December 2022: While we would have been happy about a white Christmas, in South Africa the summer sun is blazing. The ground is covered by the purple blossoms of the Jacaranda trees and Christmas is celebrated at 35°C in the shade. What a contrast and yet this year we all had to deal with the same challenges of Corona, the Ukraine war and the energy crisis. Despite the increasing prices for gasoline, gas and food we were able to maintain the basic supply in our four aid projects and thanks to your loyal donations we were also able to realize some special campaigns. We would like to review the year 2022 with you with some highlights.
In the children's home, the kids enjoy their newly renovated bedrooms and living rooms. The home's own recycling program and the vegetable garden are great projects that give the children a lot of joy, focus on environmental protection and even generate a small income. In the new year, some more kitchen appliances and a large washing machine for the laundry are to be purchased.
In 2022, there were again numerous academic and sports awards for some children, of which we are all - and especially the house mothers - very proud.
This year's Christmas party was held on 19th November with an inflatable bouncy castle and a great program. Over the summer vacations most of the children visit relatives or foster families - for the remaining children a nice vacation program is organized at the children’s home.
As usual, the feeding project was able to serve meals to those in need twice a week. We were able to give the school children a special treat for Nelson Mandela Day on 18th July 2022, when each child received a warm sweater. In addition, there was a delicious holiday meal, just like before Christmas.
In our village project, project manager Paul and his team have regularly provided food to families in need. We are happy to report that our commitment could be extended to another preschool this year. For this purpose, an existing building was refurbished so that two beautiful classrooms and a kitchen were created. In addition, a fence was built around the premises and a beautiful playground - the children and teachers are overjoyed.
For the new preschool and another one we are in the process of getting governmental support. Let's see how long the African bureaucracy will make us wait this time.
For two young ladies we were able to finance the training to become teachers - Bonisiwe and Ntombifikile will help out in the preschools from 2023 onwards.
For Christmas, each child in the four preschools will again receive a nice Christmas present: a small gym bag with toothbrush, soap, pencils, coloring book, toys and sweets. We are already looking forward to the shining children's eyes and would like to sincerely thank all donors who supported our Facebook fundraiser for the gifts this year or just donated to Siyabonga directly. You are great!
In the township project, the supply of 15 different families each month with survival packages has been well established by the social worker Phindile and her team. At the beginning of the year we were able to give 7 families, who had lost their huts in a devastating fire, a new home through a separate fundraising campaign. Furthermore, we again provided school uniforms for children, hygiene items and adult diapers for stroke patients.
A great success is our effort to have small vegetable gardens planted by the families in the sense of helping them to help themselves. Also a greenhouse on the premisses of the former project farm was reactivated and they are looking forward to the first harvest.
We are particularly grateful that this year, major fundraising activities and events could take place again. First and foremost, we would like to mention the traditional charity run of the Moritz School in Erfurt, during which the students raised a proud EUR 4,264.17.
On 1st of Advent we celebrated a premiere in a smaller circle of loyal donors and organization members: the first screening of the Siyabonga documentary film by producer Robert Schröder. It was a beautiful afternoon with impressive footage. Many thanks again to Robert and his team from Lumalenscape for making and providing the fantastic film. Short versions of it can be found on our website under the respective projects.
Some donors have collected money for our projects on the occasion of birthdays or other celebrations instead of gifts, for which we thank you very much. And in the context of this year's soccer world cup, there was once again a betting game for a good cause - thanks to all participants for this as well. We are looking forward to seeing what fundraising activities are in store for us in the new year. We are looking forward to your ideas!
Until then, we wish you a wonderful holiday season full of goodies, warmth and coziness.
Happy Holidays and a happy New Year.