Start a Preschool for 60 Children in South Africa

As another school year ends and the children begin their summer holiday, I want to extend my sincere thanks to you for your support this past year. We would not be able to provide the services we do without your compassion and generosity. Your donations truly make a difference in the lives of the young people in our program and their families.

I am pleased to report that the year went smoothly for us and for the 97 children who attended our centre. We enjoyed several special days during the year, including National Youth Day and Heritage Day, and just held a graduation celebration for the 24 children who will be moving on to primary school next year. Our biggest challenge this year was caused by extreme weather events. After years of severe drought in our area, where the scarcity of water was a major concern for all of us, two times this year we experienced heavy rains and flooding that impacted not only the roads and bridges in our area but also many homes and some structures at our centre. We are still working to raise funds for needed repairs and to find a qualified contractor willing to come to our remote location.

As most of you know, our mission encompasses four goals:

• provide a positive, supportive, and enriching environment for children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development,
• provide a safe place for families to leave their young children while they work, seek work, or continue their education,
• provide healthy meals to ensure our children have the nutrition they need for healthy growth and development, and
• provide a school readiness curriculum that gives our students the foundation they need to be successful as they continue their education.

I recently had the opportunity to visit three families of former students and was pleased to hear they are all doing well in school. Two of the students are attending a multiracial school in Mtubatuba, the closest town to our centre. Mawenzi is just completing Grade R (kindergarten) and is doing well in all areas. She is independent and responsible, and also very creative. Nhlanzeko is seven years old and is also doing very well. He has gotten many achievement awards since he started school. Thandolwethu attended Siyabonga from 2017 to 2020. She is eight years old and just finished Grade 2. I was told she is one of the best English readers in her school. She has represented the school in competitions and has read for the whole school on special occasions. I also got feedback from another parent of a former student who is doing well in one of the best schools in Durban. We are very proud of all these students!

I would like to thank you again. Your support has been vital to our success, and we are deeply grateful for your partnership. You have truly helped to enrich the lives of all our students.

If you have not given recently, please consider a donation to Siyabonga as you do your year-end giving and help ensure we can continue to serve children in the upcoming year. Working together, we can create healthier and happier lives for children and their families.

 Warmest wishes for the new year,

 Khethiwe