The Dream is slowly becoming reality...

In January this year LETCEE received the amazing news that the Toy Library for Mbuba had been fully funded and that we could now begin the process the Mbuba community has been dreaming about over the past 2 years!!

We got off to a slow start....meeting with the committee, obtaining permission to occupy land from the Inkosi and waiting for the committee to identify people in the community to do the building work.

Last week Bracken Timbers levelled the area for us, thanks Andrew :) and just yesterday the materials for the stands on which the Toy Library will be positioned, were delivered. Building starts on Monday!

136 Students trained last week!

Last week (12-17 April) was an incredibly busy one for the LETCEE training team!
Not only did we have a module of Level 4 training happening at our centre in Greytown;
we also had 5 of our team venture off to Ingwavuma.
We were asked by Ingwavuma Orphan Care centre to conduct training for 110 Family Support Members.
Our team each trained a group of FST's in the basics of Early Childhood Development, covering topics like why we need Early Childhood Interventions, child development, children's rights, child management and learning through play . For some of the women, it was the first time they were receiving any form of training.

We recieved positive feedback...
What have you learnt that will be most useful in you work?
"All what I learnt will help me to improve the knowledge of those children" -Zodwa

"I have learnt about the rights of children and their needs. This is important. ... About abuse and to listen to the child if he or she wants to tell you something." -Thulile
What did you learn this week, that you will now change in the way you do your work?
"I change the way which I see the family, I will respect them. " -Goodness
"I will listen to their problems, be polite, giving them a smile."
"I have learnt a lot of things that will change in my work, listening to the kids and make sure of their rights." -David
Other comments?
"The course was good and our facilitator was easily approachable. I hope we will have another training." - Thabsile
"More training like this will be of great value to the FST's" -Hlengiwe
"Because LETCEE is an organisation that has strong programmes in social and community development, we ask you to come again to help us. We like to develop our communities."

A gentle reminder

This sign appeared at a taxi stop in Matimatolo about a month and a half ago. We have asked various people but have yet to discover the story behind the sign.

On days like today where we headed out into the community for a workshop that we were really looking forward to, only to find that two people arrived and it had to be rescheduled.....this sign makes me smile and reminds me to leave the frustrations of the morning behind before driving back into the office and tackling the rest of the day.

I will continue to search for the story behind the sign and share it when I have found out...although the unknown is perhaps more intriguing than the actual story behind it all :O)

Taking things to a new level!

This past week was an exciting one for the training team, we started our brand new Level 5 group. Venturing into something new has been a daunting but positive experience for all of us!

Training at Level 5 was not an intention to begin with- however having developed a good relationship with so many women who we have trained at Level 4- they came to us asking when and whether we would consider helping them develop further. We knew that we couldn't let them down!
We decided that we would pilot a small group of 15 for 2010 in order to try the new curriculum.
The opportunity has been filled with many learning experiences for all.
We have been attending training, in order to facilitate the curriculum. This has been a good reminder of what it's like in to be back in the classroom on the receiving end!
Offering this course has also given 2 of our fieldworkers the opportunity to join, so they can further develop themselves and get a higher qualification.

The ladies left module 1 feeling challenged, yet excited about whats to come. We are all interested and looking forward to continuing the journey.

When you hit the dirt road just stop and ask for directions...

There have been many occasions whilst managing LETCEE's community projects where I have had to go out into various communities on my own to find a place I have never been to before. This is often a daunting task with a limited Zulu vocabulary, however I am always astounded at how the task is always completed.




Just this morning I had to drive out into a community I have not been to before to fetch a letter from the Inkosi's home. The directions I was given were: drive to Dalton...check, then take Fawn Leas road and drive until you hit the dirt road...check and then stop and ask someone how to get to the Inkosi's home...what?


However, yet again I stand amazed at the friendliness and helpfulness of a community who do not know myself or LETCEE. A lady who had been waiting for a meeting to start took me right to the Inkosi's house just to ensure I got there safely. These experiences always remind me to take a look around and see how I can help the people (friends or strangers) that I come in contact with everyday.