Mikes Report :: Nancy's Report :: Magret's Report :: Education Committee Report ::

Mikes Report

I trust that you are all enjoying good health and the blessings of God Almighty upon you. Our spring newsletter is loaded with interviews, information, reports etc., which I hope will be an inspiration and encouragement to continue in your partnership with us - as we seek to fulfill our God given mission in providing quality care to the children at the Centre.

Most South Africans are familiar with the insert on the SABC 3 prime time news channel titled TOUCHING LIVES. The idea is to connect the “haves” in our country with the South African “have nots'' who are in desperate need. What saddens me is the increase in the number of charitable organisations like orphanages and shelters, some with as many as 100 -150 children, who are on the brink of closure due to the lack of donor funding. This is certainly an indication of the difficult economic pressure that not only locals, but the internationalcommunity lives under. This is all the more reason why your support, prayers and involvement mean so much to me. It is my prayer that your efforts will continue well into the future.

Recently I was greatly encouraged by a passage that I read in a book titled “Making Connections that Work”, by Robert Fergusson. He says “The early 1930's in Australia in common with numerous other nations including the USA were in a time of economic depression. The numbers of unemployed increased daily and by 1933 one third of the breadwinners in Sydney, Australia were jobless; as a result many people suffered extreme hardships. The depression was a time of disillusionment, anguish and hopelessness. People lost faith in major institutions like the banks and government to provide solutions. In a time like this while employers demanded greater sacrifice, the clergy preached inevitable judgment and the politicians offered empty theories, the civil engineers built a bridge across Sydney harbour. In a world awash with empty hopes here at last was something real and tangible and in March 1932 it is estimated that as many as three quarter of a million people came to watch the opening ceremony''. Fergusson concludes by saying in times of depression people with vision build bridges I believe that the Empire State building in New York City was built during the depression at about the same time as the Sydney harbour bridge. May we be challenged in the midst of a gloomy economic climate to invest in the building of broken lives.

From two of the reports you will realise that things are not well with several of the children at the Centre in spite of the hard work by the staff and volunteers. This is due to their background and the trauma that they experience, which often leaves scars. There is no “quick fix'' solution to their many problems, but I believe patience and perseverance together with loving care will eventually lead to victory.

How can you help

We would love you to participate in the upcoming “study week'' that will be held from 3 - 7 October. This is an important occasion as it prepares the children for their final exams. It would be helpful if church leaders and business corporations would see this as part of their social outreach program and promote it. Since schools will be closed during this week it will be an excellent opportunity for professional educators to commit a day a week to this ministry.

Due to financial pressure a few of our donors are unable to continue in their support. As a result this has caused a tremendous strain on our monthly operational costs. We are presently operating on a deficit and I hope this will change for the better soon. Furthermore we are inundated with calls to take in more children on a regular basis as the need out there is so great. It is with sadness that we have to turn folks away. Our plans for expansion into the Freedom Park informal settlement is on hold ,which I hope is temporarily until such time sufficient funds are available to commence.

I have been approached by the governing body of Sibekewe Primary school to come under the umbrella of the Care Centre. This is a private school with 480 children that receives no government funding and was established 10 years ago by the local community. Their request is to subsidise the salaries of all the educators among several other financial needs. Unfortunately we are not in a position to help presently.

Finally please join me in praying for Christ like compassion to continue in reaching out to those desperate children under our care and beyond with the assurance that “He who began the good work in you, will bring it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus'”. Philippians 1;6

Blessings

Mike

Nancy's Report

We currently have 47 children at the Centre. Four of the children, Chashleen, Nicole, Tebogo and Ashley have left the Centre in July to be with their families. 3 New children have joined us, Lonwabo 11 months, Siphiwe 2 years and Precious 2 years. Their mothers are teenagers who stay at Home of Hope in Berea.

Three of the girls have been assessed and need extra help in English with a remedial teacher. They are all attending group therapy at Johannesburg Parent and Child Counseling Centre in Berea. One of the girls attends Saturday classes at Rose-Act. There are on-going assessments for the children at JPCCC, the Johannesburg Hospital, Sci Bono Discovery and the Emthonjeni Centre. Some of the recommendations that we are following up on for the children are paediatric occupational therapy, play therapy, eye testing, medical assessment for ADHD, speech and language therapy, career counseling.

One of our 2 year old boys has hearing difficulties and the Johannesburg hospital will sponsor him with a hearing aid and he will received speech therapy at the Hillbrow Hospital. Lyn from Hi Hopes will be coming in to teach sign language to the children and the staff.

Two Student Psychologists are doing Community Service with the staff and teenagers. 6 Staff members attended Step Parenting program facilitated by the child and family unit at the Johannesburg Hospital.

The three new children have been tested for HIV and TB at Big Shoes. Their results were negative. They were immunized at Yeoville Clinic. All our children between 3 and 12 years old had their eyes tested at Spec Savers in Killarney and a fortnight later our teenagers also had their eyes tested by Spec Savers.

For regular checkups we use Yeoville Clinic, the Johannesburg Hospital, the Hillbrow Hospital and Dr Harryprasadh for emergencies.

God Bless

Nancy

Magret, education manager

Children in the creche

Schools closed on 24th June 2011. From Monday 27th June to Friday 1 July the Scripture Union Johannesburg had a program lined up for Care Centre, from 8 am until 3 pm every day. All the children participated in the devotion, discussion, crafts and outdoor activities. We discussed different life skill such as Self Esteem, Love, Decision Making and Anger Management. We hope everyone benefited from the discussions. Thank you to Sister Thembi and her team.

During the 1st week of July, 16 children attended Rosebank Union Church holiday Club. The leaders were very energetic and every morning children were eager to go and enjoy themselves. During the same week 6 teenagers Thoko, Nneheng, Dibuseng, Moeketsi, Neo Elias, together with Sarah Mahlo the Care Worker, attended a course at South African Chef. The skills that were taught were implemented at the Centre the very next day! Everyone was eager to show their newly acquired skills in the kitchen and they made pancakes, vetkoek, muffins, and bread. With these skills these teenagers can help at the Centre and may use them to earn a living one day.

Homework Lessons with Magret

The last week of the holidays was study week. Revision and consolidation of concepts was done. Work books were used and all learners had individual help. Volunteers played a very important role. Isobel, Mary Anne, Ellen, Nicole, Jessica and others dedicated themselves for the week and learners benefited so much. Ntombizodwa Letta, who attends Sizwile School for the deaf, was also privileged to have a tutor (Nthabiseng, a sign language student at Wits). She worked with Zodwa and Nkosana during the course of the study week. To these volunteers and others whose names I did not mention I say may the Lord bless you and remember your labour is not in vain. Our Father in heaven will bless you. Study week provides individual assistance to learners who are usually in a class of 30 – 40 learners. During this week learners are in 4-6 in a group and so there is effective interaction and learning.

During the course of the term we have homework and study sessions. Volunteers from Roedean Girls School and University of Witwatersrand come regularly to assist learners. Isobel Tudor, Josephine (retired high school Sizwile School for the deaf, was also privileged to have a tutor (Nthabiseng, a sign language student at Wits). She worked with Zodwa and Nkosana during the course of the study week. To these volunteers and others whose names I did not mention I say may the Lord bless you and remember your labour is not in vain. Our Father in heaven will bless you. Study week provides individual assistance to learners who are usually in a class of 30 – 40 learners. During this week learners are in 4-6 in a group and so there is effective interaction and learning.

Homework Lessons with Magret

The Pre- School lays a foundation in the educational life of children. We have other children who are excelling in their studies because of the foundation that was laid in their pre-school years. Angela and Napo are such examples who got sponsorship to attend McAuley House. Amahle Dangazela also benefitted and this is her teacher’s comment in her latest school report “Amahle is the smallest in the class but she is the cleverest and toughest. Dynamite does come in small packages. Well done!” Ms. Van Greene Fairview School.

May God continue to bless us in this Ministry.

Magret

PROGRESS REPORT BY EDUCATION COMMITTEE JUNE 2011
compiled by; Margret Khumalo and Mary-Anne Liebenberg

Presently the Centre provides accommodation, education, counselling etc to 48 kids between the ages of 2-19 15 kids were reunited with relatives/extended families who are now in a better position to provide for them

1.SCHOOL ENROLMENTS

35 kids are attending at 12 different schools in the area. While some walk to school others have to be transported. The breakdown is as follows;

3 KIDS RECEIVE SPECIALISED EDUCATION

4 KIDS WILL BE ENROLLED IN HIGH SCHOOL NEXT YEAR

2 KIDS WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO SPECIAL SCHOOLS THAT CATER FOR KIDS WITH LEARNING BARRIERS

The preschool has 5 kids under the leadership of Margaret a qualified educator.

2. EDUCATION FOR KIDS WHO SHOW EXCELLENT EMOTIONAL /ACADEMIC /SPORTING POTENTIAL

The 3 kids that attend a private school [McCauley House] have been sponsored because they are showing excellent academic potential

Looking for sponsorship for a few other kids

3 SCHOOLS FOR KIDS WITH LEARNING BARRIERS

Zodwa is growing in confidence as she attends a school for the deaf. Her brother Nkosana's ear is in the process of being assessed as he to struggles to hear properly. Chasleen and Elias both attend a school that offers counselling by a qualified psychologist on the staff. Presently both receive counselling on a weekly basis. Tsepang and Margaret have both been assessed and need to be transferred to a remedial school next year

4 CAREER GUIDANCE FOR GRADE 9 -12

These kids have been assessed by Sci-Bono a branch of the Dept.of Education that specialises in career guidance .Recommendations are then made by them on what career will suit kids best. The Education committee will assist in putting a plan of action in consultation with the kids. Exit policy for kids over 18 are constantly being discussed. The committee seeks bursaries/ donations to help them achieve their academic goals.

5 STUDY WEEK

1 study week was held during the Easter holidays and 1 is planned for the June school holidays. With the help of volunteers the kids are helped in various subjects with a view of preparing them for the exams. The results show that these study times prove to be helpful to the kids.

6 DAILY HOMEWORK /ASSIGNMENT SUPERVISION

Since several of the kids struggle academically a programme is run every afternoons during week days from 3;30-5;00 to assist. Several volunteers offer their services

7.GIVE ME WINGS

This is a recent initiative and the aim is to help kids discover their talents/gifts and use it to serve others. This had led to a few teens developing a vegetable garden patch that provides ``greens' for the kitchen. One of the teenage girls is now into bead making and has made several items.

8.LIBRARY.COMPUTER AND BOOK CLUB

Staff manage this department every afternoon and ensure that the kids make good use of the books,computers and other equipment provided for them.

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PROGRESS REPORT BY NANCY [SOCIAL WORKER]

THERAPY

Gift,Andries,Sifundo and Solomon are under Psycho Educational Assessment and the report recommends that they receive weekly ``play therapy'' at Wits University under trained counsellors.

Amahale,Itumeleng Nicole and Nolubabalo are already receiving the above therapy which is proving helpful to them Margaret receives weekly counselling from the Johannesburg Parent and Child Counselling Centre Chasleen, Lindo and Mazibuko receives weekly counselling at their respective schools Margaret and Tshepang were assessed by a counsellor at Johannesburg Hospital and the recommendation is that they attend a remedial school next year.

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MINISTRY

Staff and teens attend a weekly support group session by a qualified Christian counsellor. A weekly Bible Study is conducted for the teens by REACH FOR LIFE organisation. The kids and staff all attend Christ Church on Sundays and youth and kids related activities regularly During the school holidays special meetings are conducted by Scripture Union for both the kids and staff

MEDICAL /HEALTH

Margaret and Tshepang are on Ritalin [ADHD -hyperactive] which they receive from Jo'burg hospital

4 kids are HIV positive and receive ARV treatment

Zesuliwe receives eczema treatment from a dermatologist

Lindo is recovering from a hand operation.

Nkosani is undergoing a hearing test by an audiologist and receives Speech therapy from Jo'burg hospital

Puseletso will undergo and eye operation on 19 July at Jo'burg hospital.

2 kids have completed a course of medication for TB

CONCLUSION

The above info .helps in understanding a little of the tremendous pressure under which the staff work in dealing with the various needs of the kids. This requires dedication , commitment and above all a compassionate and patient attitude.

We employ 2 fulltime drivers and very often Nancy has to help also with so much of daily travelling to therapy, hospitals/clinics.schools etc.

I hope that these 2 reports will be an `eye opener'' which will give you a little of what goes on in the life of the Centre on a daily basis.

I have not included the sporting events that kids have to attend and participate regularly. Outings/picnics that we organise,regular visitors/supporters who want to interact with the kids. etc

Hope this will stimulate you to unceasing prayer and regular support

Mike

BANK DETAILS
Christ Church Christian Care Centre :: ABSA :: Branch 514205 :: Account 4056086278