One cannot believe that 2020 is almost done! Amidst all the challenges we all faced, hope and gratitude kept us going. TMFSA, represented by our Executive Director participated in several progressive webinars and networking sessions throughout the world, including France, Nigeria, United States of America and The Netherlands. Technolgy impacted so many lives and in many ways made a difference by connecting people world wide! As much as TMFSA could not have its annual events, including its Donate a Soccer Boot Campaign (#DASBC) and Deaf Women Economic Emancipation Program (#DWEEP) which have been running for over 6 years and Deaf Girls Code (#DeafGirlsCode) which was launched in 2017, there were fundraising efforts behind the scences. Furthermore, during lockdown level five, we donated food parcels to 10 families in Orlando East, Soweto.
A shout out to those who donated to the #DeafGirlsCode fundraising efforts via Facebook. The Fundraising efforts raised over R1900.00. It was a good start. Hopefully in 2021 we will be able to raise more money towards our Coding program.
Our website got an upgrade, thanks to our volunteers and friends of the Foundation. But we want to shine a spotlight to our Executive Director who built the website from scratch and also to our long time and loyal friend of nearly a decade, Fraser Sunduza who is based in Cape Town. Kudos to their sterling work! TMFSA has a new face lift!
We also want to express our gratitude to our Board Members; your work behind the scenes is valued. You have been behind the Foundation for many years and your trust and support behind the vision and mission of TMFSA is appreciated. Words cannot express how proud we are of our Executive Director who was recognised by the Mail&Guardian in their top 50 Powerful Women in 2020. In her words “it was an honor to be counted amongst the game changers and women who are making a difference in our country.” Indeed, the women who are truly touching lives of South Africans in their
respective communities. To read more here’s the link https://powerfulwomen.mg.co.za
September 2020 was Deaf Awareness Month: TMFSA resolved to embark on a Gender-based violence #GBV, #WeSeeYou campaign. During the time of global lock downs, violence against women and children escalated. According to the United Nations report https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/11/1078812. 'However, lockdowns, stay-at-home orders and other measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic have led to what the UN has called a “shadow pandemic” of rising gender-based violence.' We made a clarion call to our communities to support our campaign by sending messages they would like to share with their communities. The support and response was great! We are thankful to all who participated. 
Your support is always welcome, please go to our website https://www.tmfsa.org/support-us
to make a donation.
Following updates about several versions of the COVID- 19 vaccine, 2021 will bring more hope even though the “new normal” will still be in place for a while; but we hope that things will get better as time progresses. As Tata Desmond Tutu said "Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” We can only hope that things will get better with time. Let us all share love, kindness, compassion and gratitude. This Holiday Season is the most difficult one in living memory, but hope and love will prevail.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
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