Help Educate 22 Children in Zandspruit, S.Africa

Dear Thandanani Supporter

Once a year South Africa celebrates the birthday of the great man Nelson Mandela on 18^th July and companies throughout the country are encouraged to involve themselves in some initiative to uplift the less fortunate. This year we had a team join us at Thandanani to enhance the outside walls of our house with brightly coloured murals, and I am pleased to be able to share some of those photos with you.

As the end of another school year approaches so too does the opportunity for those children who are leaving school to dress up in the finest outfits we can acquire, to celebrate the end of their school career – known in South Africa as the Matric Dance, or in the USA as the Prom. This year it was Mina’s and Jerri’s turn, and they looked stunning thanks to the generosity of our supporters, and they both thoroughly enjoyed their respective occasions.

But now that the dance is behind them it’s noses back into the books as they prepare to write their final exams in the next few weeks, especially as they both have aspirations to attend university next year, with Mina wanting to study for a marketing degree and Jerri to be a dental technician.

I know Christmas is still 2 months away, but as this will be my last report for the year I would like to wish you all well over the upcoming festive season, and thank you for your continued support.

Warm Regards
Paul

Links:

• Thandanani House of Refuge

Dear Thandanani Supporter

We receive a portion of our funding by means of a grant from the state which covers about 45% of our costs, with the balance being raised by fundraising. However, this year the government decided to overhaul the grant mechanism and made a hash of it in the process. Instead of receiving the money in early April as is the norm, we were still without funding by end-May, leaving our reserves at their lowest level ever, in fact we wouldn’t have survived the month of June. (We weren’t unique in this regard, with some facilities having to close their doors.) We were then blessed to have received 2 large personal donations which carried us through the month.

At about the same time a group of concerned Children’s Homes decided to get together and force the government’s hand (through the courts) with respect to the outstanding payments and won their challenge, resulting in the first tranche of payments being made shortly thereafter, so we have a bit of stability in our lives again, albeit we’re not completely out of the woods yet.

The children are all doing well and enjoying their mid-year winter holidays, and have had the opportunity of attending a Holiday Club run by a local church. Jerry was picked to play in the school cricket team and had the privilege on going on a successful tour with them.

If you'd like to buy something for us please click on the link below and follow the guidelines.

Thank you again for your continued support, and if you know anyone that might be interested in partnering with us in terms of support please forward them a copy of this newsletter.

Best Regards

Paul

Links:

• Would you like to shop for us? Visit the "Thandanani Shop"