Start a Preschool for 60 Children in South Africa

The programs and activities at Siyabonga Early Childhood Development Center have continued to go well this year, including the annual celebration of National Youth Day in June. We were pleased at the number of parents who were able to join us to honor the students who died fighting for educational freedom in the Soweto uprising of 1976. However, our biggest news is about our building.

In recent years, as is the case in many parts of the world, weather in the region where Siyabonga is located has become more unpredictable. After years of drought, the area has been hit with two years of prolonged heavy rains and severe flooding. Many families in the area lost their homes and many buildings sustained extensive damage, including the center. When I visited a few months ago I was appalled to see the state of the building. The roof and ceiling had begun to cave in, and black mold was growing in the corners of the classrooms.

Given the seriousness of the situation and our concern for the potential health impacts on the children at the center, we decided we must act immediately to repair the building. With help from a knowledgeable volunteer, we were able to identify and hire a qualified contractor who was willing to come to the remote area to do the work and was able to start while the children were on their winter break. Unfortunately, because of the extensive damage to the roof, underlying structure, and ceilings and the cost of materials in the rural area, the bid for this urgently needed work was over $20,000. 

I am really pleased to report that the repairs to the building are moving along. Although the work has been delayed several times by rain, the crew has even been willing to work on weekends to complete the work as soon as possible. The new roof and gutters have been installed and they have begun replacing all the ceilings. We are deeply grateful to everyone who responded to our special appeal for funding. Although we still have a ways to go to reach our goal, we are extremely thankful that we had sufficient funds to begin the work. We are overjoyed that the children will again have a sound, safe, and healthy place to spend their day!

We were able to build the center and to help ensure that it has continued to thrive for the last 10 years with the generous support of friends like you and know many of you stepped up again to help us with this significant, unanticipated expense. I can’t thank you enough for all you have done. Without dedicated and caring partners like you, none of this would have been possible.

If you haven’t yet given to our building campaign, please consider a donation now and help ensure Siyabonga can continue to provide quality programs for the children and families in their community.

With deep appreciation and warm wishes,

Helen