“Your Help Builds Their Future”
“Your Help Builds Their Future”
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We are pleased to inform you that many of the children, as young as 3 years old, are able to write. Our 4 year olds are writing and reading. Our educational staff are meeting and exceeding the criteria for their lessons. We are very grateful to our educational staff for their skills and dedication.
Mother’s Day’s CelebrationOn the 8th of May we celebrated Mother’s Day. Boys and girls dressed like mothers, as everyone celebrated the many varieties of mothers in our life. Children looked adorable in their outfits as they imitated their mothers work, including picking vegetables from the garden, cooking and cleaning. In the Venda community it is primarily mothers who take care of the home and household. It was touching to watch as the children, as young as they are, became aware of just how much mothers provide to the home. We encouraged all the children, especially the older children and boys, to help out at home.
Pajama PartyOn May 17th we hosted a pajama party for our learners a welcome to the winter season. Both teachers and children came dressed up in their colourful sleepwear. The classrooms were decorated and we read bedtime stories. We thank all the parents, community, and staff who donated second-hand pajamas so all children were able to dress up and participate in activities.
Birthday CelebrationsOur first birthday celebration for pre-schoolers (ages 1-4) was held on June 11th. Thank you to our dedicated staff who went all out decorating the classroom and providing music. A present and a picture was taken for each child to take home. We are very grateful to have this opportunity to celebrate and create beautiful memories. For some of our learners, it was their first birthday cake.
On June 12, our 51 primary school students (ages 5-7) celebrated their birthdays at Lavero Lifestyle Lodge, about 10 km from the school, in Tshavhalovhedzi village. The children were given the royal treatment: the halls were decorated, the playground greatly enjoyed, and the food delicious. Thank you very much to the Lavero management and staff for giving our children this amazing birthday celebration.
Father’s Day CelebrationOn June 14 we celebrated Father’s Day. Our students dressed up like fathers. We took this time to appreciate all the father figures in their lives, be they uncles, big brothers or grandfathers.
Vegetable GardenOur vegetable garden continues to produce fresh vegetables to feed the children and community. We currently distribute fresh cabbages, beetroots, spinach, and tomatoes. We appreciate our dedicated staff and the volunteers who work hard in the garden.
Outreach ProgrammeVhutshilo Mountain School remains committed to help children and adults living with HIV/AIDS to live a healthy productive life, free from stigma. On July 4th we hosted a support group meeting for nine HIV+ children aged 7 to 9 years old. The parents or guardians of these children were referred to us by health workers at the local clinics after noticing that they were taking their treatment but their health was not improving.
At the first meeting we talked about the medication and how it helps them stay healthy and strong. Children were advised about healthy eating and the importance of taking medicine in a timely manner.
We discovered that some of the children were being given the wrong dosage and referred them to the clinic for verification and advise. We are very thankful to the Phadzima clinic who made special arrangements for the doctor to check each child’s ARV status and treatment, ensuring they have the right ARV medicine and the correct dosage. The hospital also conducted a home visit to those children with challenges of adherence to medication. After the home visits, we realized the biggest issue affecting child adherence is still stigma, resulting in nondisclosure of HIV status to the children and other family members.
We send our heartfelt thank you to our supporters for your commitment to the children. Your support positively impacts our children, their families, and our community at large.
There is a saying that “children learn to be kind by experiencing kindness, not by being told to be kind.” Each of you model that truth for our children.
Sincerely,
Khathu Nemafhohoni
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