By Ray Schone | Project Leader
Dear Friend of YOUPSA,
As you may have read in the international news, the southern part of our country including the area where we work and live, became a disaster area in May, experiencing extreme storms and severe flooding. Fortunately, no one involved with YOUPSA was hurt. Some had flooded homes but managed to evacuate. Many others sustained serious damages to home and property, and experienced a week or even weeks without power and communication. Some of us were cut off by roaring rivers and many roads were completely washed or broken away. Numerous dams burst, whole orchards, fencing and gates disappeared, animals were swept away, huge boulders fell from mountains onto roads, massive mudslides, and large old trees were torn out of the ground, falling onto houses, structures and roads. This extreme amount of rain and wide ranging damages has a huge impact on everyone in a farming community like ours.
The importance of YOUPSA's presence was really brought home to us during this storm disaster. Many of the children are still not able to attend school (now 2 months later) because their roads and bridges are destroyed, and they are closed in on the farm where they live. By a stroke of luck, we learned of a rough bush track that we can use to access the area where the children live. The kids need healing from this time, and we are so glad we can be there. Can you imagine the excited young people running to meet us?!
Our programmes are a lifeline for the children, and without you, our community of friends and supporters, we could not be there and uplift their lives.
Thank you dear friends!
Here, below, we want to share with you some of the recent news from our programmes.
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Turning Numbers Into Art
Can you draw animals and objects out of numbers? Try to draw a dog from the numbers 6, 6, 2 and 1, just like we did with the children.
Using numbers to draw animals is a excellent way to build number and shape recognition, perspective, express creativity and build confidence. At first the numbers appeared like a collection of disconnected elements. The children were so excited to see the dog take shape.
Each child was delighted by the unique personality they could give their dog. They were also excited that they have a new skill they can now teach their friends and family.
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How to make a moving paper fish
Crafts like this bring joy and confidence to our children. In many rural schools, children do not learn basic life-important skills like counting, addition / subtraction, measurement and cutting. YOUPSA has many gaps to fill, and we attempt to do so through our hands-on, interactive and creative activities. We want the children in our groups to have fulfilled, happy and healthy lives.
Once the fish was complete, imaginations soared as the children made their fish move, swim and fly!
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Literacy sparks imagination
The YOUPSA children were inspired to draw their own imaginative scenes from 'The Five Lost Feathers' by Giulia le Roux. We often read and discuss a book, then draw something that impresses our hearts, to enhance literacy skills.
In the story, Colette the little hen takes her daily walk and finds a lost feather from Viviane, the goose. She decides to return it. Viviane, in turn, finds Gaston the turkey's missing feather! But why are all these pretty feathers flying around in the wind?
Our children are so talented and have huge potential!
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Team work makes the dream work!
Thank you to all who contributed to YOUPSA's 'Balls for Kids Campaign.' These kids have no materials at home for play and creativity, and they absolutely could not believe that they were receiving balls!
We had to wait until after the recent big storm to distribute the balls. Since many of the farm children are stuck at home with no ability to go to school or leave their farm, this campaign became even more important than we imagined. These balls are bringing so much joy and fun during this difficult time!
View a YouTube video about this campaign here: Balls for Kids Campaign Video
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Join YOUPSA's Gift of Reading Book Drive
Please donate any gently used or new Afrikaans childrens' books. Together you can help us make a huge difference in childrens' lives!
Books have transformative power, they ignite childrens' imaginations, are educational, and inspire them to dream big. Thank You!
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Thank you for being with us and supporting the growth of these precious children!
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