Did you know it was World Hunger Day yesterday

When we heard that Bright Beginnings was trying to manage on R800 ($80) a month for food (for 50 children/day), volunteers have been quick to dig deep and bought the children fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs and peanut butter to supplement their basic rice and tinned fish diet.  

Take the quiz on http://www.acfs.org.za/quiz.asp to see the surprising benefits of peanut butter.  Who  knew?!

It is hoped we can start a vegetable garden in the near future.

Black & Veatch Families donate books

Some of the books and magazines donated

Thanks so much to returning U.S. families who have donated enough books to Bright Beginnings to start a lending library for the children who use the facility for the after school club.  If anyone locally has any more - we would love to add them to their collection.


We have also heard that returning families are hoping to hold 'garage sales' of goods that cannot be taken back to the U.S. and hopefully funds will be forthcoming for the building works needed at Bright Beginnings such as a new toilet and a safer gate.

Thandeka and friends show us how to dance

Thandeka showed us how to dance Zulu style  - to the delight of the young children. With high volume drum accompaniment - the routine was exciting and drew the attention of several passersby!

Nal'ibali (Tell us a story!)

A group of volunteers have set up a weekly scheme to help the under 6s learn basic English.  Stories are also read to the children in isZulu under the Nal'ibali reading scheme (http://nalibali.org/ ).

The children particularly enjoy the fresh fruit snacks, singing and drawing!

The After School Club have not been forgotten and they are playing board games and puzzles to show them that learning English and maths can be fun too!