PROGRESS REPORT DECEMBER 2008
Once again, thanks to the donations made by the donors of the Argus x 2 fundraiser in March 2007, the crèche has continued to be supported financially. This has been a year of growth all round. We saw the crèche extended, the staff trained and the kiddies educated!
The number of children attending remain between 75 - 89 and although there are a few babies, Mirriam has pushed the starting year to at least 1 years old.
As mentioned before the Masikhulisane Creche finds itself in the middle of a very vulnerable community resulting in the children at the crèche affected by poverty, HIV and unemployment. There were 9 orphans in the centre during 2008, of which 4 will attend school next year. Mirriam has committed to keep in touch with the orphans next year and plans on involving them in dance lessons.
Great progress has been made with the teaching staff. As you know, prior to the involvement of Argus X 2 many of the staff were on a stipend and untrained. Great strides have been made in equipping the teachers which ultimately benefit the children.
2008 saw the graduation of 30 of the Grade R children who celebrated their graduation in dance, drama and song on 15 November 2008. Thanks to the Argus x 2, this is the first year of graduates who will be equipped to tackle Grade 1. Prior to graduating they were invited by Radio Zibonele in Khayletisha to go on air saying rhymes, greeting listeners and interacting.
Progress continues to be made in the registration of the Creche.
As an auxillary social worker, Mirriam pays house visits throughout the year to the families, helping access diability grants, dealing with social issues like alcohol abuse and HIV and abandoned children. She also does referrals to social services of neglected and abused children. There are so many issues. One 80 year old granny lives on her pension grant and is supporting 21 family members, most of whom are her HIV positive children or the children of those that have died. Through donations we have been able to support her with 25kg of rice and beans on an as-needed basis. She is so grateful and such a beautiful Godly woman.
This year saw donations coming in from Life Church (associated to ARC), the ARC, Anton de Waal, Feedback and of course the Argus x 2. The children returned after the 2007 December holidays to find the crèche had been extended on now there was one large room to work in and new kiddies toilets were added, a a big thanks to Argus x 2! Although every gift is a blessing, the most enjoyable for the children was a R10 000 jungle gym from a Life Church donor. This has also given the kids the opportunity at play time to exercise their little muscles and rid themselves of that extra energy. Other welcoming donations was the generous donation of vibocrete walls to secure the crèche from Anton de Waal and the weekly support of food from Feedback. Other donations included towels from Life Church, toys and a tri-cycle for a 2 year old from ARC, and other items from the Argus x 2 donation including a DVD player, educational DVDs, and 20 plastic chairs to hold parents meetings.
There is still work to be done on the building of the crèche, mainly general maintenance and the tiling of the bathroom walls and floor. There is a lot of wear and tear on the floors and walls especially. This holidays will see both the floors and walls upgraded.
One of the heart warming things is how the Creche is able to give back. Mirriam ensures that all extra veggies and fruit be given to the HIV+ children, orphans and grannies (as well as clothing). They also support the TB/HIV support group held at the clinic across the road with bread rolls.
Once again we thank you for your support and prayers.
