Buddy Camp 2010

Last week the Community Projects staff headed off to Busisa Family Adventure Camp in the Karkloof with 22 of our Buddies from Matimatolo and Mbuba for a week long camp. The Buddies had an absolutely amazing time and really astounded those running the camp with the way that they worked together. Even in very difficult situations they encouraged and built one another up rather than putting each other down which, according to the camp leaders, is what often happens when they run these sort of camps with teens. It really made me proud to be working with these kids and encouraged me as to how much the Buddy Programme is actually shaping the lives of these children and building resilience.

The reality of working and living in South Africa

Just last week one of our Family Facilitators walked into my office to tell me that one of the children we work with had passed away the day before. He was a lively 13 year old boy who had a disability yet his difficulties never stopped him from engaging with others :) The news of his death really shook me as I asked myself, "Why, he was so young and full of life?"

This incident got me thinking that barely a week goes by where someone in the 270 families we work with or the Family Facilitators or Committee members families passes away. As much as I know that death is a natural part of life, it is the untimely loss of life that affects me. Again I am reminded how we need to equip our Family Facilitators, Committee Members and Students to enable them to deal with their own loss so they can help and support those they work with!

Students celebrate Soccer Friday

In preparation for the world cup soccer events, LETCEE celebrated soccer friday by conducting an enrichment theme workshop with our level 4 students. They will now return to their pre-schools and do the ideas and activities with their children. The students learnt how to make vuvuzelas from recycled plastic bottles and how to use all the promotional adverts to make educational games and puzzles. They had lots of fun singing soccer songs and making their own makarabas.

National ECD Alliance Curriculum launch

Gill, Iris and Charmayne at the National ECD Alliance Curriculum launch.