Status Report - May 2009

Once again there were a number of activities during the month of May 2009, the most noteworthy being the follow:

A visit to the Care Village by a group of Rotary exchange students from Missouri in the U.S.A. After a brief background of the history and function of the Care Village, these young people were taken on a tour of the facilities after which they expressed their appreciation for the work done amongst the children. It is hoped that more visits of this nature will provide greater exposure overseas for the Care Village.

The Ridge Entertainment Resort was once again very active in the lives of the children during the month:

• Each child received their own hygiene pack consisting of toiletries and other personal items.
• All of those who celebrated their birthday during May received a gift voucher with which to purchase something personal for themselves.
• Regular discussions were held with the children involved in the scholarship programme and IT support was given to them.
• A Charity Car Wash was arranged to generate funds for our senior girl, Lee-Ann towards her dress for her Grade 12 farewell function. Due to the initiative of the Staff of The Ridge, and participation by other children from the Care Village, the day was a great success.
• The Ridge also donated a number of lounge suites and curtains for some of the houses to replace those that had become unservicable due to normal wear and tear.

The ladies of the Human Resources Division of Anglo Coal Witbank arranged a trip by our senior girls to their facilities to celebrate “ Take a child girl to work day”. At their offices the girls were taken on a tour of the offices, were introduced to the staff and after a presentation on careers and bursaries available at Anglo Coal, were treated to wonderful refreshments. Afterward each girl received a presentation pack of stationery.

Apart from the normal management meetings, a number of new forums were attended where issues of mutual interest with other facilities housing children in need of care were discussed. It is hoped that more of these informal meetings will be initiated in the future which can only benefit those involved in caring for children.

Once again we thank the congregation of Shielding Heights Ministry, Holy Trinity, Corpus Christi, St Mary of Fatima Catholic Church and Revival Centre who continue to provide spiritual and material support to the children and care givers of the Care Village.

We remain indebted to the doctors and staff of the Bambanani Medical Centre for the medical services which they continue to provide for our children at their own expense.

Also to Turftek who continue to maintain the grounds of the Care Village with their own staff and equipment. Without their commitment it would not be possible to maintain and keep the Care Village in the neat condition it is.

Though it is not possible to make mention of all, there are many other organizations and individuals whose interest in the well-being of our children is invaluable. One such of these is Ahmed who visited the Care Village during a business trip and made a very generous donation towards the work of the children’s home.

I also need to place emphasis on the role of other mining groups, such as BHP Billiton, Anglo Coal and Woestalleen Colliery who have supported the Care Village since its inception both financially and through means of other initiatives and continue to do so.