Provide Quality Education to 200 Children

Introduction

2019 has been flying for all of us at TransCape NPO. Maybe because it has been such an eventful three months? It seems just like yesterday that we send our 6 months reports to you.

This 3-months update reports serve as short and crisp informs of our educational programs.

We hope you enjoy the read and please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Yours Astrid Gifford

Managing Director and Treasurer

Mdumbi Pre school

The third term began on the 9^th of July. Before the school closed the teachers and the parents agreed to invest into school uniforms for the preschool children. The main reason for the new clothing was the idea to take the children on regular school outings from now on. On the 23^rd of August the whole pre-school went to Mthatha to visit the museum, the community radio station, the airport, the nature reserve and the mall. The trip was extremely educational and also exciting for the children. Two of our children spoke on the radio and greeted their parents as home. The kids were fascinated by the stuffed antelopes and buffalo at the natural history museum. All the children clung to the fence at the airport with great excitement to observe the plane landing and taking off again. For the first time the children had a chance to lay eyes on alive African animals like zebra and springboks at the Luchaba Nature reserve. Finally, in the mall they got see the bright lights of the game arcade. What a day! They had sooo much fun and didn’t want to go home.

We are happy to report the installation of a brand-new playground at the Education Center. Designed and build by a volunteer from Australia who came to join us for one month. We have swings, climbing walls, balancing beams, monkey bars, see-saws and robe gardens to improve upper body strength, coordination, balance and body awareness.

Our dear volunteers from Germany had to say good bye after one year in the preschool. Their year was up and we welcomed two new volunteers from Germany. The teachers are very happy with the new volunteers as they easily integrated in the team and their English is well developed.

In the beginning of September, the teachers started with assessments. The children were asked to show off their knowledge about the sounds of the alphabet and also count numbers to 100. It went very well.

We closed for Spring holiday on the 20^th of September for 10 days.

After School Enrichment program

The After-School program started in 2008 and takes place every day in the afternoon at 4pm for one and a half hours. The program aims to improve the student’s English and Maths skills. Our teachers assist with homework as well. Through the additional attention we see great progress in those difficult subjects.

This term, our teachers attended another Thanda workshop. Thanda is a partner NPO of Transcape. They provide workshops and seminars for teachers to further improve their teaching skills. Our teacher learned a lot and was brilliant in implementing her new knowledge. Thanda field workers come out to visit and observe her in the classroom setting. They were very happy with her classes. Most astounding was that the shy children came out of their shell and engaged into meaningful activities through new applied teaching techniques. Reading more stories, playing language and math games and arts and crafts had a lovely positive effect of the learners.

Our new German volunteers, continue with our new English activity. The students have Pen Pals in German high schools, who they can email while at After school class. The aim is to practice written language in English and exchange cultural backgrounds and stories. Being exposed to computers and the internet is important part of our learning program.

The number of children attending the After-school enrichment classes is increasing because they love the stimulation and their teachers.

In the school holiday we ran a holiday program for the kids. We organized a fun beach day, which included games, swimming and a beach clean-up to save the oceans. We educate our children about the dangers of pollution and how we can help nature. We also organized a soccer and netball fun day with a tournament on the end of the day. On the third day we set up a projector to show a movie. The kids enjoyed watching the new Jungle Book, munching lots of popcorn.

Tshani Athletic Club

On the 7^th of September the children went to Mthatha to run in the Walter Sisulu University 10km challenge. It was a fast race producing some quick times and the children all finished top 10 and received medals.

The Vice Principle of Sikoma Junior School chaperoned the children and he is very passionate about running and is also involved and works closely with the Department of Sports and recreation. It is great to keep making more contacts and this helps growing the interest among the youth.

There was also a holiday program set up for the kids. The itinerary alternated between running and soccer and netball and it ended on Saturday with a fun 5km race. The children were fed throughout the program as these young athletes expend a lot of energy.            

Netball teams

The TransCape noticed that the netball equipment in the Mankosi community needs an upgrade. We have got many girls all ages interstied in playing netball as it is a lot of fun.

We bought new netball hoops and 8 new netball balls to give the youth a chance to pursue their passion. Senior village girls have taken on the coaching of the teams and formulated even a League. Every weekend the girls play tournaments against each other.

All in all, the term was very eventful. The program is doing well and we will continue helping the children in their development.

Scholarship project

The scholarship program provides bursaries for promising students of our community. School fees, Boarding and Transport fees as well as pocket money is provided for the pupils.

At the moment we have got 4 students who receive scholarship support for their education.

Two pupils are schooling and boarding at Dalinyebo High School in Mthatha. They have performed well this last term and past their grades. We expect them to pass their grade 11 on the year end without any problems.

One pupil is in Maclear High School and we are very proud to report that he past Afrikaans language for the first time this term. Having no choice but to do Afrikaans as second language which he has never had before, was very daunting and we didn’t expect him to pass Afrikaans so quickly in a grade 10 level. Another amazing factor is that he became the best and unreplaceable flank in the schools Rugby team. He has been chosen to join the Eastern Cape Rugby Academy. This gave him a huge boost in his confidence and became a responsible hard-working adolescent.

Our oldest scholarship student was finally accepted into a university after failing to enrol in the first semester. Through perseverance and sending in applications she managed to enrol in the course of Public relation studies. She is based in East London and boards privately. She enjoys her studies and she said that she is happy.

Conclusion

We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support towards the education of our children in Mankosi Community, South Africa!

Yours Astrid Gifford