Something to smile about

Yesterday I was at a meeting in Pietermaritzberg where the topic for discussion was "Supporting the Elderly Caregiver." Unbeknown to me a former LETCEE student (who graduated at the end of 2009) would be sharing about how she was working with and empowering Gogo's in her community. She explained that the creche's do not have toys and so she took it upon herself to show the Gogo's of the children in the creche how to make toys from waste. She had learnt this skill whilst studying at LETCEE. She also shared how the Gogo's have taught other Gogo's in the community as well as practitioners at other creches. It made me smile as I began to realize that we often do not even begin to understand the impact of what we do!

Buddies, here's what some other people had to say...

I was amazed at the impression the the Buddies had on the leaders who ran the camp 2 weeks ago and thought i would share some of what they said, as it has been a huge encouragement for me.

"As these kids overcame every obstacle we put in their way, as they saw and took opportunities that never seemed, even to me, to be possible, and did it all in record timing, we strove to make everything harder. We blindfolded key players, tied kids feet together and used any other method we could think of to handy-cap these amazing young people.
All of them were friendly, polite, respectful, good listeners, and I was blown away at how obedient they all were, both boys and girls. If given the choice, I would rather this group on a camp then any other group of similarly aged people that I know." Jess Goodall

"They gave the impression that it doesn't matter what you throw at them, they will overcome it. They rose to every challenge. The leadership capabilities of many of the kids were easily seen. It was a really special bunch of kids that came through as intelligent, persevering and strong kids." Jason Tame

"For me as an immensely proud South African, it gave me great joy and even tears to see this generation that is more interested in the well being of the community than in personal gain or hate....For me as an Afrikaner it was also great sharing a bit of my culture, and experiencing theirs and it was on the talent night that I realised what Madiba was talking about when he said 'The Rainbow Nation.' Something like that is only possible through friendship and contact, and I believe that these kids have been primed to be that contact!They are truly starting to shake off the bonds of racism and prejudice and with constant mentorship as is provided through LETCEE, these ghosts of the past could disappear altogether." Rudi Ackerman

We took the Buddies on camp so they could learn and grow but i think they can be very proud of what they taught and gave to those leading the camp. Well done!!

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.

World Play Day 28th May 2010

Friday the 28th of May 2010 is World Play Day. World Play Day was instituted by the International Toy Library Association in 1999 and has been celebrated in over 30 countries every year since then. This year, the theme is Creating a culture of play. Creating this culture includes giving children the time to play, understanding that children learn through play and that play is a crucial part of normal development. Adults are encouraged to provide safe spaces to play, take time to play with a child, and make sure that the whole family play together often. We should also make sure that traditional games are passed down to the new generation

Last week LETCEE put out an appeal to the schools and residents of Umvoti to help children play this World Play Day by donating educational toys to LETCEE, Sikhulakahle and Sibathanda Abantwana's Toy Libraries. Today we receive our first donation of puzzles, another reason to smile!