Success stories Archive - Hugo Tempelman Stiftung

Community, commitment and inclusion – Ndlovu Farm as a role model for sustainable development

Potatoes were planted at the Ndlovu/Lefas Farm these days with a great deal of dedication and commitment.

Ndlovu Farm as a holistic training and inclusion project

The Ndlovu Farm/Lefas Farm was established with the primary aim of providing people in the area with the necessary agricultural skills to secure or even improve their livelihoods. The project functions as an education and training center where participants can receive training and gain practical experience in growing crops as well as in sales and accounting. This holistic approach aims not only to strengthen the individual skills of the participants, but also to make a sustainable contribution to economic empowerment and food security for the entire community. In particular, participants in the support program for disabled and impaired children and young people are also trained here in order to create a livelihood for themselves and their families. The story of Evonne Ndlala, a young woman from the Ndlovu Care Group‘s Jorishaus program, is particularly inspiring.

Evonne’s path to independence

Evonne received medical care and support early on due to her challenges at school. Her development was characterized by health challenges: After birth, she was diagnosed with tuberculosis and had to undergo intensive medical treatment. She also struggled with developmental delays, which made her school career more difficult. Despite these challenges, she always showed great fighting spirit.

Evonne is the youngest of four children and grew up in a stable family with both parents working and acting as her main providers. Her family always supported her, even when her school career was difficult. She repeated several grades until she finally moved to a boarding school for children with special needs. There she finally found the support she needed before transferring to Jorishaus.

The Jorishaus as a pioneer for inclusion

Thanks to the loving and targeted support of the Ndlovu Care Group, she has been able to make incredible progress over the years. Today, she is not only a dedicated employee of Ndlovu Farm, but has also found her voice: She acts as a spokesperson for her peers and inspires many with her story.

The Jorishaus, which opened in 2017 with the support of the Hugo Tempelman Foundation, has set a milestone in inclusion work. Thanks to the generous financial support from ENERGETIX Bingen, young people with disabilities have been given a perspective. In particular, the establishment of practical training programs, such as in brick production and agricultural work on the Ndlovu farm, enables them to lead independent lives. These were set up with the financial support of the DEUTSCHE POSTCODE LOTTERY .
Together for an inclusive future

Evonne impressively demonstrates that inclusion is not just a vision, but a living reality. She is the best example of the success of this program and how important it is to give people with special challenges the opportunity to develop.

The Hugo Tempelman Foundation would like to thank ENERGETIX Bingen and the German Postcode Lottery for their tireless support! Together we can create real change.

Singing connects: The Ndlovu Youth Choir and the Vocal Heroes

The Ndlovu Youth Choir, which has been supported by the Hugo Tempelman Foundation since it was founded, impressively demonstrates how music can build bridges between cultures and continents. In 2023, the choir from the South African township of Moutse traveled to Berlin to be part of an extraordinary musical project together with the Vokalhelden youth choir of the Berliner Philharmoniker. The support of the Postcode Lottery Germany made this stay possible.

This special encounter was documented as part of the KiKA documentary series “Schau in meine Welt! Under the title “Singen verbindet! – Vocal heroes meet Ndlovu”, the episode accompanies the two choirs during an intensive workshop in the Berlin Philharmonic Hall. The highlight of the project: an unforgettable joint performance at the Brandenburg Gate.

Since its foundation in 2009, the Ndlovu Youth Choir has established itself as a cultural ambassador for South Africa. The choir offers young people from difficult backgrounds a stage on which they can develop their musical talents, strengthen their self-confidence and draw hope. With a unique blend of South African rhythms, dance and traditional singing, the choir inspires audiences worldwide – from performances in townships to international stages such as “America’s Got Talent”.

In Berlin, the Ndlovu Youth Choir proved once again how unifying music can be. The collaboration with the Berlin “vocal heroes” led to an exchange that went far beyond music. 14-year-old Clara, a member of the Berlin youth choir, spoke enthusiastically in the documentary about how inspiring and harmonious the collaboration with the guests from South Africa was.

The documentary “Singen verbindet! – Vocal heroes meet Ndlovu” is still available in the ARD Mediathek. Experience the moving story of the Ndlovu Youth Choir and the magical connection between music and community!

Pictures: Dirk Heuer

Together for inclusion: How the Ndlovu Care Group and the Hugo Tempelman Foundation are changing lives

The Hugo Tempelman Foundation (HTS) has been supporting the inclusion work of the Ndlovu Care Group (NCG) for years. Thanks in particular to the generous financial support of ENERGETIX Bingen and its dedicated employees and sales partners, real change has been achieved.

A milestone in this collaboration was the opening of the Jorishaus in 2017, which laid the foundation for bringing children and young people with disabilities out of the shadows of prejudice and discrimination. Many of the children affected used to be seen as “God’s punishment”, ostracized and literally hidden away by their families. Today, Jorishaus offers them a place in society – a chance to develop their full potential.

From the very beginning, Bild hilft e.V. “Ein Herz für Kinder” has been at the side of this project. With their support, a bus was provided to pick up the children from their homes every day and bring them safely to daycare – and back again in the evening. This transport option is an essential part of the program and enables many children to participate in the first place.

Individual support for a better future
The Ndlovu Care Group’s day care center looks after children with a wide range of disabilities – from mild intellectual impairments to severe cerebral disorders. Under the loving and professional care of the trained staff, the children make remarkable progress.

Many of these children have now grown into adolescents, and the support of the Ndlovu Care Group does not end there. Today, Jorishaus also offers training programs that enable the young adults to become independent. The former “problem children” who were once hidden away by society are now not only able to fend for themselves, but have often become the main breadwinners for their families.

A key sponsor for this is Postcode Lotterie Deutschland, which provided significant funding for the construction of the vocational school. This facility has a section, brick production, in which young people with disabilities receive practical training. This creates prospects and gives them the chance of an independent and self-determined life.

An example of change: The story of Nkhesani Manganyi
Nkhesani Manganyi, now 20 years old, was born with developmental delays and severely impaired speech. His single mother overcame all challenges under difficult circumstances and ensured that he received medical help. Despite his disability, Nkhesani is able to lead a full life thanks to the support of the Ndlovu Care Group.

Nkhesani blossomed in his participation in NCG’s programs. He works in brick production at NCG, where he is responsible for the precise management of materials as the “master of counting”. This has completely changed his position within the family: He is the one who contributes significantly to the livelihood of his family, who are building a new home thanks to his help.

Nkhesani is also involved in his community: he volunteers to patrol as part of a neighborhood watch, ensuring greater security. Although his family is often worried about him, his courage shows how much he has gained in self-confidence.

A Mindchange – Pride in real change
The story of Nkhesani is just one of many that show the profound impact of the work of the Ndlovu Care Group and the support of the Hugo Tempelman Foundation. Today, marginalized children are part of society, are encouraged and challenged, and grow into strong personalities.

We would like to thank all partners, supporters and donors who make these success stories possible. Bild hilft e.V. “Ein Herz für Kinder”, Postcode Lotterie Deutschland, ENERGETIX Bingen and many others make an indispensable contribution to making inclusion a reality in South Africa.

That is real change. This is inclusion in action!

Help make dreams come true: Boxing shoes for girls in Elandsdoorn

In Elandsdoorn, South Africa, there is a group of around 40 girls who not only pursue sporting goals through boxing, but also develop self-confidence and strength. But their training conditions are anything but ideal: without shoes and in everyday clothes, they do their best to fight for a better future.

With your help, we can change this! Give these girls prospects for the future and the chance to train under fair and safe conditions. The story of Kgaogelo Mahlake is an example of how important this support is.

Kgaogelo Mahlake – a young talent with a great passion for boxing

Kgaogelo, 14 years old, lives in the small community of Tambo Village with her parents and four siblings. She finds school difficult: at 14, she is only in the fourth grade. But thanks to her dream of proving herself in boxing and her dedication, she is one of two girls who have already qualified for district competitions. She trains regularly with great dedication.

However, her family’s economic situation poses a challenge. The father works 80 kilometers away, while the mother tries to cope with daily life on her own. A small garden that helped the family was destroyed by stray animals. The family relies on the support of the Ndlovu Care Group, which assists them with food, education and water supply programs.

Why boxing is so important for girls

Training at the boxing school not only strengthens the girls’ physical fitness, but also gives them the chance to assert themselves in a challenging environment. Boxing helps them to develop self-confidence and mental strength – skills that will accompany them throughout their lives.

Your support counts: Donations for shoes

The 40 or so girls at the boxing school are currently training without sports shoes. We want to give them the best possible training and are therefore collecting money for 20 pairs of boxing shoes.

How you can help:

Please make a donation to the Hugo Tempelman Foundation and enter “Boxing School” in the subject line. With your support, we will ensure that the girls no longer have to train barefoot in the future.

Bank details of the Hugo Tempelman Foundation:
IBAN: DE21 1012 0100 0007 7770 06

or via Paypal
spenden@hugo-tempelman-stiftung.de

Your donation counts and makes a difference! Let’s give hope together – for the girls in Elandsdoorn and beyond.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported us this year and wish you, your families and friends a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful New Year!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Hugo Tempelman Foundation

Boxing for a better future: The Hugo Tempelman Foundation and Nikki Adler empower girls in South Africa

In 2022, the Hugo Tempelman Foundation (HTS) opened a boxing school in Elandsdoorn, South Africa, together with multiple world boxing champion Nikki Adler and the Ndlovu Care Group. This initiative aims to empower young girls – not only physically, but also mentally. Through boxing training, the participants develop self-confidence, stamina and resilience – essential qualities for asserting themselves in a region affected by high levels of gender-based violence.

HTS covers all of the school’s running costs and the salaries of the trainers. Musa Sipelo in particular, an experienced boxing coach, shapes the school with his passion and expertise. He not only teaches the girls technical skills such as defensive and offensive boxing techniques, but also important life skills. Sipelo helps them to strengthen their self-confidence, overcome inner boundaries and stand up to life’s challenges. In a community that is often characterized by injustice and violence, Musa Sipelo encourages these young women not only to become strong fighters in the ring, but also strong personalities in life.

Special thanks to @Nikki Adler, whose commitment and expertise made the founding of the boxing school possible. Through her support, she has laid the foundation for a project that goes far beyond sporting success. We would also like to thank the Hammer company, which – through Nikki Adler – has provided important equipment for the boxing school. Their contributions ensure optimal training conditions and show how valuable partnerships are for the success of such initiatives.

The project is part of the holistic approach of the Ndlovu Care Group and the Hugo Tempelman Foundation, which have been working for years to sustainably improve life in the region through health, education and sport. Together, they are demonstrating that sport can be a tool for change – towards a fairer and stronger community.

Ndlovu Care Group celebrates its 30th anniversary with a reception

On October 26, 2024, the Ndlovu Care Group celebrated its 30th anniversary at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg. Back in September on its foundation day, Ndlovu Care Group took the opportunity to celebrate with the local community in Elandsdoorn. This event recognized the commitment and successes on the ground, where the heart of our joint work lies. The subsequent celebration in Johannesburg in October once again provided a platform to present the achievements of the last 30 years to sponsors, partners and supporters in a festive setting. This was also the occasion for a fitting tribute to the extraordinary work of Dr. Hugo and Liesje Tempelman, the founders of the organization. Since 1994, the couple have dedicated themselves to improving living conditions in the rural township of Elandsdoorn, where they have set standards with their visionary work in the health sector, social development and education.

One highlight of the evening was an emotional short film produced by the Hugo Tempelman Foundation in collaboration with Blueplanet. The film shows the work and commitment of the Tempelmans and was very well received by Hugo and Liesje as well as the guests. As the Hugo Tempelman Foundation, which has been closely associated with the Ndlovu Care Group for over 15 years, we are proud of the joint journey and the lasting impact of the programs implemented.

Special thanks also go to the members of the Supervisory and Management Boards of the Hugo Tempelman Foundation, without whose tireless commitment and reliability such a success story would not have been possible. We would like to thank Hans-Eike von Oppeln-Bronikowski, John Kriwet, Rainer Poelmann, Jochen Frieser, Clemens Frowein, Manfred Teubner, Stefanie Lemke, Viktor Worms and Rainer Eichhorn. Vivi Eickelberg, Helge Sasse and Roland Förster were on site as representatives of our foundation.

Your sustained commitment has shown what is possible when people come together to create hope and effect positive change. With artistic performances such as those by the famous Ndlovu Youth Choir and an exceptional young poet from the community, this was a celebration of partnership, vision and solidarity. A huge thank you to all supporters – let’s work together towards the next 30 years!

The members of the Hugo Tempelman Foundation: Roland Förster, Vivi Eickelberg. Helge Sasse (from left to right)

Ndlovu Youth Choir sings at Carnegie Hall in New York

From humble beginnings in rural Limpopo to the international stage: the Ndlovu Youth Choir will perform at the renowned Carnegie Hall on October 27. Carnegie Hall in New York City is one of the most famous concert halls in the world. The hall is known for its outstanding acoustics and has hosted some of the greatest artists of all time over the years, including Tchaikovsky, Louis Armstrong and the Beatles. It is considered a landmark for musicians who perform there and is a symbol of artistic excellence and cultural significance.

Now the Ndlovu Youth Choir is showing off its skills, having already attracted worldwide attention with its success on America’s Got Talent 2019. The Hugo Tempelman Foundation has accompanied the choir’s development since it was founded and was able to provide active support in many ways, especially in the early days. We are delighted with this huge success and send our heartfelt congratulations to the members of the Ndlovu Youth Choir and choirmaster Ralf Schmitt.

Congratulations, Ndlovu Care Group, on your 30th anniversary!

What a great party! Watch the video to see how exuberantly the Ndlovu Care Group celebrated its 30th birthday. With electrifying support from the Ndlovu Youth Choir, no one was able to stay in their seats.

For three decades, the Ndlovu Care Group has worked tirelessly to create holistic and sustainable solutions for people in rural communities in South Africa. With its focus on health, education and development, it has not only provided essential services, but also opened the doors to new opportunities and prospects.

The Hugo Tempelman Foundation is proud to have stood alongside the Ndlovu Care Group since 2007 and to support this impressive work. Today we celebrate not only the achievements of the last 30 years, but also the future that is made possible for so many people through this commitment.

Special thanks to the founders, Hugo Tempelman PhD (h.c.), MD, MCM and Liesje Tempelman, whose vision and tireless commitment give local people hope, prospects and the opportunity to build a self-determined future in their home region.

We look forward to many more years together!

Thank you for 16 years of support!

At the ENERGETIX Power Convention, we were able to show a special film highlighting the special developments of our disability programs in South Africa. Thanks to the continuous support of ENERGETIX Bingen, we have been able to change countless lives over the years – children who were once affected by prejudice are now confident in their professional lives and are given real prospects for the future through initiatives such as the Brickfactory.

We would especially like to thank Blueplanet Filmproduktionsgesellschaft for producing this moving film, which documents this journey so impressively. A big thank you goes to Arno Canzler and Michael Stroh for the wonderful collaboration!

Watch the movie and learn how lives are changed and children in South Africa are given hope for a better future.

A big thank you to ENERGETIX Bingen!

At this year’s ENERGETIX Power Convention, a generous cheque for 50,000 euros was once again presented to the Hugo Tempelman Foundation. ENERGETIX has been actively supporting our programs for the disabled in South Africa for 16 years – with impressive continuity.

Thanks to this long-standing collaboration, the program has been able to develop from the initial support of children with disabilities to vocational training opportunities. A great example of this is the newly founded Brickfactory, part of the Ndlovu Care Group‘s Vocational Training Center. Here, young people are given the chance to train as craftsmen and have a self-determined future.

Children who were once overshadowed by prejudice and superstition are now self-confident young people with real prospects. At Jorishaus, they are not only cared for, but also encouraged in craft skills such as jewelry making, sewing and carpentry.

We would like to thank Roland Förster, all sales partners and the entire ENERGETIX team from the bottom of our hearts for your great support! Your help changes lives and gives hope for a better future.