By Paul McKibbin | Project Leader
Dear Thandanani Supporter
As a result of a number of our older children moving out at the end of last year, we had some empty beds to fill, but it didn’t take long for the welfare authorities to identify new candidates who needed a place of safety due to their rather sad circumstances, resulting in them having to be removed from their respective families. As a result we have welcomed 6 new children (3 sets of siblings) all under the age of 10, in the past 2 months. We have had our hands full settling them in, dealing with the emotional turmoil of having been removed from their families, finding schools for them, etc., but what a joy to see happiness light up their faces as they start to feel comfortable in their new surroundings.
The unemployment rate in South Africa (30%) certainly doesn’t make it easy for our school leavers to find a job, and so Esther has still to find a teaching post at a nursery school, after completing her training in ECD (Early Childhood Development). She’s got her CV out and hopefully something will materialize before the end of this year.
Evelyn is in her final year of school and she recently celebrated her farewell party. A big thanks to those who sponsored her dress, she looked radiant on the occasion – see photo attached.
Well, all the renovations are finished at our new house, and it’s ready for us to take occupation, but unfortunately bureaucracy has denied us the possibility of moving in yet. We are required to apply to the local Council for permission to establish a children’s home in a residential suburb (which includes the canvassing of our new neighbours-to-be), and knowing this we applied at the beginning of the year, however, we are now in July and we are yet to receive our formal approval. On the positive side the new neighbours say they will welcome us, but we’re caught up in red tape at the Council. Hopefully my next report I’ll have some good news to bring you.
Warm regards
Paul
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