Help Educate 22 Children in Zandspruit, S.Africa

Dear Thandanani Friend

As highlighted in my last report the challenges of living in Zandspruit (the area where Thandanani is located) has been increasing on a monthly basis, making it an undesirable place to be raising children due to the many harmful influences all around us. I also mentioned that we needed to find a new location, but that in itself was easier said than done because the possibility of selling the current property seemed impossible given the nature of the area. And then of course we had to find a suitable property, in a reasonable area, for an amount that was affordable.

But as the lawlessness notched up a level in the past few months we knew that a new home was no longer just a wish, it was an imperative, and we had to act.

In the past 6 weeks, two almost miraculous events occurred within days of each other. A friend approached me and said he knew of a property that was for sale that would suit Thandanani perfectly, and after inspecting it we agreed, but what about the funding? And then a few days later I was approached by a property developer who was interested in buying our current property, and although the deal is not done yet we are hopeful that it will be concluded within the next few months.

So our hopes are high that we will be able to move to new premises before the end of this year, and be assured that our children will be in a safer environment.

I’ll keep you posted in future reports of our progress, not forgetting to thank each one of you for your support over the past years.

Kind regards

Paul

Links:

• Thandanani House of Refuge

Dear Thandanani Friend

In my last report I mentioned that four of our young people had completed high school and were hoping to study further based on their much awaited results. Well I am happy to give you the feedback that all 4 passed their final exams and the status is as follows:

• Palesa is studying Teaching after donors came forward and covered her first year fees.
• Manana is studying Hospitality after receiving a 100% bursary from a local company.
• Esther is studying a course in Early Childhood Development.
• Xoli passed his exams but was disappointed with 2 of his subject marks which prevented him from entering the course of his choice, so he is busy preparing to re-write these subjects this month.

Apart from the 4 young people above who have just graduated from high school there is also Zyna who has now entered into the 3rd year of her IT course, at which she is thriving, and hopes to be able to become independent next year and move out on her own. And Sam who accepted an internship at a medical research company studying Covid.

We have a serious challenge at Thandanani with respect to where our home is located as the lawlessness around us continues to escalate, to the point where it has become an imperative that we find an alternative location. This of course is easier said than done (especially the cost of such a move), but we’ve started looking at alternatives, and will keep you posted.

Once again many thanks for every contribution you have made.

Kind regards

Paul

Links:

• Thandanani House of Refuge