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Dear Friends of MES, “1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the [c]still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23: 1-4 In the literal sense of the scripture in Psalm 23, a shepherd's tools represent protection, guidance, and discipline. Sometimes, a shepherd breaks the leg of a sheep if it keeps straying off. Then, the shepherd carries the sheep on his shoulder and talks to the sheep so that it can learn to trust the shepherd’s voice. In the metaphorical sense, where the Shepherd is our Heavenly Father, breaking a leg can symbolise moments of trial or difficulty in our lives. Yet, even in these moments, the voice of the Shepherd remains constant. He whispers comfort and assurance, reminding us of His presence and promise never to leave nor forsake us. Knowing the voice of the Shepherd and recognising the significance of His rod and staff is crucial for those who follow Him. The rod and staff serve distinct yet complementary purposes. The rod, a sturdy wooden tool, symbolises the shepherd's authority and protection. It fends off predators and keeps the flock safe from harm. Likewise, in our spiritual journey, the rod represents God's protective hand over His people, guarding them from the dangers that lurk in the darkness of the world. The staff, a long-crooked stick with a hook at one end, serves as a tool for guidance and correction. The shepherd uses it to gently guide wayward sheep back onto the right path and to rescue them from precarious situations. Similarly, God's staff represents His gentle guidance and correction in our lives, steering us away from harmful paths and leading us towards righteousness. When we know the voice of the Shepherd and understand the significance of His rod and staff, we can find strength and hope even amid our darkest moments. We can trust that He will lead us safely through the valleys, mend our brokenness, and restore our souls. It is my prayer that during Easter, we will hear the voice of our Shepherd as we celebrate the gift of life made possible through His crucifixion and resurrection. We will find time to lay down our burdens and lean closer to the Vine so that we can continue to bear fruits! I wish you enough! Leona Pienaar CEO of MES Leona Pienaar, CEO of MES

Calling on all cyclists to activate your heart for change! Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg returns to Joburg’s streets on 17 November 2024. This day is a call to action for individuals, communities, and organisations to raise funds towards bursaries to cover tuition fees and study materials for our 14 MES Joshuas. MES invites you to support our team and raise funds for the MES Joshua Youth Servant Leadership programme. How you can get involved with MES and Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg Dedicate your ride to MES when registering for the Ride for a Purpose initiative on the 947 Ride Joburg website. Our promo code is SEM-657. Click here to redeem our promo code. Raise R2500 for your entry fee and your MES shirt. Contribute or sponsor a MES Joshuas entry fee. Ride alongside and engage with our Joshua team on 17 November 2024. Join us at the MES water point on race day to motivate riders and celebrate the day in MES spirit! Interested to get involved? Contact Brigitte Potgieter at MES Johannesburg on 011 725 6531 or email her at engage@mes.org.za REDEEM THE PROMO CODE SEM-657 HERE Why support the MES "Ride for a Purpose" initiative? Funds raised will support the Joshuas with university registration, tuition fees, and study materials. You can request an 18A Tax Certificate for your generous donation. Your involvement will go a long way in enabling our Joshuas to continue supporting the youth and inner-city communities in Johannesburg. For further assistance on how you can raise funds or pledge your support for our Youth Servant Leaders, please contact us at 011 725 6531 or email brigitte@mes.org.za More about our Joshuas The MES Joshuas is a servant leadership gap-year programme for 14 selected matriculants with leadership potential. These youths play a vital role in the MES learners programmes, where they become mentors and tutors for the younger children in the After School Programmes (ASPs), in sports, arts, and the MES Dance 4 A Purpose projects. At the end of the leadership year, MES supports them in finding suitable training, study bursaries or employment. Most Joshuas remain MES supporters, and some have become strong champions for MES' work. Your donation and/or promotion of this MES flagship programme will empower these aspiring leaders to obtain the education they desire and make a lasting impact in their communities. Follow the Joshua's 947 Ride Joburg journey Regular updates will be shared in the gallery below.

On 19 February 2024, MES participated in the National Homeless Dialogues, organised by the National Homeless Network at The Manger in Kempton Park. The National Homeless Network is a collaborative movement, uniting diverse organisations from multiple cities across South Africa. The event gathered approximately 80 attendees from various backgrounds, including NGO representatives, academics, researchers, pastors, government officials, and individuals with personal experiences of homelessness. During the event, a key topic of conversation was the National Policy on homelessness. By the close of the Conference, delegates left with a few core principles: Homelessness is complex and needs a complex response from the state, civil society, and business. A citywide database is crucial in capturing standardised baseline surveys and impact data. Collective Impact Approach models - like the Joint Operations Committees in Cape Town - are the only way to reduce homelessness. One plan and one developmental language. Ending homelessness is an intentional process, and its impact needs to be measured – we need to: prevent it; make it a rare occurrence (we need to know when new people end up on the street and why); make it brief (when people are homeless) and non-recurring (those that exit must do so sustainably and not return to the streets); a variety of solutions for accommodation and services (day and night services) for each area. Together, we CAN reduce homelessness in South Africa! Click here to read the National Homeless Network media statement.

MES and 18A Tax Benefit There is still time to make a meaningful impact and qualify for this year's tax assessment deduction! As a registered Public Benefit Organisation, MES can provide you with an 18A receipt or certificate. By partnering with us you will qualify for a tax deduction on your tax return for bona-fide donations in cash or in kind. If you have already made your contribution and haven't received your 18A receipt, please note we will distribute all 18A certificates in March after the end of the financial year. You can also liaise directly with your nearest branch. Johannesburg: Brigitte Potgieter – brigitte@mes.org.za Cape Town: Clarina Hanekom – prcapetown@mes.org.za Kempton Park: Luwanda Conco – luwanda@mes.org.za Gqeberha: Ronny Naude – ronny@mes.org.za Thank you for your loyal support and for Changing the Heart of the City! 18A tax benefits and B-BBEE partnership opportunities

Packaged Love 2023 It is almost Christmas, so the season of giving and caring is approaching. Every year we package our love and present these gifts on Christmas day to those near and dear to us. Packaged Love is an annual campaign that brings awareness on how to love our beneficiaries by making giving and serving opportunities available to the public. You can be part of MES's annual Packaged Love campaign! This year we are doing a national Packaged Love drive, consisting of items that all four branches need to start 2024 off with. We also have branch-specific serving and giving opportunities where individuals, church groups, and corporates can get involved at our Christmas events. CLICK HERE TO CHANGE A HEART IN YOUR CITY How to get involved We have Branch-specific serving and giving opportunities where individuals, church groups, and corporates can give back this Christmas. We have a list of shopping bag items available to make it fun and easy to add to your basket while you shop. Please see below for our national needs list for items to add to your shopping list. Add any of the following items to your shopping cart this Festive Season and donate to any of our four branches: Unwanted Christmas gifts Mi-Change voucher packs Jik Handy Andy Dishwashing soap Dishcloth Sponge scourers Washing powder Toilet paper Toothbrush Socks Body soap Roll on Vaseline Long life milk Coffee Sugar Cooking oil Biscuits Lolly pops Popcorn kernels Powdered drink sachets A4 paper A4 Plastic sleeves A4 Exercise books A4 Hardcover books Pritt Pens Permanent markers Prestik Johannesburg Needs List Kempton Park Needs List Gqebera Needs List Cape Town Needs List

Calling on all cyclists to activate your heart for change! Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg returns to Joburg’s streets on 19 November 2023. This day is a call to action for individuals, communities, and organisations to raise funds towards bursaries to cover tuition fees and study materials for our 14 MES Joshuas. MES invites you to support our team and raise funds for the MES Joshua Youth Servant Leadership programme. But hurry, entries close on 18 October! How you can get involved with MES and Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg Dedicate your ride to MES when you register for the Ride for a Purpose initiative on the 947 Ride Joburg website. Our code is: MES-509 or click here to redeem our promo code. Ride with our Joshua team on 19 November and you could qualify for an earlier start time. Help sponsor a MES branded race kit and race gear for our Joshuas. Join us at the MES water point on race day to motivate riders and celebrate the day in MES spirit! Donate a minimum of R2,500 as a personal donation or sponsorship from friends and family. Interested to get involved? Contact Brigitte Potgieter at MES Johannesburg on 011 725 6531 or email her at engage@mes.org.za REDEEM THE PROMO CODE MES-509 HERE Why support the MES "Ride for a Purpose" initiative? Funds raised will support the Joshuas with university registration, tuition fees, and study materials. You get an earlier start time. You could qualify for an 18A Tax Receipt – ask us how. Your involvement will go a long way to enable our Joshuas to continue supporting the youth and inner-city communities in Johannesburg. #ActivateYourHeart for change – Ride for a Purpose with MES at 947 Ride Joburg on 19 November! More about our Joshuas The Joshuas are an in-service programme comprised of 14 young matriculants who have taken a gap year to become servant leaders in their community. They play a key role within the Learners and Preschool focus groups, where they become mentors and tutors in the After School Programmes (ASPs). "Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle" is one of MES's core messages for 2023. We aim to raise funds for bursaries to cover tuition fees and stationery for the 14 Joshuas. We invite you to help us raise funds and awareness so that these young leaders can obtain higher education. Follow the Joshua's 947 Ride Joburg journey Regular updates will be shared in the gallery below.

MES Joburg sign up 83 unemployed youngsters as part of the Presidency's Social Employment Fund MES Johannesburg is pleased to partner with the Johannesburg Inner City Partnership (JICP) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) on the Johannesburg Inner City Social Employment Programme (JICSEP) Social Employment Fund (SEF) roll-out. "We are honoured as this shows that MES Johannesburg is recognised as an agent of change, adding value to common national interest and notion of nation building. This is, once again, an opportunity to mould, empower, and serve our unemployed youth," said MES Johannesburg Branch Manager, Rev. Nicodemus Setshedi. Through the JICSEP, MES has signed up more than 80 members of the youth. Among them are graduates and unemployed youngsters from disadvantaged communities, stationed across the different Focus Groups in the organisation. SEF forms part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) which has been established to enable the Office of the Presidency, through the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (DTIC), as a conduit to providing grants to support social economic activities in communities, while reducing the scourge of youth unemployment in South Africa. As appointed by the Office of the Presidency, the IDC acts for and on behalf of the highest office as an agent. They identify strategic partners to assist in managing the funds allocated to the selected activities and the administration of SEF. IDC has identified JICSEP as one such strategic partner, who identified MES and other partners to contribute towards achieving the SEF objectives. Rev. Setshedi said it would be ideal and interesting to have the programme run for more than 12 months with an increased stipend.

MES Gqeberha beats Day Zero with help from Gift of the Givers The countdown for Nelson Mandela Bay taps to run dry has ended for the MES Gqeberha branch in the Eastern Cape province. This follows a swift intervention by Gift of the Givers, responding to our call for sponsorship into the whole project - from drilling a water borehole - to installation of a running water system, connecting more than four (4) of the 5 000 litres of water tanks, donated in our building. "Our vulnerable and homeless clients will now breathe a sigh of relief after days of hardship in the province. We are grateful to have Gift of the Givers come on board and rescue the situation," said MES Gqeberha Branch Manager, Ronny Naude. In addition, private donors and the Robert Niven Trust also significantly contributed to the water tanks and infrastructure development. Situated at 1 Hiles Street in Korsten, MES Gqeberha accommodates more than 100 homeless clients in our Safe Spaces and shelter. The centre offers a restoration programme, counselling through our social workers, as well as a community soup outreach to those still living on the street. MES Gqeberha sells second-hand clothing at our Thrift shop, which can only benefit from your pre-loved clothing, to help us build an exciting shopping experience for our customers.