DONATION OF NEW SCHOOL BUS

On 8 January 2008 the Management of Anglo Coal presented the Care Village with a 65 seater school bus. This donation could not have come at a better time, as the Care Village will soon be accommodating more children, who will need to be transported to school. At the same time, new school bags and stationary packs were given to all the children. On the photos, the Manager of Human Resources, Anglo Coal, Mr Ray Westermeyer can be seen handing over the keys of the bus to Mr John Brislin, member of the Board of Directors with the children in attendance.

STATUS REPORT DECEMBER 2007

Short Summary of Activities

Four management meetings and five Executive Board meetings were held during November 2007.

During the course of the month the following sponsorships and activities took place:

· The Middelburg Dutch Reformed Church agreed to sponsor the needs of the children of house 7 and the house parent and to see to their spiritual needs.
· The Ridge Entertainment Centre presented each child with their own presentation pack of toiletries, which is a special treat for the children at the MCV.
· On 5 November 2007 The Spur treated all our boys to supper at their restaurant after the girls had had their turn the previous week.
· On 7 November 2007 Vukani Gaming held a very successful PRO event at the MCV where they officially handed over their recent donations of the palisade fencing, kitchen equipment and laundry equipment.

On the evening of 15 November 2007 the children treated the staff and selected guests to a wonderful Christmas pageant. Many a tear was shed by those who attended.

On 23 November 2007 the children were taken to the Virgin Active Gymnasium where they were treated to eats and various other interesting activities and each received a gift.

The same evening they were invited to attend a film evening at one of the local churches.

On 24 November 2007 a tin collection at one of the largest shopping centres was organized by one of the local estate agencies, Chas Everett, in conjunction with Rotary to collect funds for the Middelburg Care Village. Initiatives like this are greatly appreciated.

The biggest challenge for the management of the Middelburg Care Village at present is to place as many of the children as possible with their families or foster homes during the December school holidays.

Capital needs

14 Seater bus
Industrial washing machines
Large generator
Developing and extending boreholes
Renovating vacant houses
Furnishing vacant houses
Clinic and salary for sister
Entertainment Centre
Renovating security guard office at gate
Intercoms office, houses and gate
Small compressor
Medical Fund for staff and children

OPERATING REQUIREMENTS

1. Salaries (domestic workers, social workers etc.)
2. Sewing machines, irons, ironing boards
3. Vacuum cleaners
4. Microwave ovens, toasters,
5. Cutlery, crockery, pots, pans etc for homes
6. Kitchen equipment and utensils
7. Toothpaste-cup holders
8. Shower racks
9. Waste paper baskets
10. Lounge Furniture
11. Carpets for lounge and bathroom/shower floors
12. Pictures/paintings to hang on the walls as well as for the bathrooms
13. Paint: “wall and all” type for interior and exterior use
14. Photostat paper & stationery
15. Toiletries: Shampoo; deodorants/roll-on (boys & girls); soap; toothpaste; aqueous cream; Vaseline
16. Hair driers for girls.
17. School Clothes
a. White shirts: Size 13 years to 16 years
b. Grey shirts: Size 13 years to 16 years
c. Grey shorts: Size 13 years to 16 years
d. Black school shoes: Sizes 1-8
18. Black belts for trousers, size 75cm
19. Tackies: Sizes 1-8
20. Cleaning materials such as Handy-Andy, Sunlight, washing powder etc.
21. Sport bags

The Ridge Sponsership

During October 2007 The Ridge Casino and Entertainment Centre presented each of the children with a new school bag which is very welcome at this time of the school calender. On the photo you can see Monica handing over the school bag to the Manager of The Care Village.

During November 2007 The General Manager of The Ridge, Maureen Klivits and her personnel assistant, Susan Esterhuizen once again surprised all the children by presenting each of them with a wonderful selection of toiletries. On behalf of the management and all the children of the Care Village, a very big thank you to the Ridge for the difference you make.

STATUS REPORT AS AT 30 OCTOBER 2007

Five Management meetings and four Executive Board meetings were held during October 2007.

From 1 to 8 October 2007 the yearly singing Eisteddfod was held at the Care Village.

During the month a courtesy call was made to a number of schools in Mhluzi, where 3 of our children were enrolled at a new secondary school for the first time.

On Saturday 6 October 2007 a very successful talent show was held at the Care Village. All the organization was done by the children themselves while the talent they displayed was a delight for all who attended.

On Saturday 13 October 2007 Life Health Care sponsored a day of recreation at the Pienaarsdam Holiday resort for the older children which included horse riding and game drives.

At the same time the younger children were treated to a jumping castle and eats at the Care Village.

A golf tournament was hosted by ABSA Bank on 18 October 2007 at the Middelburg Country Club on behalf of the Care Village. The proceeds of the tournament including a raffle IN THE AMOUNT OF R 47 000,00 were donated to the Care Village.
Thank you very much ABSA.

The Annual Rotary GSE selections were held at the Care Village from 26 – 28 October 2007. Five candidates were selected to travel to Canada for six weeks as part of the exchange programme.

On Saturday 27 October 2007 the children were sponsored by Ubungani Wilderness Experience to a visit to the historical old mission station at Botshabelo.

A special treat for the children was arranged when all of the girls with their house parents had supper at the Spur Steak Restaurant on Monday 29 October 2007 which was sponsored by Spur. The boys will be treated to supper during November 2007.

Sponsorship Vukani

The Care Village has recently been blessed with two big sponserships by Vukani Gaming Corporation. The old fencing around the Care Village has been replaced by a steel palisade fence which not only ensures greater security on the premises, but has also improved the appearance of the Care Village. Through the donation of a large amout of electrical appliances, the kitchen is being upgraded and our dream of establishing our own laundry will soon be a reality. THANK YOU VUKANI!

Rotary Clubs assist with a large matching grant

The Middelburg Rotary Club and the Strathroy Rotary club in Canada initiated a process for a matching grant in aid of the Middelburg Care Village through the Rotary Foundation during December 2007 after a meeting between Rotarian Chris Das (from Strathroy) and PP Andre Brandmuller(from Middelburg).

As a result of the incredible efforts of Dianne Twynstra and Chris Dasin Canada the grant grew to include contributions from Middelburg, Strathroy, and the clubs of Forest and Grand Bend in Canada.

The amount of R211 000,00 was paid into the project account in the beginning of October 2007 as a result of the approval of the grant.

The Middelburg Care Village will benefit with workshop tools, playground equipment, furnishings, Linen, curtains, duvets, crockery and cutlery, beds and mattresses. In addition the boreholes on the property will be redrilled and assist in the supply of fresh water for, amongst others, the new vegetable and fruit garden.

The Rotary Foundation and its matching grant programme has again assisted in the needs of an organisation which is trying to assist those who need it most.

A big THANK YOU to all involved!!!!!

Super Star Talent Show

On Saterday 6 October 2007 a very successful talent show was held at the Care Village. The planning and organization of the talent show was done by the children themselfes with the help of the house parents and was attended by members of the Management Board and the community. It was a huge success and all who attended were amazed at the talent displayed by the childre.