Start a Preschool for 60 Children in South Africa

As we head into the last weeks of the school year, I wanted to share a couple of special things that have happened recently at Siyabonga. Overall everything is going smoothly, though as usual one of our biggest challenges is funding. Still, we were able to increase our enrollment this year to 124 children, and it has been fairly steady throughout the year – a good sign.

The children had the opportunity to visit a local cheese farm recently. There they learned all about the care of the animals and the making of cheese. The children had the opportunity to feed and milk the goats and to taste the cheese made there. The children really enjoyed seeing some of the animals they’ve been reading about in class – cows, geese, chickens, and goats - and getting the chance for a hands-on experience with them.

In September, we finally started the parenting program we have been wanting to do for years. We are meeting once a week, with 24 parents participating. Hopefully, we will be able to expand the number of parents we can accommodate next year. The intent of the program is to discuss early childhood development and how to support children’s development at home. We also plan to discuss the importance of good nutrition. Additionally, we hope the program will provide a space for parents to share their challenges and concerns and support each other. One of the major concerns that has been raised so far is the amount of crime in the community, something I was not really aware of. While the program is designed to educate and support the parents of our students, it will also help me to better understand the community we serve.

Thank you again for all your support! We could not do what we do without your help. I know all our staff, our board, and our parents are deeply grateful for your generosity and caring.

All the best,

Khethiwe