Christmas Newsletter for Alpha House

10th Birthday

So much has changed over the past ten years we have had some friends, pass-on whilst others have decided that their so-called "season" has ended. Yet the concept that I believe the Lord shared with me back in 1999 continues, and in some instances, it has found new momentum.

New friends were made and new relationships were formed. In every instance, these people are always saying the same thing, and that is their concern for their fellow humans.

Volunteers

The one thing that has frustrated our best endeavours is the "system." It never seems to improve but often the biggest hurdle that well meaning people will have to deal with if they intend to offer help to the broken hearted.

At one stage, we had a large number of volunteers but these individuals have become frustrated by the so-called system and have dwindled into insignificance. Whilst on the subject it is imperative for the community to request volunteers or well-meaning helpers to produce competency and compliance before they allow these well-meaning individuals to assist them.

Be it as it may, there are unscrupulous people who will do almost anything to earn an "easy buck." Members of the public should remember that in all instances, they are to make an informed choice when it comes to their wellbeing.

The Natural Healers Association (NHA) is doing it's utmost to clean up and transform the counselling profession. There are people who "advertise" their services yet do not have any professional training other than attending a short course. These people often mean well and are invaluable to the system but all too often, they go beyond their level of competency. For more information go to www.naturalhealersassociation.co.za/faq.htm

Sponsorship

We have seen many other organisations struggling to keep their doors open but God has been good to us. Our sponsors, Alpha Security have never considered withdrawing their contribution and have always committed themselves to offering a service to the community.

During the last part of 2009, we were able once again to offer a free crisis intervention service to the community and for her contribution, we are extremely grateful to Belinda. www.alphahouse.co.za (see the Chaplin heading). This consultation by Belinda is a one-off visitation, after which in most cases she will refer to a suitability qualified professional. These individuals are not volunteers but trained professionals who have tertiary / academic qualifications. It is undenialably true that in some cases their fees may seem to be expensive but when one considers why one is seeing them the cost is actual insignificant.

2010

2010 promises to be another great year and we are very expectant about the prospects of our two new support groups, more about this later in this newsletter.

Soccer World Cup

The soccer world cup has captured everybody's imagination and contrary to all the doom prophets, the stadiums are built and ready for the World Cup. Some are simply beautiful.

Naturally, Alpha House will offer its services to all during this time.

Networking

It has always been our ethos to network with everybody and anybody. There are so many hurting people in our society that not one organisation can deal with everything. We believe that a person or organisation has a speciality and in this way, people will obtain the best assistance.

Networking with other professionals has already started and Dr. Bernie and I will continue to do so in the New Year. Our new front page will illustrate this, when we are ready to launch it. Perhaps the idea of a hub is not so far removed, as one would think! But more about this in the New Year.

Alpha house will continue to evolve to meet the new challenges that our society faces daily. One of our objectives is to be relevant and accessible to our community. The technology available makes this possible. Although Alpha House is not a "walk-in centre," but rather an appointment based service. You will notice on our new website that there is a response page available for you to complete. This will assist people to contact us and set up an appointment.

New support groups

The CLIMB program

The first new support group will be to support those individuals who are struggling with their weight.

"South Africa has not been spared in the rampant global increase in obesity.
Throughout Africa, as elsewhere, ethnicity has a major impact on the incidence and pathogenesis of co-morbid diseases, particularly diabetes. Combined figures for obesity and overweight (body mass index [BMI] > 25 kg m?2) obtained across all ethnic groups in the adult population in 1998, were 57% for women and 29% for men. From the 1960s until the late 1980s, the notion of 'healthy' or 'benign' obesity was propagated in South Africa. Not surprisingly, this led to ignorance around the problem of obesity, and treatment of some of the co-morbid diseases was neglected. Fortunately, as an increasing number of seminal studies draw us closer to reality, the misperception of benign obesity is being corrected. This is allowing us to address the real issues underlying the current epidemic, and to recognize and manage the co-morbid diseases, in particular type 2 diabetes. A new framework for research is also emerging as we begin to define the factors underlying the impact of ethnicity on obesity." (Ania Lichtarowicz a BBC correspondent in Sun City, Friday, 29 October, 2004, news.bbc.co.uk) Not only will we be able to offer you the monitoring of your weight, much like many other weight management orientated organisations. However, we will also be in a position to help you increase your activity / exercise level to encourage an active life style. Besides this, your host will be there to supervise your exercise activity on the premises. Weight loss is not about dieting, dieting does not work! In his book Don Colbert speaks about the seven pillars of a healthy lifestyle. It is our intention to follow his excellent advice.

Naturally, there will be meal supplements, vitamins, and meal replacements for sale under the Annique Lifestyle program. This gives the program the uniqueness of a South African product.

Your host will be Steve who is currently completing his PhD. on using alternative health diagnostic tools to help those struggling with trauma and/or overweight. Often these two seem to go hand-in-hand. Trauma is real and coping is perceptual. The body will store and recall trauma thus making weight loss difficult. Memories are stored in the body. Ask any sports person, they call it "muscle-memory."

The anticipated launch of the exercise program will be April 2010. We will however keep you informed of the progress of this program.

Step-moms

The second program is to offer support to the ever-increasing number of "step-moms." It is difficult enough to have to deal with ones own children but it becomes extremely delicate to deal with someone else's children. This is complicated even further if the children involved, are used as pawns by the respective divorcing parents.

The support group will offer more than the "step-mom" anticipated. This is not the normal "lets-get-together-and-share-our-sorry-stories-of-woe." This is about restoring and rejuvenating oneself back to the place that you deserve to be.

Dr. Bernie Dalgety will be your host and this promises to be a life changing experience for those that are able to dare to go beyond themselves.

Legal Adoptions

Mrs Daleen van der Walt who is well established in Alpha House, is one of a select few registered Social Workers who are able to render legal adoption services. If you need assistance, use our response page to contact us.

Child Therapy

Earlier in this newsletter, we mentioned that we have evolved. Fortunately, we obtained a working agreement with a psychologist who specializes in working with children. She is a wonderful person and is meticulous in the way she works. If you require any assistance in this regard use our Talk2us response form.

Special notice

Please be aware that Alpha House shall be closed from the 10th December 2009 to the 15th January 2010.