Children’s Unit
Perhaps the most exciting thing about ‘turning 5’ is that we’ve been able to receive four new children into the unit which means that we are nearly at capacity. It’s great to see the unit bustling with life – although it’s keeping the House Moms on their toes, especially since three of the new boys are brothers and the other new admission suffers severely with FASD.
The three-year-old boy who arrived here last month has had to spend the past three weeks in hospital. Although he is back with us now the hospital are still battling to determine exactly what he is suffering with. They think it might be a strain of TB usually only found in adults and he is going back for more tests this week, the results of which will hopefully help to determine a
treatment plan. The doctors and staff at the hospital have been wonderful with him and they didn’t want him to leave which is always lovely to hear.
Our three-year-old girl who has Cerebral Palsy has been doing extremely well and was able to stand and try and take a step independently which is amazing! She has come on so far and although some of the medical professionals think it is extremely likely she may not walk on her own we are continuing to work with her and encourage her as far as she can go. When she first arrived it was hard to believe she would ever sit up on her own and we know that miracles can happen! She is a very determined little one and making fantastic progress. Please hold her up in your prayers.
Sports
In the last month, not only have we began our eighth sports club in a new part of the town, but we have also welcomed a new sports mentor to the existing group. Sharon has been working with the younger children (under nines) at four separate clubs, showing a desire to aid them in their development.
We have also started working with two new Good Sport graduates, recruited by Boniface, over the past three weeks. They perform a similar role to Boni, working closely with the very young (under 6's) in order to increase their motor skills and develop their co-ordination. It’s wonderful to be able to offer some stimulation and attention to the younger children who are so desperate to join in the clubs.
With a total of 17 sports mentors and eight sports clubs, the sports outreach programme has seen a big progression over the past 12 months, with more and more members of the community showing a strong desire to help the children from their town.
It was particularly encouraging to have a older member of the community approach us during one of the clubs to commend us for the work we are doing. It doesn’t happen often but helps us to know that we are appreciated and wanted!
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Emma and Johan continue to do a fantastic job for our Rainbow Smiles support group. They took the group out for a treat day at the beach to make the most of the last days of summer. Everyone had a wonderful time. They’ve also made one of the older boys a group leader in the hope that giving him more responsibility will help his behaviour but also encourage the rest of the group that they have someone to relate to who is going through similar experienes.
Other News:
The Themablitsha Big Buck$ Bike Ride:
Entries have opened for the bike ride event happening in Aylesbury on 14th June. There are challenges suitable for novices as well as those more seasoned cyclists. Both the distances are circular and culminate in a celebratory BBQ for everyone in the afternoon. Please make every effort to support this event either by taking part, sponsoring the riders or volunteering on the day. For more details visit the Thembaltisha Foundation Facebook page or email bikeride@thembalitshauk.org.uk
Volunteers:
We said goodbye to Gundi, a lovely German lady who came to serve with us for three months. She has proved invaluable in assisting our girl with Cerebral Palsy as she adjusted to pre-school and we will miss her a lot
How You Can Help
We are never short of ideas on how you can help us out!!!!
• Become a regular monthly giver - Regular givers are like gold dust to us!!!
• Fundraise – Commit to shave your head, host a quiz night, do a sporting event!!!!! – The possibilities are endless and can raise R10000s with enough enthusiasm!
• Pray – need we say more?!
For more information contact us fundraiser@thembalitsha.org.za
Volunteering
We rely heavily on committed volunteers to do the stuff here in South Africa. It can be a fantastic way to give (and receive!) However, we do have some criteria you have to meet in order to apply. For more information on volunteering for Thembalitsha please check out our website or email us at volunteer@thembalitsha.org.za.
Also, please do NOT book ANY flights before your application form has been accepted. Thank you!
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