In life you have your ups and downs

 had my downs for a long time

But with Worknow! I’m way up in the sky, like superlady

Why, you ask?

I am happy in my job

I meet different people every day

Just to see a person smile, because he/she had a day’s work

Is sometimes something you can’t put into words

Now I love my job, which comes with so many ups!

I was introduced to the positive aspects of life in the townships by Grahame Graham – Parker. They are a vibrant thriving integral part of Hout Bay. When he passed away I was privileged to attend his memorial service with my wife & children inside Imizamo Yethu, organized by his friends & colleagues  to celebrate his work helping the “previously disadvantaged” from that moment I became committed to making sure his work carried on and was grateful I had the opportunity to meet him. WorkNow is just one project that can make a real difference to our community and help Hout Bay become the place most people believe it is. Imizamo Yethu is a place with hope where people have modest aspirations – I would like to help them to achieve those aspirations through employment opportunities.

"When I arrived in Hout Bay I was amazed how well the three communities managed to coexist but appalled at how my neighbours were living in such abject poverty.  My initial reaction was to want to roll up my sleeves and build houses.  A prominent local told me “You can’t build a house for someone if they can’t afford to pay for it” and convinced me that creating work is the key.  I work closely with HBNW and SAPS and I am also convinced that addressing unemployment is a long term solution for addressing crime.  I believe WorkNow will play a major role in creating work and that the Hout Bay operation will pave the way for similar initiatives elsewhere."

When I began working for WorkNow!, I started to grow more as a person.  Never did I imagine it would happen in such a short period of time. Inter-acting with people on a daily basis has its ups and downs. For me, being able to provide someone with a job is satisfying. That means that a family will at least be having something to eat for supper.

My time at WorkNow! has made me realize that only when you start doing things for yourself, will you succeed in life. I struggled to find a permanent job for 5 years.  Today I come across people in the same dilemma that I was once in and I gladly encourage them not to give up hope.

That enormous gratitude and the beaming smile that I get from employees who have found a job through this programme leaves a wonderful feeling - way beyond my expectations. I always wanted to do something to uplift my community and WorkNow! is helping me to achieve that every single day.

"As a management consultant helping organisations create superior brand delivery, I was drawn to this project to make a contribution to its rebirth & relaunch. More importantly I have long believed that the biggest problem facing South Africa is the

desperate need to create employment.The WorkNow! project is just the perfect place to make a such meaningful contribution. I am privileged to be involved & humbled by the magnificent human beings who walk through the WorkNow! doors everyday seeking the dignity of work."

"For many years I worked in the manic world of advertising and marketing, before switching to therapeutic aromatherapy and teaching. The WorkNow! project has afforded me a rare opportunity to combine my marketing and business skills with my passion for people, personal growth and social change.  I feel most privileged to live and work here in Hout Bay and I am truly committed to making a difference in our community.  It really "floats my boat" when someone who has been unemployed for a long time finds work through our programme. Giving people work gives them hope again – and with that, they can achieve anything!"

"For me, WorkNow has given me an opportunity to put something back into the Community that I live in, and to demonstrate that South Africa's issues are challenges that can be overcome rather than problems to despair about.  My goal is to make a small contribution to giving some pride back to some of my fellow men and women in Hout Bay, so that I can live in this beautiful place with a greater peace of mind - and hopefully so can they."