Educating the Thabang Children

The year 2017 started on a positive note for Thabang Children’s Project with the boys’ and girls’ centres having been unified on one site after the girls moved to the boys’ location towards the end of 2016. The girls adjusted smoothly to their new surroundings although they missed the lovely big trees of the previous site.
All the children have steadily grown through the year, emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually.
The administration building with classrooms and the event / skills development centre were also completed in 2017, improving the efficiency of running the project.

Achievements:
The children have achieved quite a lot this year, academically and socially. The Gumboot dancers and the Marimba Band took part in the local Eisteddfod Talent Show and brought back winners’ medals and both teams scored 95%. The singing girls also did amazingly well getting a winner’s medal, and high percentages. The Advanced College students all received certificates of merit for their academic and / or cultural participations during the year, with one of our girls being chosen as Head Girl for 2018. Through the many outings and events throughout the year, many friends were made.

A few were also “lost” as some boys moved on from Thabang into their adult life, getting jobs as well as places to stay of their own. Thabang is still in touch with them through the Independent Living Programme. Contributions to this program are welcome as there is no other source of funds for the children that are not covered by the Department of Social Development once leaving a place of care due to age. Simply reference ILP or living program when you make your donation, or send some kitchen utensils and furniture for the children to use when they exit. One boy is going to college next year and could use the support.

Drop in Centre (DiC):
In November 2017, the DiC bid farewell to one of Thabang’s long serving servants, MaMtsodo who retired. She celebrated her birthday with the children that celebrated their birthdays in the fourth quarter. A farewell celebration was held in November to wish her all the best with the rest of her journey and celebrate the huge contributions she had made to Thabang and the children of Smash Block. MaMtsodo we salute you.
The DiC celebrated the birthdays of the children that attended the centre on a quarterly basis. The centre was joined by children that were taking part in the Jacaranda talent show in August, who brought presents and helped in marking and celebrating the occasion.
The DiC celebrated Christmas on Friday 17th November 2017. The 45 children that attend daily were hosted by Khumba Iron Ore who provided the cake and food. The children received Christmas presents and clothes from Khumba Iron Ore, as well as clothes from Shofar Christian Church.

Shofar members joined Thabang at the Community Care Centre to celebrate Christmas on Saturday 25th November 2017. 270 children from the Smash Block community attended the event where they were entertained and received party packs compliments of Shofar. Thabazimbi Spar provided hot dogs and cake on the day. Pick ‘n Pay, Thabazimbi also provided a large cake to enable every child to receive a special treat.

Heritage Day:
Lots of fun and laughter was had by about 150 participants who joined our celebration of traditions for Heritage Day on the 25th September 2017.
Traditional clothes, traditional dances and songs were shared by all and then the day was rounded off with some traditional dishes, such as “Magudu” (tripe), pap (stiff porridge) and “Ting” (sour porridge), Marogo (spinach)
and Potjie-kos (stew cooked on a fire in a cast iron pot). The traditional Afrikaans desert of Malva pudding left everyone with a sweet after taste. This day was also a public day for visitors to come and look around and see what Thabang Children’s Project offers. Visitors came from all around and even as far as Polokwane!

Thabang Marimba Band:
This wonderful set of instruments continues to inspire and delight Thabang’s children. Those who play it love to feel the music flow through their veins as they nimbly play the tunes. Their delight is shown on their faces and in their dancing feet. This enjoyment is shared by any audience where performances are held. During the August Eisteddfod competition held in Thabazimbi, Thabang’s Marimba band ran away with the first prize of 95%!!
The Marimba also plays a big part in the Therapeutic programme for the children. They receive a chance to express themselves and gain confidence. For those who are not part of the main team, they work hard at their behaviour to ensure a chance to learn and join the team.

The Painting Games:
Sebastian Ansorge again visited Thabang in October this year. This time he set up a “Place of Painting” at the new Klipgat site. Unfortunately, the previous painting room was left behind when the Roodedam site was sold.
Having raised funds, he managed to buy the necessary materials to start up this wonderful programme again.
This programme encourages the children to explore the corners of their minds and allow their imaginations to flow through their paintbrushes. These expressions bring satisfaction and are also part of a therapeutic process for each child. The children at the Smash Block Drop in Centre were delighted to have Sebastian with them again. They thoroughly enjoyed the week’s programme of painting especially as they were on school holiday. This is a wonderful manner in keeping these bored children off the streets and in a protective and developmental environment.

Tonsillectomy:
Some of Thabang’s children have been struggling with infected tonsils which do not seem to clear up even with treatment. One young girl in specific had such problems and with the support of the local Medi-Clinic hospital and doctors, she received a tonsillectomy. She is now bright and sparky without constantly feeling ill.

Thabang Cycling Team 2017:
This amazing Team comprising of individuals with different cycling capabilities and levels of training took to the streets of Johannesburg in the hope of raising awareness and funds for the work that Thabang does. The members were truly visible and their efforts could be seen as they moved through the city.
Our congratulations go out to all who took part as they all finished the race. Thank you for coming to the party. Our thanks also go to those who registered but were not able to make it on the day of the event. A special thank you to those who have been part of the team for the past three years.
We hope to see you all at the next edition - Sunday 18 November 2018.

THANK YOU!!!
2017 has come to an END!
Wow, what a year of development and accomplishments!
We are so grateful to all our donors and sponsors who supported Thabang’s children in so many varied ways. Through financial support, regular food supplies, various free services including volunteers, donations of clothes, specially baked cakes, food parcels, specially selected gifts for the children etc. Without you, we would not have been able to impact the lives of all these children.

THANK YOU AND MAY YOU ALL HAVE A BLESSED AND A WONDERFUL 2018.

Links:

• Facebook
• Twitter