| Our
Nest |
A Stimulation
Centre for severely mentally and physically challenged children.
Our Nest operates at a house on Grootvlei mine property. At
present 14 children are being cared for by 3 staff members.
St Peter & St Paul sponsor a child – Sibusiso. There
are many more children both at the centre and in the community
whose parents / guardians are needing assistance with fees.
If you are interested in helping please contact Sharron 083-415-0128.
|
|
The Kwasa Centre |
Parishes linked with us in our work
at Kwasa:
Parish of St. John’s La Fayette Square, Washington
D.C.
Parish of Rathfarnham, Dublin.
Parish of Christ Church Jebel Ali, Dubai.
Chapel of the Cross – Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Holy Trinity - Guildford
|
 |
|
1.
KWASA PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOL:
What an exciting beginning we had to 2007! At the start of the
“new” Kwasa Pre-Primary School last year we had
only 28 children on Day 1 and very slowly our numbers increased
until we had 60 learners at the end of the year. Well, on Day
1 of this year there were 86 learners and our numbers have swelled
to 102 – AND we have a waiting list.
Another
VERY exciting first is the fact that 17 of our learners from
last year have been enrolled at a local Primary School where
they are all in Grade 1, being taught in English and most
of them are coping admirably. Considering that just 12 short
months ago they only knew and understood VERY little if any
English words, this is a remarkable achievement and we are
very proud of these learners. The bursary scheme, which has
been made available by our very generous sponsors, helps to
fund these and also 6 other learners who are presently at
other local High and Primary Schools in the area.
We are,
therefore, very grateful to our sponsors in Rathfarnham, Washington
and Chapel Hill.
|
 |
|
The Pre-Primary
School continues to grow and develop and is applying the Ntataise
(a South Sotho word meaning “To lead a young child by
the hand”)Theme Based Programme which was established
for Pre-Schools and Playgroups. Two of our teachers –
Dorcas Nkala and Purity Buthelezi -are currently studying
through Ntataise and will complete Level 4 this year.
We also
have 4 teachers who are studying with My Hope, Business Services.
Those doing Level 1 are Isabel Mthembu, Sesi Nkabinde and
Meisie Pita while Johannes Mahlangu is currently doing Level
4.
|
 |
|
Learners come
from the nearby Informal Settlement of Vukuzenzele, in Daggafontein,
and it gives such joy to witness the growth of children and also
their parents, who are becoming so much more involved in the education
system. |
We
now have 4 classes at the school: |
Ducks:
Rabbits:
Donkeys:
Frogs (Grade R): |
Ages
18 months – 2 years
Ages 2 – 3 years
Ages 3 – 4 years
Ages 5 – 6 years |
 |
 |
EVENTS
THIS YEAR: |
Trip
to America: At the very kind invitation of St John’s
Church, Washington DC, a group from St Peter and St Paul and
Kwasa (Sharron and Don, Church Warden Peet Smith, teachers Sheila
Radebe and Dorcas Sifunda, learners Dinah Phalatsi and Promise
Sibiya) travelled to the USA in January/February. St John’s
arranged a very full and exciting schedule for the group –
including visits to the Capitol, Senate House, Ferreby Hope
School, St Francis Episcopal School, a basketball game and the
White House!!!!!! Worship at St John’s on Sunday 28 January
was wonderful. The visit was a special opportunity for renewing
relationships, making new ones, and learning a great deal. One
of the gifts to Kwasa is our link with St John’s. |
 |
|
The group and members
from
St John’s in the Oval Office |
The group in Washington
DC |
The
group also travelled to Chapel Hill in North Carolina, and were
hosted by members of the Chapel of the Cross. As in Washington
– the hospitality and generosity was overwhelming. It
is exciting that this congregation is linking with St Peter
and St Paul and our work at Kwasa. |
 |
|
Visitors
from Guildford:
We were very privileged to have Theresa Love and Suzie Mackie
visit us in January. They spent two very busy weeks gaining
first hand knowledge of the learners by teaching and playing
with them - building relationships which have been very valuable
to our children. They brought “Super Teddies”,
soccer kit (for the boys in the After Care Group) and jerseys
from people in Guildford and these have brought much joy to
learners. The donations of money were also gratefully accepted.
|
 |
 |
T.B.
TESTING: A number of our pre-primary learners were
tested for TB in March. Those who tested positive and their
parents, were taken to the local clinic where medication was
prescribed, and the parents informed about TB and how to care
for their children.
Pic 9 pic 10
|
 |
|
Parent’s
Morning: An “Open Day” for parents was
held at school on Saturday, 21 April. All parents were invited
to spend a morning at school, participating in the same activities
as their children do each day according to the Daily Programme:
•
Assembly and Bible Story
• Morning Discussion
• Indoor Activity – painting, pasting, puzzles,
make believe etc.
• Outdoor Activity – climbing, water play, sand
pit, sports etc.
• Lunch
This
proved to be a huge success. The many parents who attended
enjoyed the morning and we plan to make this an annual event.
|
 |
 |
|
| FORTHCOMING
EVENTS:
Outing: As the theme at school is “Farm Animals”
a trip is being planned to the “Bokkie Park”. This
is a delightful venue where little children can see, touch,
feed and really experience animals first hand. So many of our
learners have never seen a REAL bunny or a goat before!!
LIHLE
is a little girl who attends Kwasa Pre-primary. She has developed
a condition which will require surgery. Her legs are very “bowed”,
and unless rectified before she turns 7, she would never have
the chance of living “normally”. She has been assessed
by staff at the Chris Hani Hospital – where she will have
an operation on 31 May which, it is hoped, will help to straighten
her legs. This brave little girl needs our prayers. |
 |
KWASA
AFTER- CARE
The Grade One’s return from Werda each afternoon, and after
enjoying their lunch-time meal – are assisted with their
homework, and given additional help with English, by a group of
volunteers from St Peter and St Paul. The volunteer is assisted
by one or two of the mothers of the children – a great step
forward in parent awareness and involvement!!! The
older group of after-care children (45-55), arrive a bit later
from their schools, also receive a meal and homework help.
On
Saturday 12 May the after-care children were treated to a party
by Suzanne – much fun was had by all!!!! |
 |
 |
 |
|
| HIV
/ AIDS |
| A
support group for people affected by and/or infected with HIV/AIDS
is meeting regularly at KWASA Centre Two
parishioners have been trained as supervisors for a group of
15 young people from ST Peter & St Paul who will be working
as peer educators on HIV/AIDS.
|
