Educating the Thabang Children

2016 was an amazing year for Thabang as the long anticipated and hoped for merger of the two centres into one finally occurred. We are looking forward to 2017, new school for the children and new development programmes, not to mention challenges.

Events from the last four months of 2016:

School Holiday Program:

The Drop in Centre ran a holiday school program for the Drop in Centre children with the Thabang remedial teacher attending and assisting in the program and development of the children. As a result there has been a marked improvement in many of the children’s academic progress, especially their mathematics.

Mandela Day Celebrations:

A variety of companies and people are always ready to spread the Mandela spirit and when it comes to Mandela day then Thabang’s doors are always open, especially at the Drop in centre where Thabang is always trying to encourage the community to take ownership. On the 18th July, Shoprite's Northam branch came with a cake and lunch for the children, to encourage the children and show them that they had not been forgotten.

Anglo American shaft number one, came on 15 July and brought some goodies and fleece blankets for the children, and spent some time with the children, motivating them to strive higher.

Consolidation: Handover of girl’s residence

The 30th September was a special and long awaited day for the Thabang Children’s Project. After much planning and negotiating , Thabang was fortunate to have the support of the Dikuno Tsa Sechaba Community Development Trust to build a new girl’s residence at the site where the boy’s always resided.
The Thabang Child and Youth Care Centre for boys and girls will now be accommodated on one site - Klipgat. This initiative was necessary in order to aim for future sustainability. Thabang is very appreciative for this support from Dikuno Tsa Sechaba. This Trust also strengthens other programmes within Thabang e.g. the Social Work programme and the Drop in Centre programme within Smash Block..

Excursions:

Marakele Animal Sanctuary:

The children went to Marakele Animal Sanctuary in July. A group of boys and girls, and Thabang staff were invited to the Animal Sanctuary where they were treated to an experience of a life time. They witnessed the feeding of the animals and were also able to see major predators (Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Tiger and Hyenas) up close. The children and staff particularly enjoyed the white lions and tigers as well as the feeding. The drive in the Lion mobile was an experience that they will never forget. After the tour the children had lunch and a wonderful time in the playing area at the centre. The excursion was donated by the owners, the Hodges.

Moruleng Mall:

The children that were not on holiday during the July school holiday went to the Moruleng mall for an excursion. They spent the day “shopping” and playing at the children’s park, and thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Thank you to all those who support Thabang and have invested in our children.

Capitec Bank:

Capitec bank visited Thabang on 30th July 2016 and spent a day with the boys and girls. They brought paint and painted the Jungle gym at the Youth Centre, played a variety of sports with the children and braaied with the children. There was a social buzz as some of the Capitec staff also brought their children.

Heritage Day:

The Thabang Children’s Project celebrated Heritage Day in style on 24 September 2016. The children gave a wonderful presentation on the importance of honouring the heritage and culture of different people in the Thabazimbi community. In the spirit of honouring all the different cultures and traditions in Thabazimbi, the day was celebrated with the proverbial melting pot filled with traditional colour, sound and tastes. It was all about unity, by sharing and celebrating our differences, from colourful traditional attire and fascinating meals to captivating games and joyful dances. Among the traditional dishes on the menu were some of the most discussed meals in South Africa such as mopani worms, Samp with peanuts, “afval” and sago pudding. Dancers of all ages, gumboot dancers and marimba players provided entertainment while games such as tug of war were waged.

Annual General Meeting:

The Thabang Children’s Project’s AGM was held on Wednesday 31st August 2016 at the NG Kerk Hall in Thabazimbi were the members of the community were wowed by the Thabang Marimba Band.

Birthday celebrations at Drop in Centre:

The Drop in centre celebrates birthdays of the attending children on a quarterly basis and Spar Thabazimbi has taken it upon them to help in the celebrations by donating four cakes for the four celebrations. The first donation was received on 30th August and the children enjoyed the day. This is always a memorable day in the lives of the children as most of them would have never known the joy of celebrating their birth without this initiative from Thabang.

Links:

• For more information on what Thabang Children's Project is and d