“Your Help Builds Their Future”
“Your Help Builds Their Future”
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Dear Friends, Partners and Supporters,
As we look back on the incredible journey over the past six months, I am filled with immense gratitude for the resilience of our team, our Board, our sponsors, and the unwavering support of our community. Your belief in our vision makes our work possible. I invite you to take a moment to read this update, celebrate these achievements with us, and see the change your support has made in our community.
With the support of our sponsors, donors and community, Vhutshilo Mountain School (VMS) is proud to provide excellent education to 174 learners: 83 in pre- school (ages 1-4, 3 groups), 32 in Grade R(age 5), 28 in Grade 1(age 6), 24 in Grade 2(age 7) and 8 in Grade 3 (age 8). Children receive three healthy meals a day, free transportation, second hand clothing and food parcels. We assist family and children in obtaining government grants, birth certificates and ensure those who are sick are receiving proper treatment. We employ 14 staff members, of whom 9 are permanent and 5 are volunteers. Formal learning is progressing and the children are doing exceptionally well in the classroom.
Birthdays and Special Celebrations
It has become our tradition for every child to have a birthday celebration. We hire a photographer, provide cake, music and a personalized gift for each child. Thank you to our staff for always ensuring each child feels special and appreciated. We group the children with our first birthday celebration held on the 7th of May 2025 for preschool children born from January to June, and our second celebration held on the 5th of September 2025 for children born from July to December. During July and August, we celebrate children from 5 to 8 years. They received watches, bead bracelets and stationery gift packs with words of love. In total, 174 children received gifts.
Mother's Day, Father's Day and Heritage Day
On the 8th of May, we celebrated Mother's Day. Children were encouraged to come dressed as any mother figure in their lives. On the 16th of June 2025, we celebrated Father's Day. Even though most of our children are growing up without both parents, we appreciate the adults who step up to ensure they receive parental love. They always bring us so much joy.
On the 23rd of September, we celebrated Heritage Day by serving traditional food. All children and staff came to school in their different traditional attires. The day was lovely and colourful. In our school we have children from Venda, Tsonga, Zulu-speaking and families from Zimbabwe.
Parents Meeting
On the 19th of June 2025, we hosted a parents/guardians meeting with 90% attendance - a great success. Our teachers spoke to parents about challenges and progress, and we discussed the upcoming educational tours for pre-school and primary school. After the meeting, parents were invited into the classrooms to see their children's work and have one-on-one discussions with the teachers.
Educational Tours
On the 28th of August 2025, we took all of our primary school learners to the Tzaneen Lion and Predator Park. We left school at 5 o'clock in the morning and it took us 3 hours to get there by bus. It was an amazing experience – a little scary - but exciting. We saw lions, tigers, cheetahs and many other animals up close. The children learned about wild cats and the environment, and to this day they cannot stop talking about the trip.
On the 22nd of September 2025, we took our pre-school children together with their parents/guardians to Harmony Park in Vuwani, Venda. The bus departed at 6 o'clock in the morning and we drove for 3 hours with a few stops along the way. Both parents and children had a wonderful time, with lots of singing and dancing on the bus. The children saw zebras, impalas and other animals. They also had a great time in the swimming pool. It was an educational and inspiring trip, showing great unity between parents and staff in preparing lunches and caring for the children.
Competitions
Each year, all public and private school Grade 3 learners are invited to write common tests by the Department of Education. In Term 2 we achieved 3rd position and in Term 3 we achieved 2nd position. We are very proud of our learners and staff. VMS was well represented, and the partnership between parents and the school is working very well.
Our preschool students participated in the Heritage Month activities, competing against 8 other local preschools. We took 1st position in traditional dance with our team of 15 learners a mix of boys and girls performing Tshigombela and looking so well dressed on their Venda traditional attire.
On the 18th of September 2026, we competed at District level at Makhado show ground. The competition was huge, with 34 different preschools from across Vhembe District. We took 15th position and for us these kids are the champions and we are very proud of them.
Outreach Program
This year we partnered with the Agora Club South Africa to support children and adults living with disabilities. Our goal was to collect used bottle tops. We are happy to have collected many bottle tops, and through this effort we helped provide a wheelchair for a child living with a disability. We are happy to see that our school is also changing other children's lives.
Vegetable Garden
Our garden continues to provide fresh, organic vegetables every day, even in this harsh environment. We are still able to give vegetables to needy children and families near the school. Throughout the year our parents and community have continued to support us with planting. This year we received a donation of seedlings from a member of Agora Club SA of different types of vegetable. We shared the seeds with parents, staff members and community. One of our objectives being to ensure children have food and we continue to promote home food gardening.
Development and Challenges
We have managed to close the veranda of the Halfway House and convert it into a dining hall for our toddlers. We have also installed security cameras at the school - the safety of our children and property is of utmost importance.
Our challenge now is that our school infrastructure is aging. The yard fence, gate and poles need major repairs. We take great pride in our infrastructure and in taking care of our school so our hope is to start rebuilding the fence on the east side of the school during the December school holidays.
Upcoming Events - Term 4
As we approach the end of the year, Term 4 is very busy with preparing children for their final examinations:
On 6 November 2026, Concert for Primary School, 7 November 2026, Concert for Preschool and 4 December 2026, Graduation Ceremony for Grade R learners.Thank you again for your continued support!!
Warm regards,
Khathu Nemafhohoni, Director
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