Xmas cheer

The Xmas season brought us some good spirit and more happiness. First up we had staff from Build It come to the home to host a party with the children and hand out presents. 

Hands on Africa kindly donated some colourful t-shirts to all the children.

The children danced and enjoyed the holidays.

Hendrico made us all proud by winning the Junior Model of the Year in KZN at Summer Heat.

The children enjoying a nice break away, cooling off in KZN.

Mandela Day

The 'Young Little Stars' gumboot dancers performed at Huis Silverjare, an old age home in Midros, in aid of Mandela day on 18th July.

The Grootfontein cell group, led by Jon Manunu (a board member and part of the Family Church) blessed the children with song, prayer and some delicious cupcakes on Mandela Day; their contribution towards their 67 minutes.

Natasha from Kingdom Connexion in Port Elizabeth sent the children boxes with presents. Thanks to everyone who has been so thoughtful with the children and helped enriched their lives! Lots of smiles all round.

Donations and Fundraising

Donations and fundraising are so important to us and are a life-line to cover the daily expenses to improve and sustain the welfare of the children under our protection, and especially at this time when we are caring for a number of babies.

And now we have a special cause where we need your help: One of our remarkable children, Phelu, is to undergo an operation in October to repair her palate.  This procedure is so important as it will greatly improve her speech and with that, her life. Hands On Africa has committed to cover the medical costs for which we are so grateful. 

But this is where YOU can help: we need contributions to cover the travel costs to and from Cape Town and also for follow-up visits in the future. ‘Can you help with a donation to change a life’. Any gift big or small would be so greatly appreciated. Please contact Carol if you are able to donate.

Here is Phelu at the Grote Shur Hospital recently where she met with doctors and therapists.

Hands on Africa Holiday

Recently some our children returned from a visit to Cape Town where they were hosted by Hands on Africa. The children were able to experience many new things and it will long live in their memories. We've taken the liberty of sharing Hands on Africa's newsletter on the children's visit. We are so grateful for the experience that everyone shared and the kindness in all of their hearts. 

Here's some thanks that Hands of Africa wished to share:
Thank you to the host-parents who opened up their homes to these children: Francois and Karen Cronje; Diana and Erhardt Theart and their daughter, Jolene; Giovanni and Carminda Mangliavalli; Kobus and Nina Barnard; Carina Howard and her family; Marius and Marthe Malan; Werner and Monica Jurgens; Johan and Amelia Kroes and Charl and Corlia du Plessis. Thanks to our sponsors, the V@A Aquarium; Ster-Kinekor, Melkbos Spur and Pinnacle Marketing. Thank you to the individual sponsors, Johann and en Tania de Clerk; Jenny Bosman; Hellani Briers and Elmarie Marais. 

Thank you to Lydia du Plessis for hand knitting a teddy bear for Angel. Thank you to Erhardt and Diana Theart for driving the bus that brought the children here and back. Thank you to everyone who had us in their prayers. Thank you to the Melkbos community who opened up their hearts and flooded us with bedding, clothes, snacks, toys and clothing vouchers to be used by Emmanuel. 

Thank you to the volunteers who assisted at the outings: Nerinna Fourie, Thomas du Plessis, Dawie Albertyn, Yolande Mellet, Michelle Calhau, Lindy Hearn and Lonah Boshof. Thank you to everyone who popped in to meet the children. Lastly thank you to Bertus and Carol Deysel for trusting us with this group.

Art Support

We give thanks to the artists who donated R1000 to ECYCC, provided by putting their paintings into an auction.

A group of well known South African artists have been on an Art Retreat at Erin Country House in Middelburg, painting the inspirational Karoo landscape and buildings. The artists have kindly donated original paintings to be auctioned in order to support various charities in Middelburg and are also exhibiting very affordable paintings for sale.

The artists are:-
Robert Domijan  - Rob Dutton  -  Ronel Alberts
Maureen Gordon  -  Gaynor Gordon  -  Rentia Coetzee
Yvonne Ankerman  -  Harvey Rothschild  -  Retia Lamprecht

We also give thanks to Trevor & Kathy Hyson from Erin Country House in Middelburg who were kind enough to host the event and think of us. Much appreciated!

Erin Country House:
Cell 082 379-0404 •• Tel 049 842-2293

http://www.karooexperience.com/

Building For The Future

More reasons to be grateful for this month - the home continues to grow and make steps to even better facilities and experiences for the children. Volunteer Petra and her friends and family have kindly donated funds for the children to take some fun and educational day-trips and to cover other needs like new clothing. They have been very generous so many thanks to them.

Also Michael Halsey has continued to make a big difference for ECYCC... he has kindly donated to the building funds that will extend one side of the house to make a second bathroom and additional bedroom, increasing our capacity and helping us to meet the standards required of by the Department of Social Development for our registration. The photo below shows the start of the work which will transform the home when completed.

If you would like to support us further with the building work (which we still do not have the full funds to complete) please get in touch with us at emm.childrenshome@gmail.com and consider donating to us on the donation link which accepts all kinds of payment. The link is here. 

Some belated thanks - a couple of months ago we said goodbye to Maria, one of our volunteers from Germany. We were all sad to see her leave, especially the children who had many fun memories with her. Thank you for your kindness Maria and good luck with everything in the future!

Donation Link

We now have the facility to receive online donations. These are processed via a secure online payment system called Payfast which accepts most credit and debit cards (SA and international).

You can click on this link and this will take you to our Payfast cause page where you can donate. Enter your donation amount in the box (the value will be in South African Rand) and you will be taken to a page where you can pay with your credit card or internet banking. If you are an international donor you can use the credit card facility for Visa or Mastercard (current exchange rates are here)

All payments go directly into the ECYCC ABSA bank account from which all day-to-day running costs of the home are paid. If you would like to specify that your donation is used for a particular project we can make provision for this.

If you have any questions on donating please email us (emm.childrenshome@gmail.com) and we'll your questions. We will happily provide a written receipt for donations. ECYCC accounts are audited annually as part of the Department of Social Development's requirements for maintaining non-profit organisation status.

All donations, big or small, are gratefully received and make a massive difference to the lives of the children we care for. 

New Volunteers

Some more things we are grateful in recent weeks...
Firstly, we're very grateful for big donation we received: R23,200 from the company Goldee Trading 174 CC2. The contact person for the company was Hester (a local born and bred in Middelburg) and she suggested that they should donate to ECYCC this time around. Thank you so much! The funds help us to pay for important day-to-day costs essential to the running of the home: electricity, care-worker salaries, food etc.

Secondly, we would like to welcome new volunteers to the home: Petra and Maria from Germany. They have settled in really quickly and are making a great difference to the children's lives with their kindness and enthusiasm. We've very glad to have them with us! Here's some of their recent photos... 

Counting our Blessings

2013 has been another successful year for ECYCC. We're very happy to have 11 children staying with us currently and the support of lots of people to do this. The home is now 4 and half years old since it took the Emmanuel name, and it continues to flourish, touched by the kindness of everyone who helps ECYCC in whatever way they best can. We would like to make special mention of people who we give our thanks to and wish a happy festive season:

For their support: Karen McEwan, Rhett Newton, Kobus van Straten, as well as Vicky and Gill for from Production Four13.

For their donations and sponsorship: Marna de Vos, Kevin Goddard, Mr. Cunningham, Agape Church,  St Barnabas Anglican Church, Bertus Deysel from Auto Body Repairs, Spar Middelburg, and Tinus du Plessis.

The staff; Dolly, Martha, and Martie who are our hard-working carers, as well as Johanna our administrator who has recently successfully started a Pastoral Care course.

Our board members; including Alfie and Jaco, who has taken on the role of Treasurer this year.

Our kind-hearted volunteers who come to experience life with us; Alex and Sophia, both from Germany.

And other people who have touched our heart:

• Trevor from Erin Country House who organised and ran an Art Auction fundraiser.
• Nehemia Ministries for the kids Xmas party.
• Hands on Africa for their special visit to the home.
• Transkaroo MTB for their long-distance cycling fundraiser event.
• The staff from the Wellness clinic and the Occupational Therapist for their successful help towards the well being of the kids. 
• Dr Willem van der Walt for his efforts with treating Sinakwe towards better health. 

Thanks to all and special wishes for everyone to have a successful 2014!

New News

We have a mystery donor, named Kevin who supports us with a donation each month, but we're not sure from where or how, it just appears in the ECYCC bank account. We would like to say thank you to this kind man, whoever he maybe. A good samaritan it seems.

It was recently a national initiative on 18th July for people to celebrate Nelson Mandela's birthday by giving 67 minutes of community service to symbolically mark 1 minute for every year of his public service. We had these nice contributions:

• Our local Grootfontein College sent a large group to cleanup the yard, the home and repair the swings on the 18th July.
• Quintin Vlooh of Eastern Cape Security, also helped with repairs at the home.
• Middelburg Begrafnisdienste, Rhett Newton's office, delivered gift parcels to our children.
• Methodist Church ladies in Midros, also sent parcels to the children.
• Vionolia, Auxiliary Worker at ECYCC, painted their puppet house.
• ECYCC's own contribution towards the 67 minutes was to provide the sound and truck towards a substance abuse and drug abuse event held in Middelburg, which featured a local choir organized by the local DOSD Middelburg.

Thanks to everyone that took part and supported us. A really great way for people to come together and help one another.

And finally, some nice photos from our TransKaroo friends which they shared with us. Their efforts look epic! This is fundraising in the extreme.

June News

Thank you to all the people and organisations who have supported ECYCC in recent months. As always we are grateful for their kindness and we have some nice updates to report on:


This month is Child Protection Month in SA, ABSA Bank in Middelburg will have a box out inside the bank in order for their clients to donate items.

Also the children,their families and teachers at  Kleingeluk Gedenk Skool (a pre-school from M/B) donated some teddy bears for the ECYCC children, some clothing items and some funds in order for our children to have a little party at home. The funds were used for the kids to have a movie night and some snacks to keep cosy from the cold.

Handelshuis M/B donated rolls of material for us to make new curtains and table cloths for the home. Katy (care worker) will do the curtains as she is trained in this area. We have recently welcomed Katy into the home as a new staff member. She is a caring and loving person, very patient and responsible.

Last but not least, a big donation! Donald Smiles (politician and advisory board member of the home) donated funds for tiles, tile cement and grout towards the renovating of the boys bathroom. This will be a great gift and we are grateful for the opportunity to further improve the facilities in the house.

Please see some new photos below:

1. Kids baking with Bertie (our very kind night volunteer)
2. Teachers from  Kleingeluk Gedenk Skool M/B donated teddy bears for Child Protection Week
3. Kids doing a prayer before dinner-time

Spring News

We have some little updates and thank yous to share which affect the home our 'little ones'. 

Photo 1- this is of Chrissie and Nakwe being looked after by a volunteer while the adults made 350L of soup for the KMMC (Karoo Mighty Men Conference). Rhett Newton (Vice Chairman of the Board) donated the materials towards this cause in order for the ECYCC to have soup, curry & rice and other refreshments exchanged on a donation basis available at the camp. The soup was made at the home where Martha, Dora, Jovonne & Carol had to make the soup, veggies and meat (veggies sponsored by Wolwekop Fruit & Veg, Mr. Appelgryn and meat sponsored by Deon Schoombie, a local farmer). Craig and Jovonne Erasmus got the gas, bottles, pots and generator sponsored by individual people from the Middelburg area. 

The food and drinks were divided amongst the ECYCC and other charitable projects in the district so everyone could benefit. All together we (ECYCC) received R16 000.00 in total from donations which makes all the hard work worthwhile and provides much-needed funds for the running of the home. We were happy to feed people at the KMMC as this was a Christian Conference and a good cause all together. We thank you Rhett for your generosity and belief in us. 

Photo 2 - Veronica enjoying some outdoor activities at a recent event. Through these good Samaritans we can have the children do exciting stuff like youth camps. Without these faithful supporters we cannot do this.

Photo 3 - the children enjoying the day out on a farm with Nehemia Ministries doing some outdoor activities and song & dance. Days like this are some our happiest.

Photo 4 - Carol (home manager) and Martha (carer) attended two training courses recently which are certificated. The Fire Maker Wellbeing workshop in February 2012 focussed on self care for the carer. Then in May 2012, a Fire Maker workshop for the Creative Arts in Psycho Social Support. This is done through the Zakheni Arts Therapy Foundation, a local NGO. We are looking forward to the next workshop in July 2012.

Counting Our Blessings

We would like to share thank you for all the recent kind support we've had from our community of friends and colleagues - without them it would not the same spirit driving forward the home...

1. Kevin Chetty who made a donation in memory of a loved one. We were really touched by this generosity.

2. Marna de Vos and Elzanne Vosloo (two Occupational Therapists from the local hospital) who left Middelburg this  last December - we thank them for their love and support for the home and the children, and Marna for her faithful contributions the past year.

3. Sanet van Graan and her husband for sponsoring the Xmas party for the kids.

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4. Alf & Brenda for presents and other support.

5. Nehemia Ministries for the kid's Xmas party on the farm and for their presents.

6. Karen McEwan for her support and commitment.

7. Rhett Newton for his donation.

Thanking Our Patrons

We would like to thank Dianne Lang who continues to support the home through her fundraisers. The funds have helped contribute to the running of home, as well as a day-trip for the children to the nearby Zebra Park which was thoroughly enjoyed. She has remained a good friend of ECH and our thoughts are with her.

Also kind regards to our Emmanuel Kumi who has kindly donated to the home - we thank him for his monthly support.

Our Supporters

We were very happy to receive a visit from Francke Ferreira, winner of Eastern Cape's Miss Summer Heat pageant. Francke came bearing gifts for the children and donations which she tirelessly collected through fundraising activities. She brought her us her warmth to the house and the children were so pleased to meet here as you can see below. We cannot thank you enough Francke...

We are also grateful to our friends over in the UK. Recent volunteers Mark and Marlin, plus friends and family (Rob, Paul and Brian), undertook a big sponsored challenge to climb the three highest mountains in the UK (Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales), all in the space of 24 hours. Their hard work paid off, completing it in 23 hours and 38 minutes, and as a result raising over £3000 for the Emmanuel home. We thank everyone who showed kindness in sponsoring the boys, there are too many good names to mention but recognise their contribution. Well done and thank you for giving more hope to our children!

Valued Support

We are overdue giving thanks to our kind benefactors - we cannot fully express our gratitude for supporting us and most importantly the children.

Belated thanks for Candice and Sylvia Currie and suppliers for the children's xmas presents

Volunteers Chris and Lucy from back in December, and also both their parents

Volunteer Gen from Canada

Continued support from the girls at VNG

Woord & Lewe Church from Sunward Park, Johannesburg

Kobus van Straaten from Middelburg

Shona Thompson in Scotland

Pastor and Ms Oboyo in Ireland

Anonymous donor through the NG Church in Middelburg

Thandi, our board member who commits herself to helping this home

Volunteers Mandy and Anja, their friends and family

Louise and Des Gudzeit

Nehemiah ministries

Eunice Pruis from Australia

Dieter Bucher

Special thanks to Henning Kroemer and the Leo Club Wuppertal in Germany

UK Charity Partner

There is positive news for Emmanuel Children's Home now that it is affiliated with the UK charity Hope for Children (Helping Orphaned, Poor and Exploited children all over the world). We thank them for assisting the home by extending their support to us and hope this will be a long and fruitful partnership.

They have very similar values to ECH: "We are a low-cost and no frills charity and are proud to say that 100% of public donations go directly to cause for which it was donated. We manage to keep our costs low thanks to our volunteers. We work with grass roots projects around the world and we aim to catch those who cannot get aid, support or assistance elsewhere. We really do offer hope to those who need it the most."

Their project page for ECH is here, where the link to donate can be found. UK residents can make one-off donations through this channel, as well are regular direct debits. All funds are audited and they are able to claim Gift Aid on any UK taxpayer's donations which increases the value of the gift.

Warm Hearts

We would like to offer thanks to the many people who have supported us through their involvement with the home and those who have given us much needed donations. The home would not continue without such kindness. From recent months we would like to thank:

• Principal Wagner from Middelberg High School
• Nehemia Ministries for donations and prayers
• PJs for food donations
• Duvan's Dairy for milk donations
• Van der Merwe primary school in Midros for bread donations
• Continued help from Thinus and Jolene Buitendacht
• Mike and Candy Ferrar for providing a vehicle
• Ladies from the NG Church and the Gereformeerde Church for their collections
• Werner from Middelburg Windmills
• Ponnie and Kirsty for their individual donations

For the month of December we have two new volunteers living and working at the home: Lucy and Chris from the UK. We are very grateful for them committing to help us and the children over the Xmas period, and we look forward to sharing happy times together.

Kind Donors

We continue to receive much-needed help from many good samaritans and we would like them offer them our thanks...

• Agape Church, Middelburg
• Mr Wagner from Middelburg High School
• NG Church, Middelburg
• Mr and Mrs Erasmus
  

We would also like to thank our recent volunteer Martyna who has now returned back to Canada. She was so kind and helpful and we cannot thank her enough for giving us and the children her time and effort.

In the past week we've welcomed little Willempie back into the home, a 3-year old boy who brings us light and laughter. He has sadly needed our care and we pray he is given a loving home soon. Donations like these mentioned help support us to continue running the home and allow our doors to stay open to shelter shining stars like Willempie.

Thank You!

We wish to give heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been so kind to support the Emmanuel Children's Home, ensuring that its doors can remain open and we can care for the children we hold so dear. For every dark day we've had, we've had someone come along and offer us hope through their kindness. Our list of recent donors include:

Brightsparx - WTF Creative - Minister du Toit - Marieda from Middelberg Properties - Pieter Jooste - Dieter Bucher - GM Security - Pastor & Mrs Oboyo of Divine Hope of Glory International Church - Thinus Buitendag and Jolene Jacobs-Buitendag - Francois & Arinda van Tonde - Hein & Ronel Deysel - Vicky, Nicky and Gillian at VNG - the people who donated through Mark Nash and Marlin Merholz:

Paul & Candice Nash - Adam Bruch - Melanie Hall - Kate Bonollo - David Bratt - Judith Suhleder - Pia Maurer - Georg Hoffmann - Simeon Mueller-Goette - Tilman Roers - Paco Langjahr - Heike Schacher - Elias Ordelmans - Sebastian Schacher - Jens van Rennings - Jenny Janßen - Franziska Frohs - Esther Merholz - Gabi Merholz - Nanni Post - Frank Schlebes - Hilde Schlebes - Margot Merholz - Walter Dobbek - plus the following people by surname : Maassen - Bauer-Droege - Mantau - Hoffmann - Esmann - Buszek - Mullender - Krengel