Mokone, King Pie

The King Pie team

The day has been extremely rewarding - not only did we get to contribute to the housing crisis in our country but we got to interact with the warm and friendly local community. Jeanne Geldenhuys, King Pie

I have learnt the difference between dagga and dagha! Nobunto, King Pie

We don't only make a meal - we also make a dream! Marius Bergh, King Pie