“Your Help Builds Their Future”
“Your Help Builds Their Future”
Category: VMS
We currently have121 students divided into 5 groups; toddlers class of 30 students with two educators, preschool with 40 students and 2 educators, grade R with 20 students and one educator, grade 1 with14 students and one educator, and grade 2 with 10 students and one educator.
Formal learning in the classroom is proceeding well. The children in early learning and development are showing great progress. When guests visit our school, they demonstrate their learning and skills with confidence. Students in formal education are ready for the final national examination which begins on the 26th of November.
Our Grade 1 and Grade 2 performed well in the local school competitions taking 2nd position in writing and reading. Our Grade R graduating student ceremony will be held on the 8th of November.
The support we receive from the local department of education is excellent, and we continue to be very grateful for our dedicated educators. It’s hard to believe we are, once again, in the final term of the year.
This year’s highlights includeOn the 18th of July we celebrated Mandela Day by visiting disadvantaged families in our area. Children and staff took fresh vegetables from our garden for the families. They also visited and brought relief packages to the community of refugees from Zimbabwe. It was a great experience for our children to learn about caring for and helping one another.
Mrs. Deena from Makhado came to our school to celebrate her August birthday with us. She baked lovely cupcakes, and each child was gifted a party pack, which included a toothbrush, tooth paste, bar soap, face cloth, and treats. Mrs. Deena and her family visited some years ago and have been returning and supporting VMS ever since. Each year they donate educational toys and clothes for children and families. We are very grateful for Mrs. Deena and her families ongoing support.
September in South Africa is Heritage Month. At VMS, we celebrated the birthday of our late founder and director on the 4th of September. We remember her kindness, love, care, and commitment to ensuring vulnerable children receive an excellent education in a caring environment. To remember and celebrate Suzy we set up a jumping castle, provided snacks and taught the history of VMS and its founder. This is very important part of our heritage. We will never forget our Suzy (Sue-Ann Cook).
The children also celebrated Heritage Day in style dressed in their colourful and favourite traditional attire. We provided various tradition foods for the children and danced our traditional dances, as we embraced our different cultures.
In September, we took 70 students (age 4 to 8 years old) to Kruger National Park. It was a long but fun day as we left the school at 6 in the morning and returned at 6 in the evening. It was the first time the children visited the park and the joy in their faces as they saw the bus arrive was a priceless moment. At the park we saw giraffe, impalas, and herds of elephants. Some of the younger children were initially frightened seeing the animals up close while the older students were excited and curious to see more. A huge thank you to the staff and parents for working together to make this trip a success! Unity is power.
Vhutshilo Mountain School was built in 2015 and the outside brick was beginning to crack and in need of re-plastering. We are happy to report in September the brick was completely repaired. This was possible by a donation from Mr. and Mrs. McKinnon who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. They asked friends and family to donate money to VMS instead of gifts. Mr. and Mrs. McKinnon have been supporting VMS since 2002 and we are so grateful for their continued support.
Phase one of the playground is now completed. We still need a permanent roof but are currently using shade cloth and now the children have a safe playground. The pre-school renovation and playground financial support was made possible by Hope for Limpopo and tuition students.
We thank the Chairman of the VMS Board, Mr. Makwarela, for taking charge of this project from day one through completion. He designing the playground, obtained the building materials at a reasonable price and monitored the construction and workers. It took a full two months to complete all the renovations which came in on budget with no added costs. We are so in love with the new look. Thank you Hope for Limpopo supporters, parents, and the community for your support.
Christmas came early at VMS. In October, the McNeil family from Scotland visited us. Mr. and Mrs. McNeil and family have been involved in fundraising for VMS since the very beginning and we appreciate their continued interest and support. When we heard they were coming we were excited and looked forward to seeing them. It was a short visit, but the impact was huge, strengthening the relationship between sponsors and beneficiaries.
The children and staff put on a concert for them. A former VMS student, who they had sponsored and is currently in grade 10, came back to greet them. Following the school concert, we had lunch together with VMS board members talking about their experience and future school plans. Thank you, board members, for welcoming our guests with open arms. The children are still talking about the McNeil’s visit and asking when they will return.
Thank you, Professor McNeil, for ensuring our guests were taken care of and reaching out to local media, The Mirror, who published a story about the McNeil family visit and their support of VMS. Professor McNeil is the son of Mr. and Mrs. McNeil and a current VMS board member.
Thank you all for your donations and student sponsorships and, as always, walking this journey with us. The highlight of every term, for me, is seeing the profound impact on and positive relationships being built with our children. The compassion and care we provide continues to grow stronger, and I believe the results will be long-lasting.
Sincerely,
Khathu Nemafhohoni, Director, Vhutshilo Mountain School
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