Dear Friends of Golden Sunbeams
A short update to our last newsletter in October, in which we reported about our kindergarten, Kingdom Kids Edu-Care Centre in the township of Sir Lowry’s Pass, which was the worst one affected by the storms.
After the big flood, the community clean-up and a happy ending – we celebrated the fact that Zelna’s son, Gino, successfully completed his matric exam – we begin with rebuilding:
The fence that once protected the kindergarten was made of simple metal plates that carried away the masses of mud.
What now? Despite the high costs, we decided to build a solid stone wall.
Once the pre-school room has been renovated and the children can be accommodated there, we can then begin removing and levelling the entire floor of the main room.
The mass of water and water pressure had undermined the foundation and the outer walls of the room for the pre-school children and that of the toilets – therefore the foundation has to be re-laid and the walls stabilised.
The water has caused the wooden floor of the main room to bulge so much that cupboards and shelves are no longer secure. Currently only the mattresses of the children who have their afternoon nap are lying here. Once the pre-school room is renovated, we will be able to accommodate the children there. Afterwards, we will begin removing and levelling the entire floor of the main room.
When all of this has been completed, the restoration of the garden will be next on our agenda. Zelna’s former pride and joy was completely destroyed – sandy, uneven, riddled with deep furrows – and must first be filled with new earth. Until the garden has been put back to its former glory and can once again supply the kindergarten and community in the township with healthy vegetables and fruit, a lot of water will flow down the river…
But Zelna the principal of Kingdom Kids won’t let herself be defeated. For now, she and our construction worker, Andrew Ncube, are pleased with the beautiful new wall. We can only start replanting in about April/May 2024, when summer in South Africa comes to an end and it becomes a little cooler again. But for now, we’re looking forward to the summer in South Africa.
Speaking of summer… Christmas is just around the corner. And with it, our traditional Christmas party in the garden of the Mondeor Restaurant in Somerset West. We warmly invite you today:
On Thursday, December 7, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. for children / from 12:00 p.m. for adults at Mondeor Restaurant, 22 Mondeor Road, Somerset West 7140 (N2).
For many years we have been organising the Christmas party for our kindergartens on a rotational basis, so that every facility can take part. This year, around 110 boys and girls from Sikuthale Pre-School and around 75 children from Great Beginning Edu-Care Centre, both of whom come from the township of Asanda-Village, are looking forward to this big day.
Word of the colourful programme has of course circulated over the years and the anticipation is huge – among the little ones and also among the kindergarten teachers. And with us too, as every year we find it a great pleasure to look into these bright and happy children’s eyes!
When the bus with the children and their kindergarten teachers arrives at the Mondeor Restaurant around 11am, it takes less than 10 minutes until the garden is full of life, with laughing boys and girls splashing around in the pool, climbing on the jungle gym, slides and swings and romping in the big jumping castle.
At lunch time it is calmer. There is pizza and lemonade but, as soon as ice cream and sweets are handed out, all hell breaks loose again! The absolute highlight is the Christmas surprise bag, which is filled with lots of toys, writing and painting utensils as well as sweets, and which every child receives before they take the bus back to Asanda Village township at around 3pm.
As always, food and drinks are sponsored by Golden Sunbeams e.V. We would be pleased to receive donations in support of our 2023 Christmas party.
Donations:
Golden Sunbeams e.V.
Stadt- und Kreissparkasse Darmstadt
IBAN DE54 5085 0150 0023 0186 32
BIC HELADEF1DAS
It would be nice if you could spend this happy, colourful day with us, the children, their kindergarten teachers and our guests. We look forward to your response by November 30, 2023.
Until then, we send you warm greetings.
Yours
Britta & Bernd