Educating the Thabang Children

The last quarter of 2016 brought huge change for Thabang and its children. The goal of having the boys centre and the girls centre on one location was attained. A move that has brought the children closer together, especially the ones who had siblings at the other centre. The move has brought a better level of efficiency to the project with savings being recorded, especially in transportation costs and the water and light bills.

Drop in Centre:

The Drop in Centre at Smash Block was not affected by the move. However, at this centre, many functions and busy activities took place. The Drop in Centre closed the year with 40 needy children benefitting from the services rendered there.
On the 9th November the Drop in Centre kitchen was given an uplift and painted. Mr Mazibuko from the Smash Block community did the renovations and paint job.
On the 16th November 2016 the Drop in Centre received water tanks from Sunlight to enable the conservation and storage of water for the centre and the vegetable garden. Thanks to Glory’s initiative to enter the Sunlight competition!
On the 18th December the 40 Drop in Centre children celebrated Christmas with a cake from Thabazimbi Spar and groceries donated by Shoprite. Ten of the children also celebrated their birthdays and received presents. These children would not have celebrated their births without this Thabang initiative. Donations towards presents or in kind are always welcome. The children were given toiletry packs to take home for use during the December holidays. The Drop in Centre has operated thanks to the support from Dikuno Tsa Sechaba Community Development Trust.

On the 26th November, volunteers from SAVF, Shofar Christian Church, private individuals and Thabang came together to celebrate Christmas with the children from the Smash Block informal settlement. 351 children from the community attended the festivities and enjoyed cakes and snacks donated by Thabazimbi Spar and Pick N Pay.
The visiting outreach team donated lucky packs for the children, and led by the Drop in Centre staff encouraged the children to trust God, reading some motivational verses from the Bible.

Smash Block Guardian Support Group:

This group was started to enable the guardians/ parents of the orphans and vulnerable children in Smash Block, to meet together and receive trainings and motivational talks which are to empower them to support and nurture the children in their care. Besides the child care skills that they learn at the meeting, they also learn other arts and crafts which enable them to possibly make some income. During such meetings, Thabang’s Social Worker is available to provide one on one counselling.

Thabang Child & Youth Care Centre:

During October, the girls moved from the Roodedam site and joined the boys at the Klipgat site. Their new home is thanks to Dikuno Tsa Sechaba Community Development Trust. It took some time for them to adjust to their new surroundings, but with support from various sponsors, the surroundings were changed from a dry and dusty yard, to a cool, green garden. This move is for the future sustainability of the Centre.

Forever Resorts: Aventura Outing

The Drop in Centre children joined the children from Thabang Child and Youth Care Centre, at Forever Resorts (Aventura) for a day in the swimming pool. This annual trip, which is a highlight every year, was kindly funded by the Berlin Verein Group. 

Christmas Party:

As the year was drawing to an end, the children packed their clothes into their special donated bags, and prepared to go somewhere for the Festive season. Before they departed, they celebrated the closure of the year with a Christmas party which they shared with some of Thabang’s avid supporters and donors.

Carols by Candlelight & Musical Therapy:

On the 30 November 2016 the children attended the Spar carols by candlelight that was held outside Thabazimbi Spar. The Thabang Marimba Band entertained the audience.

The Thabang social worker (funded by Dikuno Tsa Sechaba Community Development Trust) has been working with
the children using music for therapy and development, especially with the toddlers who played percussion at the Spar carols by candlelight. There is a lot of raw talent at Thabang and many of the children identified will be entering into a Talent competition in 2017.

Thank You, Very Much:

Thabang is grateful to all those who make it possible to provide a home for the Thabang children and a place of support and stability for the children that come to the Drop in Centre in Smash Block.
To our directors and board members, thank you for your time and input in providing guidance and towards making necessary decisions.
To the donors that provide the funds and food necessary to keep the project running, without you all this would be a dream. Thank you very much.
To the volunteers, thank you very much. You give us so much hope and encouragement. The children look up to you and are encouraged that the community they came from has not forgotten them.
To our staff, we appreciate every effort you put in and every sacrifice you make. Thanks a lot

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