Antonio Paladino has been an Ambassador and long-time supporter of the MylifE Foundation since 2002. He works as a Director of Photography and lives in Germany but, once or twice a year, he flies over to South Africa for his shoots.

When he first met Linzi, the founder of the MylifE foundation, she was busy involving young people from the townships as apprentices at the film set. Antonio, who was immediately enchanted by this project, employed some of the MylifE kids on the spot. They did such a great job that he has insisted in hiring MylifE Youths for each of his productions taking place in South Africa ever since. Thanks to Antonio and his crew, the world saw the first former “street kid” as the Head of Department at a shoot for an international commercial.

According to Antonio, “these kids are incredibly creative, motivated and involved because they feel, often for the first time in their lives, that somebody really cares for them.” Antonio supports the MylifE Foundation wherever he can, not only in his job but also in his private life. He is convinced that MylifE bares the potential to achieve the change the South African society so desperately needs.

“The MylifE village could serve as an example for other villages; it could be the beginning of something really great.” Therefore Antonio has launched a campaign to assist the MylifE Foundation with raising funds for the Eco Village Project in Hogsback.

Antonio will be joining the MylifE team on the 17^th May 2012 in Hogsback…

To join his campaign, click here!

Or simply click the ‘donate’ button below, and become a part of Antonio’s campaign for change..

Last week, our team completed a 2-Day Chainsaw Operators Course facilitated by Ron Ashdown from Border Autosports & Innocent Sefolo from Husqvarna SA. There were a total of 18 people on the course, with 5 of them being MylifE’s team.

The first day of the course included:

• An introduction to the Chainsaw machine, parts and tools
• Theory and Emphasis on Safety, the 7 Safety features of Machine, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Emphasis on Team-work, Awareness of self and those around you
• Theory and practical on daily & weekly servicing / maintenance of Machine

The first day was well enjoyed by all, and our team left with a good understanding of safety and confident in using the machine in the right way. The 2^nd day was the one our whole team was excited for – getting into the fields to cut trees. The day included:

• Practical Safety & Safety-features check
• Fuel, Oil & Starting the Machine
• How to hold / use machine correctly
• Practical Cross-cutting on fallen trees
• Felling of Trees – Brushing, Safety Cut/Wedge, Cross-cutting, Clearing

The outcomes of the overall course ensured 5 MylifE Members are familiarized and certified to utilize chainsaws. This course was an important first-step in our eco-village project. There is currently 7Ha of invasive Pine on the Glenara Farm which we have access to for use in building. The next step for our eco-village project will be uprooting and cutting Pine Trees to supply all our timber requirements for the buildings, furniture and manufacturing.

In order to get going as soon as possible, we are requiring Funding or Sponsorship to acquire 3 x Professional Chainsaws, Maintenance Tools, Fuel (Petrol, 2-Stroke, Chain Lubricant) and the respective PPE for 5 People (Jacket, Pants, Boots (steel-cap), Gloves, Hard-hat). Our budget is R 25 000 for the above and appeal for your support to take us to the next step in our project.

Thank you to Mark Andersen, his 8 tonne truck and an incredible team of people. We are proud to share that we have arrived and settled in Hogsback, Eastern Cape.  It’s been a busy time unpacking, getting our accommodation in order and familiarising our youth with the new environment.

Over the weekend, our next generation team had their first visit to Glenara Farm which is hosting our Eco Village Project – we got to view the site and plans where the development will be taking place and meet with Glenaras Bongani & Eric, who will be Mentors to our youth in agriculture and skills development. We also got to meet a few of the horses on the farm.

Our little Amier was quick to get digging and took control of the tractor – and on our first visit we landed up getting our hands dirty in the workshop – bending and welding steel into a grid for our fireplace.

With the change in climate compared to Cape Town, we are now dependant on fires to keep warm at night and to keep the fire burning, we have to chop our own wood daily – which is a great physical workout for us all.

Our Eco Village Project is moving at a rapid pace, and will formally kick-off this coming Thursday 10 May, when our Team does a 2-Day Chainsaw Operators Course. Once we are certified we will begin felling and cutting trees on the farm – to be utilized for the construction of our Communal Building.

We will be keeping our blog up-to-date with all developments, so be sure to visit regularly!

We need your support to build our village – click below to ‘Donate’ Now!

All 3 youth are now certified Heart Connection Tour lead Facilitators and have all recently run workshops in schools in the Western Cape – raising awareness and educating youth and children about HIV and AIDS through music and dance.

We recently had an article written on us which was published in the latest edition of the Urban Edge Magazine. To view the full publication click here

The event was a great success with the 5 for Change team raising in excess of R 55 000 for all the organizations involved.

We must commend the 5 for Change team for their innovative approach to the event and a special thanks must go to the founders of 5 for Change – Adriaan Dippenaar, Dave Deetlefs & Ross Mckernan and their amazing event team.

We are excited to share that our Pilot Village goes up in 2012, in the Eastern Cape – we would love you to be a part of our journey and encourage you to get involved!!!!