Thursday, November 25, 2010

Mr South Africa Semi Finalists @ The Bridal Africa Expo

On Sunday November 7th, Pieter and Adriaan shared the stage with the celebrity brides. This photo was taken shortly afterwards!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Privilege and Honour!!!!!!

As Mr South Africa 2011 Semi Finalist, I had the privilege and honour to get involved in various events and charities. Not only did I have the oppertunity to make a difference in the lives of many, but I had the oppertunity to learn from the people that I've had time to spent with.

In the past few months I've learned more about myself and my abilities than I ever had thought possible, and yet I've been even more humbled and touch by those that I thought I was helping. I just feel its right to thank everybody that made these oppertunities for me possible, and ensure all who have been supporting me, that if or when I become a finalist for 2011 I will put my all into making a difference in our beautiful country.

At this point I would like to thank:
  • All the staff at Aurora Special Care Centre for the wonderful work you are doing. You are truly angels. Thank you for the invitation and oppertunity you gave me in spending time with the kids, I had the time of my life and learn a lot from the kids. I will be voluntering at a regular basis from now on no matter what.
  • I would also like to thank everybody that formed part of the Bring and Braai that was held in Aid of Chrysalis, you guys rocked, thank you for your donations that amounted to a total of R1020, that was paid over to The Chrysalis Foundation. From Jaco le Roux and myself thank you for your support, not anly for as but for a great Foundation. You made the difference in the lives of the girls of Chrysalis!
  • To everybody that gave small individual donations towards the Chrysalis Foundation, thank you! I've paid the money into their account, I can't remember the amounts but it totalled up to a big amount! Thank you!
  • I'm also honoured to have been ask to become part of the Golf Day in Aid of Divan Serfontein, see previous blogs, I would like to ask the other Semi Finalist to become part of this Day, and join me and the former Rugby players in making this child's life easier.
  • To my family and friends that has been supporting me, thank you, I love you guys!
  • To the most import, my Lord God and Saviour, I can only be greatful for the talents, abilities and potential He has given me. The passion and purpose I have in life is because of Him. I want you all te remember these two statements: " Live like you mean it, live with passion, live with purpose!" and " Do what you can do, and God will do what you can't!"
I would like to remind you what The Chrysalis foundation is and ask you to please support then with donations, you have the power to make a difference:

Please give your support for Chrysalis Foundation!!!!!!!!!

By now you know that I'm a Mr SA 2011 semi- finalist, being in this position is a great privilege, and I would like to give back to the community. The official charity for Mr SA 2011 is the Chrysalis foundation.

More about Chrysalis:
The Chrysalis Foundation offers a life skills course for girls from 14 to 18 who have been physically and mentally traumatised, and are vulnerable in their communities including those living in children's homes and places of safety. The purpose of the course is to uplift, educate and equip the girls to not only be in a position to cope with the crime perpetrated against them, but to also enable them to reach their full potential.

The main focus of the lectures is to impart knowledge and life skills to the students, but vital therapeutic elements have been incorporated into the lecture modules to address the trauma and the psychological damage done to the girls. The results obtained to date have been phenomenal, and have been a life-changing experience for the 1200 girls involved.

The course is managed by a group of volunteer-businesswomen, and the lecturers are acknowledged experts in their fields of endeavor. Each course is comprised of 16 lecture modules presented over 3 months, as well as skills-building group activities, educational and cultural excursions, and takes place under the guidance of psychologists and social workers.

Once the students have successfully completed the course with both its practical and therapeutic benefits there are a series of ongoing skills-development courses and practical work experience opportunities available to them.
www.chrysalisfoundation.co.za

For donation:
Please note that if you would like to help you must put "MrSA Adriaan Marais" as reference. email or fax me the proof of payment and I'll send that to MrSA Office where you or your company will be acknowledged.

Account Name: The Chrysalis Foundation

Nedbank Branch: Eastern Gauteng
Branch Code: 128842
Account Number: 1288 134940
Reference: MrSA Adriaan Marais

Proof of payment: adriaan.marais@hotmail.com
or fax: 046 684 0767

Thanks so much for the support
God bless
Adriaan Marais
Mr South Africa 2011 Semi-Finalist
 
Note: You can still vote for me: sms MRSA 23 to 34008 @R2/sms, GO VOTE NOW!!!!!!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Spending time at Aurora special care centre!!

 Enjoying time in the pool









 Rocardo here had is first opertunity to join in the fun in the pool due to Aurora staff being mainly woman and can't lift him out of the pool, Ricardo normally sits at the side watching the others swim. This was your day buddy.
 Aurora group home members started this little coffee shop they run it, join them and enjoy a great cup of coffee

 This little one is the lastest arrival at Aurora, it still not sure what is her disability as she is still so young and hard to determine. She got a special place in my hart.


Friday, November 12, 2010

Golf day in Aid of Divan Serfontein - Miracle Child

Hey Everybody

This is something each and everyone can join in. Join me and the some of the well known rugby players support this day, If you meet this young boy, he gets straight into your heart. This is really a miracle child and I'm proud to be part of this childs life and form part of the gruop of people that will support this cause.

Come and make a difference
Regards
Adriaan Marais


Old Springboks Danie Gerber, Anton Barnard and De Wet Barry is standing together to help Divan Serfotnein. Divan is a 13 year old disabled boy whom need a kombi to transport his wheel chair in. On the 14th of December there is a golf day at the PE Golf Club in aid of Divan.
  
Thanks
Jackie
0731 484 623



Divan Serfontein – Miracle Child
Aka SUPER D
Tel: 0731 484 623

REQUEST FOR SPONSOR TO A PRESTIGIOUS GOLF DAY WITH SPRINGBOK RUGBY PLAYERS PRESENT AND PAST
In support of Divan Serfontein

WE NEED SPONSORS FOR TEES AND GREENS AS WELL AS GIFTS FOR THE PLAYERS (R500 each)
PUTTING AND CHIPPING GREEN (R5000)
WE ALSO NEED A SPONSOR THAT WILL BUY THE NAMING RIGHTS FOR THE DAY
TEES AND GREENS 12 & 18 (R1000)
WE ALSO NEED PLAYERS FOR THIS DAY!

Dear Sponsor / Player
Divan Serfontein is a 13 year old disabled boy from Port Elizabeth who needs your support. Despite having many important operations and his constant fight to live he has now turned into a teenager. Divan has received a motorized wheel chair form Anton Barnard (a very dear person) Divan needed this new chair as he is growing so fast that his back cannot sustain the growth.  However we urgently need to buy a second hand kombi that will allow Divan to be loaded in the kombi inside the chair. We currently have to pick him up in and out our car. This is not only bad on our backs as parents, but NOT good for Divan. The wheel chair cannot fold up.
DIVAN SERFONTEIN – MIRACLE CHILD GOLF DAY
Please join us for a day
On the greens to benefit
The Divan Serfontein – Miracle Child fund.
Shotgun Start
R250 per person including a meal
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
T-OFF:   10.30
Port Elizabeth Golf Club
BETTERBALL STABLEFORD

Should you require more information please feel free to contact me, I will be more than willing to assist. We are also in a position to collect all sponsored items.

Hoping to hear from you soon!


Yours Truly
Jackie Serfontein
0731 484 623








 
Divan het hierdie jaar op sy ryk na droom naweek na Pretoria gegaan. Hy het Cindy Nel (Mej SA2002) ontmoet. Nicole Flint, (Mej SA 2009) Chante Jantjies (Mej Teen SA 2009) ontmoet en Lorna Rosetti Pogieter (Mej SA 1985) Divan kon nooit werklik uit gaan nie omdat hy altyd baie siek is.

  Die is Divan se rug, van sy nekkie tot sy boude. So sleg gebuig in minder as 3 maande!


A very short version of Divan’s Live – Named After Springbok rugby player Divan Serfontein)
Divan was born on the 14th of August 1997 at St Georges Hospital. I can proudly say my gynaecologist that took over from the one whom did not notice my child is handicapped on 27th week was Carus Ferreira. (Truly the best ever) For obvious reasons I will not mention whom was my initial gynaecologist. My Childs paediatrician is Dr Dave Purchase and he was there with us since day one. My gp Dr Cilliers Swart was also with us on this very day.
My general practitioner still to the day believe that my son was saved by God, as we initially did not think he made it alive, but yes his little live started out by fighting.
Divan was 7 hours old and underwent brain surgery. He had a VP Shunt inserted by Dr G P Greeff and at the same time had his spina - befida repaired. For those of you who does not know what it is, do yourself a favour and Google it. (A shunt is a pipe that gets planted in your brain to drain extra fluid from your brain in your stomached. This meant from the brain, the tube runs down your neck under your skin to your stomach.) Divan had this shunt in for 2 weeks when it blocked and was removed. A month later Dr Greeff inserted a new Shunt, which only worked for 2 months and was blocked again. This time they only opened his stomach and cleaned the blocking so that it can work again.) This only worked good for 4 months and blocked so a second VP Shunt was places in Divan’s brain. And yes this one only lasted for 6 months and then had to be replaced again. Then Divan hat to hernias repaired. He had is tonsils removed (bearing in mind we need to do this, because the slightest infection raised a fit) We went to Cape Town when Divan was 2 years old and Professor Sparks released some hip mussels that allowed Divans dislocated hip to move back into place.
Bearing in mind I am not telling you about all the fevers and bladder infections Divan is having during this time. My son has spent more time in hospitals then we as a family wanted. Which brings us to what I wrong with him now? Despite all the things my child is facing in 2003 a girl at our church in Sydenham (Renaldé) dropped Divan out of his wheel chair and lied to us by saying nothing happened. This happened on a Friday. By the Sunday his leg started swelling up and upon a doctor’s visit we were informed that his leg was broken. I know it was an accident, just till today cannot believe she lied to me or did not even apologize.
We saw a Dr and he plastered my son’s leg for 10 weeks. After the time the plaster was removed and we were told that all is ok with Divan. 3 Weeks ago my mom changed his nappy and his leg broke on the same spot. We rushed him to hospital and the Dr took 2 days to arrange for a 2 and a half hour operation to implant 2 titanium screws. The screws are now infected and to long and has caused a major infection.
Not many people know how one’s life change by having a special needs child. These children can go from healthy to critically in seconds. The thing is that God always gives me the strength to handle it, but I am also human, and these days find it very hard to handle it when Divan is so sick.  Accept for the big things that happen many other small things also come into the picture. He gets catheterized 3 times a day. He is wheelchair bound. He is mentally and physically handicapped, BUT despite all of this, he stands up with a BIG smile every morning.
As a family we never knew the level of Divan’s inspiration to us. If at times it seemed that we will not make it through this big thing happening in our lives, once just need to have a look a Divan and his big smile and know all is well. Our finances so far has been the worst of all as our medical aid is normally exhausted early in the year and we have to cover all the expenses. As you know our provincial hospitals is the last place one wants to end up. Other than that Divan is still wearing nappies and that alone is very costly. Divan has no bladder control due to his high spinal injury. However I can tell you if I had my life over again, I will do it all over again for my angel. Only this time I will know slightly more... Divan recently went on his reach for a dream weekend. We enjoyed our stay in Pretoria very much.  Thank you very much to the Reach for a Dream foundation as our financed would never have allowed Divan this special weekend. Many people here about you guys, and I can say for a fact on never knows how deep you guys touch children’s lives until you are in the same position. In my heart I hope I can make someone happy the way you guys made us happy.  I bring my story to a close with the following words: Parents with normal kids, love them like today is the last day your with them. That is how I love Divan and my normal kids. They are not ours to own but on lend from God.
I am starting this page, as I know this happens to 1 in 500 people every day. This can be me, you, and just about everyone we know. Our children is not ours but is simply borrowed to us for as long as God allows it. Many a time I feel like giving up, then comes this big smiles and I think who am I to give up if my child still has the power to fight.  We just love our little angels!




List of Divan’s Operations / Divan’s facts
VP Shunt x 8
Revision VP Shunt x 2
Repair Menycloceal (spina bifida)
Repair hernia
Tonsils
Sircomsission (had to be done – got infection due to no bladder control)
Release hip mussel
Bladder scopes x 3
Titanium screws inserted in leg
Titanium screws shortened in leg
Will update this list later as I cannot remember all anymore.

Divan never made a sound. He cried the very first time on 10 months old! Believe it. We thought he could not make a noise. That was music to my ears. Divan held his first bottle on 11months. He ate his first biscuit on 24months. (Lemon cream)

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Monday, November 1, 2010

PROSTATE CANCER MONTH

Hey all as you might have heard and seen in the media November is the month to to generate awerness for prostate cancer. This effects mainly older men, but it is important for all men to get examined. It is as easy as a blood test. I urge all to join in and support CANSA in all the cancer research, charities and awerness that they do.

Prostate cancer is a leading cancer faced by men in South Africa and worldwide but if detected early through screening services and treated, this disease can be successfully managed

Men get up as one and lets fight prostate and testicular cancer, not just for yourself but for your loved ones, your family, your wife, children, friends. They all deserve to have you in their lives. Don't let cancer take you away from them.

The following was taken from the CANSA website please read it and go to the CANSA site for more detailed infomation and to see events, Fundraiser and how you can become part of the fight againts cancer:

Direct copy from: http://www.cansa.org.za/ on 1 November 2010

Men need to invest in their health

New research from the United Kingdom indicates men are more likely than women to develop cancer due to their unhealthy lifestyles and more likely to  die from cancer because they don't like going to the doctor. Read more...
“For years women have been encouraged to detect female cancers early, now we want to encourage men to be proactive and by regular self-examination and having blood tests, help detect male cancers early,” said Sue Janse van Rensburg, CEO of CANSA. “It’s important for men to know their bodies, so they can recognise if something has changed and they can do something about it.”
This is the 2nd year that CANSA is partnering with Movember in November to raise awareness regarding men's cancers. Men are encouraged to grow a moustache in lieu of wearing a ribbon and to discuss men's health issues with other men. In this way it is hoped that men will start to take better care of themselves and decrease their cancer risk.

Taking action - How men can lower their cancer risk:

Men from age 15 to 40 years of age need to examine their testicles each month, preferably after a bath or shower, to feel for any pea-sized lumps that could indicate testicular cancer. Download: Testicular Cancer Fact Sheet | Testicular Cancer Leaflet: English | Afrikaans | What Young Men Should Know About Testicular Cancer.
Men over the age of 50 need to go for simple screening tests each year to check if they might have prostate cancer, which is the most common cancer among men in South Africa and globally. Download: Prostate Cancer Fact Sheet | Prostate Cancer Leaflet: English | Afrikaans | Be a master blaster with CANSA's P-ball!
Men are also encouraged to know their bodies, conduct self-examinations and be aware of any changes or warning signs. It is important to remember that the earlier cancer is detected and treated the better the outcome.

How men can lower their general cancer risk:

  • Men should Improve lifestyle habits by getting active and choosing a healthier diet for themselves and their families – to find out how click here
  • Stop smoking - click here for more information
  • Consult their doctors for advice on specific cancer screening tests relevant to their age, medical and family history

Be smart, be safe, get tested!!!!

May God bless and keep everybody healthy!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Cabana Project - Help by giving any old clothes!!!!!!

What is the Cabana project?
Let me put it to you like this:

You get up in the morning, look out the window and see the sunrise. You turn to a messy closet, and stare. Thinking to yourself what will I where today. You scratch around and find some clothes you haven't worn in ages and it so so out of fashion that you just want to throw it aways.

Had that experience? Now picture this!

A jong child, old lady, mother, father or a grandfather in East Londen wakes up, thinking where am I going to get food today, where am I going to get something to wear? The mother resorts to prostittution just to give her kid some food, buy clothes, school is not an option to expensive.

All I ask is that if you have any clothes you don't want or blankets, please don't throw it away. Some of these families are up to 10 people living in 1 caravan. We have hosted a free camp for these children in the winter, some have never left East Londen before, and to have seen these childrens' faces light up on the farm and to get their first experience of holding snow in there hand, broke my heart, because I knew I had to let these kids go back to the livestyle noone wants to be in.

We try to show these children that there is more in live than what they experience, and showed then that there is something to fight for. These kids gets into your heart so quick.

Thank you to everybody that has been sending us clothes to give these people. You truly are a blessing.

If you want to be part of this cause and have clothes you want to send me please cantact me:

Email: adriaan.marais@hotmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/adriaan.marais

Thank you