Provide nutrition for 500 families in South Africa

Dear friends

We have just celebrated "Mandela Month" - Nelson Mandela would have celebrated his 100th birthday on the 18th of July this year.  It has become customary in South Africa to do something to uplift one's community on that day for a period of 67 minutes - one minute for each year he spent in the fight against Apartheid.

Here at the Care Centre we celebrated the day with volunteers from all around our city coming to assist us with our daily operations.  It was a wonderful ocassion and you can see pictures of it on our Facebook Page (link below).

Each volunteer chose a unit / area to be stationed at for the duration of their volunteering time.  It is a great way for them to experience our work first hand.  Unfortunately, they only see one part of the Centre when there are so many.  Similarly, through our reports on our nutrition and wellness unit, you only learn about that one part of us when there is so much more.  One hundred percent of your contributions through Global Giving are directed to this program, but we would like to share with you, how this unit integrates into the some other parts of the Care Centre.

NORMOYLE PRIMARY SCHOOL:  

Our school is an independent community school that believes in teaching whole life education as a vehicle for community transformation and upliftment.  While the main focus is on children, the school also focuses on equipping parents / guardians as well as youth and adult basic education.

We teach the 3 H’s which are:
HEAD (Academics)
HEART (Character and moral values)
HANDS (Skills, physical education, music, arts and culture)

We believe that teaching these will result in well-balanced productive citizens who will make positive contributions in the community.

The school runs from Junior Grade R – Grade 7 and accommodates 270 learners.

Extra Mural Activities include:  Chess, Choir, Music, Ballroom Dancing, Sport

None of the above would be possible if the children did not have something to eat.  Thank you for meeting that critical need for them.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Our after-school program helps provide children a fun, safe and enriching alternative to life on the streets after school with the goal to strengthen their ability to face the harsh reality that has been dealt to them. In addition to educational and sports activities the children receive a sandwich and juice. This part of the program is so important because many of these children will not be given a proper meal until the next day when they come to the Centre again.

HEALTH CARE 

The objective of the Community Health and Development Unit is to serve the patients in Missionvale by providing direct access to the services of a volunteer doctor and our registered nurse.  Integrated into the Medical Unit is our pharmacy.  From here we dispense medication to our patients under the supervision of a qualified pharmacist. 

We have a general clinic running three days per week, a women’s clinic on Fridays, physiotherapy and an eye clinic on Thursdays.  We also offer home based care to those too ill to come to the Centre.

Without nutrition, the medicine our patients receive is of no benefit.  You are making it possible for them to take their medication effectively!
     

Thank you for your continued belief in us and for your loyal contributions to this vital program in our Centre.