Start a Preschool for 60 Children in South Africa

Donate to Siyabonga July 12 on the GlobalGiving website. If you give at 9:00am EDT or soon after, GlobalGiving will match your contribution up to 50%.

We have just completed our second term of the year and are on break for a few weeks. Thanks to all of you for making it possible for us to continue to provide quality care and education to the 70 children enrolled in our program. You are all part of the community supporting these children and allowing them to dream of a brighter future. Recently, we conducted a career activity with our four-year olds. We were pleased to hear so many express an interest in teaching, and we were proud that most every child wants to do something that would help others. Here is what we heard from the children pictured above (from left to right): Minenhle would like to be a nurse, Qiniso wants to be a teacher, Njabulo would like to be a doctor, Thandolwethu and Sandisiwe both want to be a teachers, Amahle wants to be a nurse, Melokuhle a teacher, and Sandile would like to be a doctor.

We are doing monthly assessments this year, which enables us to identify and address the developmental needs of our children. I also have been visiting the families of the children to ensure we are meeting their needs and to hear how the children are doing at home. The teachers and I were encouraged by the positive feedback we received.

• The grandmother of one student, Xolelwa, said she is amazed how much her granddaughter’s English has improved this year.
• Sibongokuhle’s parents are both unemployed. They have four children and struggle to put food on the table. They are very grateful that Sibongokuhle is able to get nutritious meals at Siyabonga. They are happy with the academic progress their child is making as well.
• Mpendulo lives with her maternal grandmother. The family survives on the old-age pension and child-support grant they receive. Like many in our community, Mpendulo’s mother left the area to look for employment. The food we provide to Mpendulo at the Centre is of great help to the family. The grandmother told me she is very pleased that Mpendulo is doing so well at school.

Overall, parents and guardians are pleased with the progress their children are making and thankful their children are able to attend Siyabonga.

All of us at the Centre and the families in our community are grateful for your continued contributions, which are an investment in our children’s futures. We are hoping we can count on you again to help us raise the funds we need to complete this year.

On July 12th, your donations to Siyabonga Early Childhood Education Centre through GlobalGiving will have an even greater impact: If you make a donation during GlobalGiving’s annual bonus day, Siyabonga can receive matching funds of up to 50%.  The event begins at 9:00am EDT on July 12 and will last until matching funds run out (this often happens quickly, so please give as soon after 9:00 as you can).

Thank you!