Provide nutrition for 500 families in South Africa

LESSONS FROM A PENGUIN

In September this year our Grade 7 class had the opportunity to visit SANCCOB, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving seabirds. They learnt about ocean conservation and had tremendous fun watching the penguins waddle around!

We had a lovely guide that walked us through their premises, sharing facts and special stories along the way. He pointed at a sweet little penguin and said how that particular one had come to them when he was only a little chick.

One of our learners asked the guide why the chick’s parents abandoned him.

“Most likely they went foraging for food and never returned.” he replied. He explained that a primary cause of the African Penguin's decline is a lack of available food due to climate change, made worse by competition from commercial fishing around its breeding colonies, which impacts the species' survival and breeding success.

And so, a little chick found its way to a safe haven, where he is thriving now, thanks to the goodness of others.

It made me think of all the people and children in Missionvale who come to us on a daily basis. Many are facing some of life’s harshest storms.

Because of your faithful contributions to our nutrition program, we are able to provide a shelter of care, love, compassion and hope. This project remains the backbone of every other activity we have, and it is because of your generosity that we are able to continue it. We are so, so grateful to you for remembering the wonderful people in our community and for having the heart and the passion to recognize and address their most critical need.

Our heartfelt thanks goes to each and every one of you. May you and your loved ones enjoy a blessed festive season and everything that is wonderful for 2025!

With love from all of us at Missionvale Care Centre

PS: Sharing a few other lessons from penguins:

1. Walking slowly is one of the best ways to move. We're often in too big a hurry. Waddling is the right rhythm for those who want to savor all that is going on around them
2. Stand tall, and do not let the forces of nature torment you or bring you down.
3. In courting rituals, try bowing to the one you love. It is a sign of both tenderness and respect.
4. Huddling together in a circle is one of the best ways to handle tough times when the winds of change knock you for a loop or you just need to be close to the warmth of another in times of suffering.
5. All of us have a nurturing instinct within us and part of the spiritual task of life is to draw it out in as many ways as possible.
6. We all need some play time and that usually happens in a milieu that enables us to let go and do what comes naturally.
7. Each of us has a distinct voiceprint. Use it well to sing a loving song to the ones who are near and dear to you.

-        Source: https://www.openhorizons.org/the-penguin-my-teacher-seven-life-lessons.html

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