What we do and how it all started
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It all began in 2002 with a quiet German young man falling in love with a loud South African girl. While visiting her in her home in Rocklands, Mitchells Plain, Cape Town a few months later, even before they got married later that year, God placed a dream in his heart - a dream which took a few years to surface and which they still pursue together to this day.
In 2009 Rene and Sandra felt God tugging at their hearts to leave their comfort zone, their jobs as attorney and nurse behind, attend a mission-focussed Bible School in the Netherlands and in 2012 move from Germany to South Africa to simply love hurt and high-risk people into the Kingdom of God. Over the years they joined and co-launched several NPOs and eventually founded New Beginnings. |
Behind bars - prison ministry in Pollsmoor and beyond
We work in Pollsmoor Prison in partnership with Hope Prison Ministry. We are presently focusing on incarcerated men and women (juveniles and adults), both sentenced and waiting trial in several centres of this huge prison complex. The range of our activities includes visits to the communal cells with a flexible program which includes individual and group meetings, evangelism, discipleship, individual prayer, relationship building. We also encourage inmates to participate in programs included dealing with the offenders personal past or open-air services in the various exercise yards, counselling, Bible Study and prayer. We focus particularly on members of the notorious prison gangs.
At times we accompany selected offenders to their court trials, which often results in closer relationships with the offenders and their families or friends who we meet at court.
From the one-on-one talks and court accompaniments we find opportunities for follow-up. We visit released prisoners at their homes in various disadvantaged areas of the Cape Flats, including areas like Hanover Park, Tafelsig and Eastridge. Aftercare includes home visitation, assistance in job seeking, encouragement and connecting with communities, family, etc. We also do follow-up visits to sentenced men and women in the various prisons of the Western Cape: Drakenstein in Paarl, Helderstroom in Caledon and Voorberg in Porterville.
At times we accompany selected offenders to their court trials, which often results in closer relationships with the offenders and their families or friends who we meet at court.
From the one-on-one talks and court accompaniments we find opportunities for follow-up. We visit released prisoners at their homes in various disadvantaged areas of the Cape Flats, including areas like Hanover Park, Tafelsig and Eastridge. Aftercare includes home visitation, assistance in job seeking, encouragement and connecting with communities, family, etc. We also do follow-up visits to sentenced men and women in the various prisons of the Western Cape: Drakenstein in Paarl, Helderstroom in Caledon and Voorberg in Porterville.
Cape Flats Community Impact - Manenberg and beyond
Our bus project started as a prevention-, intervention- and aftercare-tool for the at-risk young people living in and near the gang hotspots of the Cape Flats.
A refurbished double-decker bus has become a mobile youth and community centre and safe space for young and broken high-risk people. In the bus valuable conversations can take place in a safe, enjoyable and prejudice-free environment, and people can receive advice, counselling and support for their needs, as well as the love, healing and restoration of God.
This can look different, depending on the needs of each community and the current situation. At times we might be running an outpatient drug rehabilitation course in our seminar room, or writing CVs to assist with job search in our computer section. We could be giving Barista training in our kitchen or simply journeying and praying with people in the drop in areas of our bus. On some days we take prayer walks and do house visitation through the community. Currently the bus is operated in Manenberg.
A refurbished double-decker bus has become a mobile youth and community centre and safe space for young and broken high-risk people. In the bus valuable conversations can take place in a safe, enjoyable and prejudice-free environment, and people can receive advice, counselling and support for their needs, as well as the love, healing and restoration of God.
This can look different, depending on the needs of each community and the current situation. At times we might be running an outpatient drug rehabilitation course in our seminar room, or writing CVs to assist with job search in our computer section. We could be giving Barista training in our kitchen or simply journeying and praying with people in the drop in areas of our bus. On some days we take prayer walks and do house visitation through the community. Currently the bus is operated in Manenberg.
Legacy Manenberg - Community Coffee School - Barista Skills
Aiming to empower young high-risk people from the Cape Flats communities we started our own Barista Training through our very own Legacy Manenberg Community Coffee School, based in Manenberg. Our Barista Coach is an Authorised Specialty Coffee Trainer of the Specialty Coffee Association. We aim to bring high quality Barista training into our communities to help young people to break out of destructive cycles of poverty, unemployment and violence / crime to find meaningful employment in the hospitality industry and contribute to a dignified life. While we have our training facility in Manenberg, we aim to extend our training services through like-minded partner organisations all over the Cape Flats.
Healing thru Art & The Chick Clique! - Ministry to young women
As Beyoncé sings: "Who rules the world? Girls!" Our amazingly talented and artistic team is working with beautiful young women and teenage girls from various parts of Manenberg through our Healing thru Art ladies group and The Chick Clique! teenie girl group.
With the ladies we create beauty, address real life issues through the creation of art and together look into what God says into the issues that arise, and pray into them.
For the teenagers we created a safe space to meet, learn about youth relevant issues through programs like Cherish Dignity by the Dignity Foundation, focussing on identity and purpose, sexuality, HIV/Aids and sexually transmitted diseases, female hygiene, etc. as well as the Grow program by GrowCreativeSolutions which focusses on mentoring and using art to develop creativity and celebrate your story, aiming to grow in creative confidence. Beside serious and deep talks, there are also outings like hiking Lion's Head and lots of laughter and fun.
With the ladies we create beauty, address real life issues through the creation of art and together look into what God says into the issues that arise, and pray into them.
For the teenagers we created a safe space to meet, learn about youth relevant issues through programs like Cherish Dignity by the Dignity Foundation, focussing on identity and purpose, sexuality, HIV/Aids and sexually transmitted diseases, female hygiene, etc. as well as the Grow program by GrowCreativeSolutions which focusses on mentoring and using art to develop creativity and celebrate your story, aiming to grow in creative confidence. Beside serious and deep talks, there are also outings like hiking Lion's Head and lots of laughter and fun.
CBD street work
Our street work in Cape Town's central business district is flexible. Every Friday night some of us spend hours on the streets, spaces and parks of inner-city Cape Town building relationships with people who live or work on the streets, praying with them and sharing the love of God to the streets through our actions and discussions.
What does this look like?
- Having a conversation with one of the many street prostitutes who often are also victims of human trafficking, listening and affirming their self-worth and dignity, showing them the love of God and praying for them.
- Assisting a drug addict to find a drug rehab, supporting and walking with them during this period in rehab through regular visits and phone calls to encourage them, ensuring they have the basics (duvet, toiletries, some clothing, etc.) for this time.
- Praying for healing of the inevitable wounds and sicknesses of street people, for inner healing or at times just giving someone a hug.
- Remembering someone's birthday: reminding them they are unique and have value.
What does this look like?
- Having a conversation with one of the many street prostitutes who often are also victims of human trafficking, listening and affirming their self-worth and dignity, showing them the love of God and praying for them.
- Assisting a drug addict to find a drug rehab, supporting and walking with them during this period in rehab through regular visits and phone calls to encourage them, ensuring they have the basics (duvet, toiletries, some clothing, etc.) for this time.
- Praying for healing of the inevitable wounds and sicknesses of street people, for inner healing or at times just giving someone a hug.
- Remembering someone's birthday: reminding them they are unique and have value.
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Our logoAs we were praying about starting New Beginnings, Sandra attended a prayer meeting where she received a prophetic picture by a total stranger:
Sandra was standing on barren ground under a a sky covered with heavy dark clouds. A hole in the clouds appeared and a beam shone onto Sandra from heaven to her head. A two-way exchange of love took place. Light appeared underneath her feet and a Koru fern appeared and unfurled, symbolising new life. He added, “This is your time for new beginnings.” South African artist Paula du Bois created our logo. The Koru fern symbolises a new beginning with its three extensions, symbolising the 3 areas of growth (Christ-restored People, Empowered families, Transformed Communities). At the same time, we see the three areas of Education, Gangsterism/Drugs/Human Trafficking and Family Intervention also unfolding into wholeness and healing, symbolised by the Circle. The fern has to pierce through and press in from where it starts to find this safety, wholeness and healing. Just like us. And just like the communities that we work in. |
Contact New Beginnings
New Beginnings - Nuwe Begin - Iziqalo Ezintsha
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