Emmanuel boys competing in a cooking competition with the girls. Each team gets a chance to cook lunch and dinner for a day. The winning team will receive a prize. Winners will be announced soon

Emmanuel girls having High Tea

The Young Little Stars gumboot dancers performed at the Civic Centre Youth Day 2017

Our 7 Years with Karoo Mighty Men

Carol Deysel

17 mins · 

8 Junie 2017
Emmanuel Child&Youth Care,

Namens die KarooMMC komitee wil ons julle bedank vir julle deelname aan Karoo MMC vir die afgelope 7 jaar. Julle was deel van ‘n span wat duisende mense se lewens onherroeplik verander het...
“Praise the Lord, my son is 16 years old and was at MMC last year as well as this year; he was a different boy and has been blessed with all the powerful messages.”
“Thank you for the best weekend ever, me giving my heart to the Lord.”
Vandag is Karoo Mighty Men ‘n herinnering. Nie iets om af te stof nie maar om naby jou hart te koester...
Stof– FanieLaubscher

Ekhou die stap skoene vas in my hand en wil dit begin afstof, maar huiwer vir ‘n oomblik.
Hierdie stof verteenwoordig so baie.Hierdie is ongelooflike ervaring stof. Dit is stof van die Karoo en my laaste stukkie van tasbare onthou.
Die plaas, die manne wat aanstap, die groot verhoog, die opgewondenheid… alles sulke vinnige terug blik oomblikke wat nou deur my gedagtesspoel. Die musiek begin speel, die indrukwekkende verhoog voor ons en so effe links, die laaste onthou van die grootsheid van ‘n Karoo son sak.
Ek onthou hierdie oomblikke amper die beste van elke jaar se Karoo MMC. Amper soos die Here se verwelkomings groet by die Karoo. Terwyl die wolke subtiel ingekleur word en die manne se stemme begin opdruis kry ek so effense heimweegevoel van ‘n laaste Karoo Mighty Men sonsak. Ek probeer elkesekonde inneem, want ekbesefhierdie is onslaastebesoeksaam op die plaas.
Ekkykaf en maak my oë toe. Ek bid uitdankbaarheid. Dankbaar vir oomblikke, dankbaar om te kan bid. Ek bid vir my seuntjie se toekoms, sommer vir die oom regsvoor my se toekoms ook. Ek bid oorbekommernisse en ek bid virGenade. Ek maak my oë oop en sien die droë grond en stukkies gras rondom my skoene. My sit-plekkie op die plaas. My stukkie grond waarek so baie met die Here sit en praat gedurende die naweek.
Hierdie stof op my stap stewels is nie werklik
stof wat ek wil af skud nie. Dit verteenwoordig so baie. My alleen oomblikke met God tussen duisende manne. My Karoo son sak oomblikke. ‘n Kosbare hartstyd wat ek altyd by my sal dra. Stof wat dalk droogte weerspieël, maar die Karoo is groen en ons binneste ontvang reën wat ons gemoed en geloof versterk en nuwe lewe bring. Nuwe hoop, nuwe uitsien en nuwe denke oor ‘n God wat Sy kosbare beskermende hande om ons vou en ons styf vashou met deernis en onderskraging.
Wat ‘n wonderlike voorreg en seëning om met hierdie herinneringe te kan wegstap.

Ja voorwaar ‘n voorreg om so ‘n ryke herinnering in jou hart te kan dra.

Nogmaals baie dankie, mag julle werklik geseënd wees!

Ruthi van der Merwe (Namens Karoo Mighty Men Komitee)

Emmanuel Child and Youth Care Centre was responsible for the Coke stall at the 2017 KMMC. All moneys earned will be put towards the building extension and recreational room at the home. It is very costly though and we will be needing more sponsors and one off donations. Our plan is to complete this project for the children to have a indoor sports/play area where as they currently just have the outdoor space which can be freezing cold in winter time.

Other needs are:
1 Linen and curtains/cutlery and crockery
2 Chairs and tables/room closets/loose carpets
3 Educational toys and books
4 Winter clothing for boys (somehow we have plenty for girls)
5 Christian books, DVD's and Bibles
6 Christian Volunteers
7 Other Tutors in Maths, Music etc
8 Volunteers towards renovations
9 Funds towards professional staff training e.g. transport, training fees, salaries

All nutrition, child programs and projects as well as personal items like toiletries etc are being funded by the Department of Social Development for the next financial period.

All Emmanuel Care Workers will soon be send for professional training as to give our children a more specialized service. Monitoring by the Department will be in place. The training is costly and therefore we will be needing much needed funds.

Emmanuel members are thankful to all people caring for our children and the home in some way, for prayers and spiritual support as well as other more physical contributions.

The Emmanuel gumboot dancers, The Young Little Stars (8 boys), had a very successful past year and still going strong. The dancers are currently practicing for their next event....please watch this space.....more to come. Please follow their photo's and success stories in previous blogs. Our male models, Hendrico and Cecil did not attend The Arts, USA this year, although they were invited by International Judges, funding just did not cut it for them. They needed about ZAR200 000.00 in total, covering plane tickets, accommodation and food, visa's, passports. They remain positive for next year though. The models have decided to trust God to provide and if He so will, if they do not go, they will remain training, auditioning where possible as well as performing locally. We are proud of the guys.

All Emmanuel children are praying for the Knysna and other victim areas affected by floods and the fire in Western Cape. Emmanuel would like to make a contribution towards this in some form. We are currently making arrangements via a contact

Last but not least, we support Chairman Bertus Deysel in his mission to minister and provide Bibles towards men and boys in Rossmead, local area outside of Middelburg. Bertus completed his Diploma course in Technology with Hands On Africa although Evangelism among our local communities  is his passion. Our prayers goes with Bertus.

Karoo Mighty Men Conference 2017. All men and boys from Emmanuel could attend!

Emmanuel Child and Youth Care Centre would like to thank the following people for their donations, commitment and care towards the Emmanuel children:

1 Hands On Africa for their relationship with all the children and members of our cause
2 Natasha from Kingdom Connexion Port Elizabeth for donation in the form of goods
3 Nadia Kruger from Cradock for volunteering at the home
4 Johan Scheepers for meat donations
5 Emperian bike riders Middelburg and Bikers Association Cradock for donations and time spend with the children
6 Mark Nash and family for donations
7 Anna and Sebastiaan from Germany for volunteering and donations towards the children
8 Julia from Germany for volunteering
9 Auto Body Repairs Middelburg for ongoing support
10 Rhett Newton for sponsorship
11 Ms Olivier from Western Cape for sponsorship
12 Mr Goddard for sponsorship
13 St Barnabas Anglican Church for sponsorship
14 Spar Middelburg for bread donations
15 All Anonymous sponsors and donors for love and care towards the home and the children
16 Bertus Deysel for his spiritual support and Bible teaching
17 The Bible Institute for sponsoring Bibles in different languages and also a much needed audio Bible
18 Engela Viljoen for Gym Classes to big girls
19 Glen for opening his gym to our big boys
20 Occupational Therapists for their ongoing visits and support
21 Visitors dropping in at the centre on a daily basis with goodies for the children in the form of food parcels, snacks, fruit and veg, winter clothing, toys and other. You are too many to mention yet we do appreciate each and every Samaritan that cares for the children.

Emmanuel members could attend this event in Bloemfontein. We continue to pray for our country and our people, for the children of this nation as they are our future. Emmanuel kids we love you!

Emmanuel children with the bike riders at Agape Church having a lovely time

Day spend with Hands On Africa at City of Refuge Middelburg

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.

Our Talents

A photo of the Young Little Stars with Nate Butler from the US at the ARTS Johannesburg. Hendrico and Cecil have been invited as models to go to Florida in July 2017 as part of an International Talent showcase! 

The gumboot team put on a great performance and with some more time to develop their show they'll have a good chance of being invited too in 2018. They had very positive feedback from international judge Kim Myers and we are extremely proud of them. 

We are also looking for sponsors for Hendrico and Cecil as it will come to a large amount of R73,000 each to cover all their costs to attend the showcase. This is a huge opportunity for children from a children's home, boosting their self worth and confidence. It also inspires the others to do better and to be disciplined in what they can achieve. If anyone could find it in their hearts to help with sponsorship this could make dreams come true for these hard-working and ambitious children. Please can get in contact.

And here's the welcoming committee back at the home ready to celebrate the Little Stars return with some home made cakes.

Here's an example of the certificate each boy got for their involvement. Well done - a great achievement!

Building skills

Ashley and Hendrico volunteered to help with a building project at the home and have done a fantastic job, learning many new skills. They even completed the brick work themselves. Both of them want to own their own building company one day.

Capturing the Children's Energy

Here's a video produced by one our volunteers. Lots of singing, dancing and playtime in the house!

Capitec Birthday Party

The staff members of Capitec bank held a party for the children at Emmanuel on Saturday 13th August. It was the birthday of Ronaldo (one of the bank's employee's) so they decided to celebrate by sharing the occasion; setting up a jumping castle for the small ones and some lovely gift bags for all Emmanuel children. It was a team effort from all staff at Capitec Bank Middelburg. A heartwarming occasion - happy birthday Ronaldo!

Celebrating Women's Day on 9th August

The girls and care workers (Abigail and Bulelani) had great fun dressing up!

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.

Ashley visits Cape Town

Some photos of Ashley enjoying his visit to Cape Town where he stayed with his host family, Marius and Marthe. He had a great experience which he'll remember for a long time.

Young Little Stars lighting-up lives with Dance and Prayer

Here's an article on the success of our gumboot dancers and what it means for them. Have a look at the link:
http://gatewaynews.co.za/young-little-stars-lighting-up-lives-with-dance-and-prayer/

A small extract from the article:

Social worker at ECYCC, Xolani Numpume, who is the dancers’ mentor, says the entire experience has been an eye opener for him as he has witnessed the personal development in each of “The Young Little Stars” as they have had the chance to explore their potential and capabilities.

He says it has also been a lesson in discipline, not only for the gumboot dancing team, but for all the children at ECYCC who see the team practice seven-days-a-week between 3pm and 4pm.

“The experience has meant a lot in their lives and given them something to work towards. Every day they learn something new about themselves; not only about gumboot dancing but also about themselves as a people.”

Carol [the home's manager] says one of the most positive outcomes of “The Young Little Stars” has been how it has boosted each member’s confidence.

“I can see the growth in the dancers, they have developed a belief in themselves and that they are capable of succeeding. Their sense of self-worth has grown, which is something we are constantly challenged to work on with all the children at ECYCC.”

Riders Visit Home

The Empyrean riders visited the centre on Saturday 28 May handing some goody bags to the children, delicious soup and home made bread.  The children were pleased to see them and performed a gumboot dance in their honour.  It was a great day in the sunshine!