August News & Photos

It's been a busy few months at ECYCC with lots of work going on behind the scenes with the Department of Social Development and also our building works (getting closer to finish extra bedrooms and bathrooms in the new wing of the house).

Here are a few bits of news and accompanying photos. First off, our new social worker Xolani has settled in well - he has a great relationship with the children and he's very efficient and capable. Here he is helping Ashley and Hendrico fix some broken shelves:

We've had some new arrivals at the home, so a big Emmanuel welcome to Zander, Hilda and Blondy. Here they are with Ronaldo, just before heading off to school:

ECYCC manager Carol and the care workers went through training on FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) in order to learn to handle behavioural problems that can create. With a number of other NPO's from Middelburg attending too, the training course took place for 3 days in July at Agape church and was kindly sponsored by Hands on Africa. ECYCC sponsored the food for the sessions, Agape sponsored the venue and HoA sponsored the accommodation so a great team effort and social spirit. Here is everyone proudly displaying their certificates:

Other snippets of news:

• The building works continue on at a good pace with tiling and plastering of inside and outside walls. We still need to raise an estimated R60,000 in donations to complete all the works and be able to start using all the new rooms.
• We are getting assistance from Hands on Africa for items like beds, wash basins etc which they will being from Cape Town to furnish the new building - another reason to thank them.
• Mr Donald Smiles, retired teacher and Emmanuel board member, is giving extra tutoring lessons to the children on a weekly basis, including Maths.