These pictures reveal the huge increase in hygiene afforded by the new toilets and soundproof walls.
However, the children have been puzzled by the ceilings. “What is a ceiling and why is it there?” they asked. There is no such word in the Xhosa language! All rooms in the township are covered by external roofs, not ceilings.
This is something new to them. Heat retention, dust reduction, acoustics have played no part in their lives to date.
Nutrition is supplied twice a day at breakfast and at lunchtime. This is the only food some two-thirds of the children eat each day, such is the poverty in the area. It is supplied at cost or less from one or two of the local supermarkets.
The new challenge will be the nursery opening soon after Easter 2016 which will require formula milk and nappies for the babies from 3 months and older. It will provide daycare for mothers who work as labourers on farms, local shops, restaurants etc. They earn very little and many are employed as seasonal workers, frequently for only 4 months a year.
In November the art students from Northcliff House started painting a large mural on the garage wall.
Naturally the subjects reflected typical South African animals and typical flora found in the region.
Such a large white space was a wonderful opportunity to show their skills. Yomelelani only had to buy the paint.
The sport of Karate was moved out of the building with the arrival of the previous tenant but has now returned.
The classes by the Xhosa speaking trainer had already reached 5 a week by early 2016.
The results of this activity have been quite remarkable with all applicants achieving their higher grading. It is hoped that the school will again start producing star pupils
Dear Friends,
We have been visiting Hermanus with our wives Hilary, Thelma & Jill for a number of years. Yomelelani is a community project in the township adjoining Hermanus which provides early childhood development for children from very deprived backgrounds.
At this moment Yomelelani is embarking on a very exciting development which will involve nearly doubling the number of pre-school children places to 98 and the creation of a crèche for 52 babies.
We would like to share this story with any friends we think would be interested. We hope that you will spare a little time to explore the inspiring details regarding this project in our recently launched website www.yomelelani.co.za
We plan to circulate a newsletter from time to time to keep friends up to date on progress and we hope that you will find this as interesting and worthwhile as we do.
Kind regards
Peter Thompson, Bryan Littlewood & Roger Crowther
This is just a little note to thank you all for your wonderful support over the last year. What a year it has been!
The generous offer by Aqunion to rebuild and extend the school buildings materialised just after mid-year with commencement of the rebuilding work. We are now well into the programme which should finish around Easter time, end March 2016.
Despite the grants from the Government Departments, the uncovered cost of nutrition, teaching and new furniture and nappies for the soon to arrive nursery continue to be a worry. The level of donations, on the other hand, will hopefully fill the gap. We are so grateful to those who so kindly contribute.
Of particular note at the moment are the artists of Hermanus who have specifically painted a small picture each to raise funds and Bristol University in England who sold tickets for a Yomelelani fundraising night, collecting a similar sum.
Thank you all.
Love,
Corny Rode
(School General Manager)
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