By Admire Kamonere | Admin Manager
The year 2017 started on a positive note for Thabang and our academically more advanced children. The children who were attending school at Kambaku Private School transferred to Advanced College which uses the same curriculum as the majority of South African schools and is more affordable. It was also a situation that brought heartache to the children as they left behind a lot of friends to go into an unfamiliar environment. The children have since settled down and are progressing well in their studies and development. Our heartfelt gratitude and thanks go to all the stakeholders that have made this possible, these 7 children shine because you have put the light into their hands. Thank you.
“We have finally achieved what we have been aiming for: having the two centres in the same place. Now we can save on transport and running costs (water, electricity etc.) and invest in what actually matters, the children.” - Rebecca Mothibe, Girls House Mother. “One of our challenges now is that the girls don’t have a prepared playing field to play sports on (netball etc.) and do physical activities on. A multipurpose hard court behind the house is my wish for 2017.”Thabang Marimba Band:
The Band has evolved this year with a few children leaving and a few more joining. A new teacher/ trainer has also been contracted and the children are loving to play more than ever. The growth of the children that take part in this program is astounding, with marked differences in behaviour and maturity.
Human Rights Day:
The Drop in Centre children joined the Child & Youth Care Centre on Tuesday 21st March to celebrate Human Rights Day .The children took part in an entertaining debate on human rights, whether there should or should not be boundaries with democracy. The younger children “discussed” the issue of younger children having the same rights or less as older children. The boys came out victorious on both fronts after arguing for no boundaries and less rights for the younger children. Everyone involved was left asking for more, and the children learned a lot.
School:
“The learning of Afrikaans remains one of our biggest challenges as the children only became exposed to Afrikaans at a very late stage.” – Fedrick Muzhamba, In-house Teacher
Twelve (12) of our younger children are attending school at Ysterberg Primary School with 8 of them doing well academically. A few of these children have been identified as in need of special needs education; which is a challenge for us as we at Thabang are not equipped to provide this education, nor are the local schools in Thabazimbi. From assessments conducted by Occupational Therapists on the Thabang children, we have found this year that the need for special education has increased with almost every new intake. These children face many challenges every day they walk into a classroom, as they were born into environments that had no regard for their development, academic or others. Environments where, for some of them, survival came at the cost of an education. Learning to read at the age of 12 is a challenge for anyone.
There are five (5) children at the local government high school and they are faced with immeasurable difficulties and challenges every day. The school promised change at the beginning of the year and all parents are still waiting to see this change come to fruition. Our biggest hope is that lessons will be held at the school and that teachers will fulfil their duties. Two (2) boys are attending school at Thekganang Technical School, with one set to write his Matric (grade 12) this year. One (1) girl is at Frikkie Meyer High School doing grade 11, and our newest addition is at Laerskool Thabazimbi (primary school).
Independent Living Program:
At the beginning of 2017, three boys indicated that they wanted to be part of the Independent Living Programme and be equipped for work before exiting Thabang. Due to challenges/ difficulties with their schooling, lack of progress in the past two years and the fact that they have already, or are to turn eighteen in 2017, Thabang agreed. Once they are employed, Thabang will assist them to get accommodation and the essentials to start living independently. One boy indicated that he would like to be a driver. After passing his learner’s license on the second attempt, he started drivers training for his code 10. He is progressing well and will take his test on the 26th April. Thereafter, Thabang will look for a business that will employ him in a learnership position. We are looking for a courier company or driving opportunity. The second boy indicated that he would like to be a chef or a griller. He has been working in the Thabang kitchen as an assistant. He has performed well and can be found up at 05:00 with the cook each morning. A local lodge, Thaba Nkwe, offered him training in their restaurant’s kitchen and he gladly accepted. He works weekends (Friday to Sunday) and thoroughly enjoys what he is learning. Once he has sufficient experience we will look for a placement for him. The third boy is more practically orientated (hands on), and has been assisting with the various building, maintenance and repair work done at Thabang. He has indicated that he would like to work in a mechanical workshop. To date no opening has been found for him, but possibly a position will open for him when the construction of the office block and skills centre start at Thabang.
Thabang Drop in Centre: Community Care Centre
The children that attend the Drop-In Centre largely live with their guardians who may not know how to read and write. These inabilities have negatively affected the children, making it difficult for the children to attain an education. Thabang has instituted and forged ahead with Saturday classes in addition to the daily homework assistance afforded the children from Monday to Friday. A professional teacher helps the children on Saturday with their Mathematics and English. The children have hugely improved since these classes were started.
When it comes to skills development, the children learn to draw and paint at the Drop-In Centre as well as how to do traditional dances for their respective cultures. The centre would like to see the children participate in more social activities and sports. The vegetable garden has been unused this year as the centre is facing water shortage. These vegetables were given to needy households to supplement their diets and that of the Drop in Centre as well. The centre also faces a challenge when it comes to the documentation of the children as many children do not have the required
documents to register with the Department of Social Development to receive grants.
The Smash Block Parents and Guardians meet with the Thabang Social Worker and volunteers from Thabazimbi once a month for parenting skills training and support as well as craft classes. They get advice from the social worker, discuss their challenges with the other guardians and learn how to make things that they can sell for income. The Thabang staff visits the children’s guardians and parents on a regular basis to offer support; some of these guardians are chronically ill. Thabang also provides a monthly food parcel for the neediest households, ensuring that the guardians have nutritious food to provide for the children. The frequency and coverage of these food parcels is limited by availability of funds.
“Urgent fundraising is needed to enable the purchase of a pump which would be used to pump the water from the local water truck to the necessary garden tank. This would then allow for the vegetable garden to receive water.” - Tessa White, General Manager
“Thank you to everyone that has contributed to the running of the Drop in Centre. Donations in kind are always welcome; groceries, toiletries, cleaning materials etc.” - Glory Vilakazi, Drop in Centre Manager
The Annual Cycle Challenge: 947 Cycle Challenge
Thabang will again be taking part in the Telkom 947 Cycle Challenge on Sunday 19th November 2017 to raise awareness for the work that Thabang does as well as to raise funds. These funds raised will go towards buying the children clothes, casual and school uniform, school bags and shoes as well as ensuring that the environment at Thabang and the Drop in centre is conducive to learning.
How you can get involved:
Make a donation today which will entitle you to a tax deduction as Thabang is registered as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) and all donation made to us through GlobalGiving are Tax Deductable.
Send us materials, for craft, painting all anything that would empower the children. School Stationery. If you are in America you are welcome to visit, take part in the Blue Bags innitiative.
For more information contact Tessa White at admin@thabang.org or +2783 296 6940.
Volunteers are always WELCOME
If you cycle, cycle for a cause, raise funds and tell us what we should do with them.
Thank You for your continuing support.
By Admire Kamonere | Administration Manager
By Admire Kamonere | Admin Manager
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
