Well winter is definitely on it’s way and we are thankful that we have log fires to keep us warm on the colder days. We are also very thankful that we have our own supply of wood here on the farm thanks to our small plantation which has always been enough. The maintenance team (as they are now known!) Tim Berger, Heinrich and Johan have been kept busy cutting trees to keep our wood store replenished.
Children’s Unit
Chicken pox has been making its way through the children’s unit!! It’s never ideal for any child to have to deal with such an illness but we were worried that the HIV positive children would really suffer. Thankfully they all seem to be coping very well with it and most of them have only had it mildly. Well done to our House Moms for getting though it too!
Another month generally means another birthday and this time it was for one of our girls who turned four. This particular girl has been with us for over a year and has had no contact with her mother for over six months. The social workers are trying to track down her mother for the purposes of assisting in acquiring a birth certificate so that a foster home place can be found for her. It is crazy that a child can be four years old and still not have been registered! The mother suffers with alcohol addiction and at the moment we have no idea where she is staying. Despite her difficult social situation the birthday girl had a fantastic time celebrating in the traditional way with Maz, Mel and our newest volunteer Lauren organising a lovely party for her. We love spoiling the kids here and being able to love them. We know it doesn’t always make up for a lack of a real family but at least they know that someone is there for them. In the time she has been with us she has really come out of her shell and become a confident, delightful child. We are trusting God for the best family for her, whatever that might look like.
Although we are often battling with frustrating social work cases, it is good to be reminded of those situations which are being resolved and we have a fantastic story of reunification this month. The mother to one of our three year old girls has been told that she will be allowed to have her child returned to her if she can prove her responsibility by following a strict set of guidelines set by the social worker. These guidelines include visiting us every day to learn how to take care of her child and learning how to administer the medication. We are pleased to say that the mother is responding well, adhering to the guidelines and are we are very confident that, in a few weeks, the social worker will agree to the child returning home! The mother is also taking responsibility for her own medication and the Day Hospital are real pleased with her progress. It is always our prayer that a child can go home to a loving and caring family member and for it to be the mother too is just the icing on the cake!
We have also received news that one of the little boys who returned home a few weeks ago is doing very well. His mother, who was defaulting on her HIV medication, has become compliant again and is working hard, along with the grandmother, to improve the house – by putting cardboard on the walls and carpet on the floor - and keep it clean and tidy. This is truly fantastic news and goes to show how Thembalitsha can make a difference. Watch this space!
Sports Outreach and Community Work
A highlight of this month has to be the fact that we were able to take our eight sports mentors to Cape Town Stadium to watch Cape Ajax v Orlando Pirates. It was fantastic to be able to invest in these boys who are willing to get involved and regularly commit to our weekly sports outreach in their local areas. Many of the boys have been involved in our clubs from a young age and realise the difference they can make. We made a day of it and took them to see some of Cape Town’s sights either side of the match. It was truly a precious experience to share in their first viewing of a proper football stadium and we could see that it was something they would hold in their memories for a long time to come.
This month we also assisted in the Community Police Forum’s (CPF) feeding programme where, for one day, we took over the daily task of providing a basic meal for patients of the TB clinic in town. This meal is essential for the TB medication to work effectively. Providing this meal for fifty was no simple task but we were able to enlist our volunteer, Pauline and Tim’s mum to prepare the food and then use our volunteers to help in the distribution. The food was certainly well received and we had enough left over the take to the ARV clinic too! Our hats go off to Captain Noble and the team of volunteers from his church in Grabouw who usually provide this service – at least we could give them a day off!!!
You may have read in ThembaCare Grabouw’s news about the inpatient who is regressing. Sadly she is the mother of two boys, both of whom attend our clubs. The older boy assists the mentor for our club in Siteview (an area in Grabouw) and the other attends our Rainbow Smiles HIV support group. Please hold them in your prayers. Although it is good that these children are known to us and we can look after them it is still a very sad situation.
Other News
Volunteers:
As another month passes we have to say goodbye to two more volunteers. Heather Moore and Grace Perret have both served here for three months and have been invaluable members of the team. As always, the goodbyes are bittersweet as, though we are sad for them to leave, we are so excited about what is going to happen in the next chapter of their lives. Thank you girls! We can’t wait to hear about what you get up to next!
We were also happy to receive our newest volunteer, Lauren Carmen. Lauren is another Aylesbury (or should we say Quainton) lovely! The Carmen family have been long-standing supporters of the Village of Hope and this is Lauren’s second visit. She is already getting stuck in and brandishing her own form of humour in the team. We can tell we are going to be in for a fun three months.
Ukuquala Two:
Our new building from the Germans has been in need of some TLC whilst it dries out. It was noticed that the walls were starting to sag so we have taken the advice of Ian, our friendly structural engineer and arranged for some bracing to be attached. This was carried out by a team of loyal workers at Rustic Homes. Thanks guys! – we appreciate your skill!! The new bracing will become a feature once the walls are dry and plastered and a bit reminiscent of a tudor house!
Hope2Light:
We cannot end the newsletter without saying a huge thank you to Amanda Nortje, our funding manager, and her friend, Karlien Scholtz who have just completed a cycle from Village of Hope to the Cape Aghulas at the southern tip of Africa. They completed this mission over 4 days in an attempt to raise awareness of the Thembalitsha Foundation but also to raise funds towards a new minibus for us to be able to transport the Village of Hope, Sports and Rainbow Smiles children back and forth. They certainly were pedaling with a purpose and we appreciate all you have done for us, girls!
Up and Coming Events
Head’s Up For Father’s Day 19th June
Last year our alternative gifts for Father’s Day were a real hit so we are going to repeat it again. So, if you would like to buy your Dad a gift that counts instead of a comedy tie or pair of socks follow this link:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290717510664
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British 10k London Run
We have six places available and the run takes place on Sunday 8th July. This really is a fantastic race – you get to run past major London landmarks like Big Ben and St Paul’s cathedral. It costs £30 to enter and you need to be willing to commit to raising at least £250 for us. So, whether you are new to running and looking for a challenge, or an old hand looking to beat your personal best, this is a great opportunity to get into training and to run for a great cause. Contact us at
office@thembalitshauk.org.uk for more information.
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Thembalitsha Bike Challenge
Can you cycle 10 miles? 100 miles? Either way we’d love you to join us on Saturday 8 September as we challenge ourselves to cycle whilst raising money for Thembalitsha.
The challenge:
8 - 16 Miles: A there and back again route from Aylesbury on picturesque lanes in the Chilterns, suitable for all kinds of cyclists and all ages and including families, you just need to be able to cycle comfortably for around an hour at an easy pace. Entry fee is £5 for adults, £2 for children.
100 Miles: A wonderful route through the Chilterns and the Thames Valley before lunch at a riverside inn, then on to the South Downs and the sea at Brighton. You’ll be rewarded with a stopover at a farm and a hearty breakfast before being driven home the next day. Suitable for regular or more experienced cyclists, you need to be able to cycle at a moderate pace for most of the day. Entry fee is £25, which includes overnight accommodation, breakfast and return transport.
Whichever personal challenge you choose, our challenge to you is to raise as much money as you can for Thembalitsha in sponsorship. Are you up for it?!
Contact us:
office@thembalitshauk.org.uk to sign up!
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!
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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!
