Start a Preschool for 60 Children in South Africa

Greetings from South Africa,

I am happy to report that I was finally able to make it over to Siyabonga this week after being unable to get there for several years. It was wonderful to see the children we support and observe how much they enjoy their time at the Centre. I spent time in each classroom and watched the children doing their lessons – singing and reciting their numbers, shapes, colors, alphabet, body parts, and more – and getting a chance to play. Such fun! I shared some pictures below that I took when I was there. I wish all of you could visit and see for yourself how much your donations mean to these children and their families. Plus, the children love to perform for company!

It was also good to get the chance to catch up with Khethiwe, Siyabonga's Director, in person and to see the staff, some of whom have been with us since we first opened in 2012. Khethiwe reported that things have been going well with the program since they opened for the school year in January but, unfortunately, they have had very heavy rains in the area again for the last month that have caused serious damage and even some deaths. Many people had yet to recover from the flooding last April and are now facing even more challenges. Khethiwe said that in addition to homes in the area, many schools were impacted. Siyabonga sustained some damage, though not as much as some others. We talked through a plan for completely replacing the roof and ceilings and doing other needed repairs to the building. The rain also impacts the student’s ability to get to the Centre since most roads in the area are mud. Only about half of the 97 children enrolled were there on Monday.

Please consider making a donation to help us provide additional support during these difficult times and to ensure there is continued funding for this critical program for children and their families.And this week your gift to Siyabonga will have an even bigger impact on our ability to help! Starting tonight at 9:00 pm PDT (12:00 am Monday EDT) through Friday, April 7, 8:59 pm PDT (11:59 pm EDT), all donations up to $50 will be matched at 50% by GlobalGiving during their Little by Little Campaign.

Thank you once again for the essential role you have played in the work of Thembanathi over the years. I am confident that the hundreds of children who have attended Siyabonga since it began have benefitted greatly from the support, education, and nutrition they received while there.

With deep gratitude and best wishes,

Helen

Project Director

helen@thembanathi.org