From rooted to free!

 Because of a commitment to teach an older lady to read, the rest of the year I was pretty much rooted in Jeffreys' Bay.

I studied 2 online courses that were really very beneficial to me personally, but then I started to implement it also into the weekly Tut class I had with the LXP Aftercare teachers. Now, with that experience, I think it would be beneficial to work out some kind of weekly curriculum that can be  available for Aftercare Centers.

I did train the Sophakama Tutor Program over two consecutive Wednesdays at the end of September / beginning of October to a few moms of Global Challenge. Among them were some Occupational Therapists and Teachers, who once again validated the practical usefulness and quality of the training to me.

And so 2024 draws to a close. I am excited to have an open agenda for the first 6 months of 2025. I can literally go anywhere or do anything within the boundaries of my jurisdiction.

Here and there and everywhere!

One of the Non Profit Organisations Joshua Project, that I did some training with in 2021, asked me to do the Tutor training with a few of their staff in May. They want to expand the work in Humansdorp to also include Tutoring. The need is great!

Also in May I went to Cape Town for a conference and then a lady that did the training in 2019 asked me to do the tutor training with a few of her colleagues at The Paragon Generation, that want to start a tutoring project in Kraaifontein. It was very encouraging for me to do that.

In June I then got the opportunity to teach the tutor training again, but this time with a few ladies in Hartenbos. Their church is reaching out in a poor community, helping kids that struggle with reading and maths. They were so glad for the training and reports that I received from them recently confirmed to me that they are implementing what I taught them. That always brings joy to my heart.

In July I started in Thornhill to train five ladies, but they have since decided not to continue. I am disappointed, because they admitted that there is a great need for trained tutors. Maybe in the future another door of opportunity will open in that community.

The ABC Adventure with the ACTT 2024 students, completed the training at the end of July and we had a lovely graduation ceremony for them on the 31st of July at First Light Coffee Shop.

There are some possible training opportunities that needs to be finalized for September. Other than that I am ready to take the training to any community that would like to invest in the future of our children.

Evelyn

 

A Good Report.

 Excited to start with the Road Trip Circles (see previous blog), I set off in January to Kirkwood, Addo and Paterson to see and hear what the need for ABC Adventure would be in the Sundaysriver area. I spoke to stakeholders in all three towns and gathered that there is indeed a need there. Since I had to start with the ABC Adventure in February with the ACTT 1^st year students, I could not immediately follow up on that need, but plan a visit in June/July.

The ABC with the ACTT students are going well. Last week they did their Tutor practical in Humansdorp at Graslaagte Primary School. It went well.

 

This past week I taught the Tutor Training again, this time to four ladies from Transkei as well as two of LXP's volunteers. All six these ladies are already involved at Aftercare Centers and it was so nice to give people tools that you know they are going to use.

I receive very encouraging reports from Ysterfontein, George from the ladies I trained in December 2023. They started tutoring kids from their community with very positive results.

And so the work continue!

Evelyn

Finishing strong and looking towards the future.

Since my last blog entry I have done the Sophakama Tutor Training twice. The first was back in Jeffrey’s Bay In October. There I trained 3 individuals. One was a Dutch missionary that volunteered with Joshua Project in Humansdorp. They are reaching out to the community that lives next to the rubbish dump. 

 The second training was in December in Ysterfontein, George. There I trained 10 ladies, working within a very poor community. I enjoyed training these ladies who have a true heart of compassion for the children in their community. Some ladies were already teaching at a Preschool on the premises where we had our training. They are well trained and with their ECD background they quickly understood my perception development exercises and the six steps of learning to read. Some of the other ladies are keen to help children in their community who struggle with reading and mathematics. I will be happy to give them their certificates once they complete their practical lessons.

 And so as 2023 draws to a close. I have a very strategic vision for 2024 onwards that I call: “The Roadtrip Circles Vision.” I have identified certain towns close to one another as possible circles where I would like to travel to in order to do training there. I am investigating the following circles for the first phase of this project.

* Kirkwood, Addo and Paterson area 

* Thornhill, Loerie, Hankey and Patensie area 

* Humansdorp, Clarkson and Kareedouw area 

* Joubertina and Misgund area 

* Willowmore, Bestersdal and Sonop area

* Steytlerville and Kleinpoort area 

* Somerset East, Cookhouse and Bedford area. 

 If you know of any stakeholders that I can contact in one of these areas, please let me know.  

Peace! 

Evelyn

August already!

Wow! This year is running ahead with a speed! In the Second Term I finished 2023's ACTT students here at Global Challenge. They did their practicals in their own communities and they might even continue with the children that they started with for the sake of the practical credits. I trust that they will. They graduated at a beautiful, intimate ceremony and we celebrated their future in Education with them. I heard good reports from the guys in the Transkei where I taught last year. They are taking the training further to other communities that is in need of this information. I also did three Sophakama Tutor Training Workshops. The first was in Jeffreys' Bay (6 May) with a diverse group of students. The second was in Mosselbay (10-11 July) with two NGO leaders who want to expand their ministry scope and the third was in Paarl (24 July) with a couple of Stellenbosch Teaching students. While I was away a Maths Club started in Ocean View, Jeffreys' Bay with a group of High School students. I am really excited about that!

Going deeper into real problems.

 

In January, February and March 2023, I spent a few days each month in Port Alfred, where I trained 8 people with the ABC Adventure material. Most of them are already involved with an Aftercare in one of the schools, so they do have the opportunity to practice what they have learned.

February and March we attended their Aftercare, which was good as to help with some practical advice where needed. What struck me in February again, was how a little bit of input, can accomplish so much. We helped some kids with Maths that they did not understand and when they got it, it lead to them explaining it to others around them.

In March, there was a girl, who in that week was raped. Carina could counsel her a bit and help with some of the official processes. I am deeply concerned about rape and what devastating effect it has on a person. The question that is burning inside of me is, how such a person can come to a place of healing, so that the rest of their lives are not determined by that and so that their value is not forever equated to that act of cruelty! Of course, a lot of energy must go into protecting and preventing such things. What role can and should Educational Centers play in this?

In March I also linked up again with a boy who are selling fruit in town, but who actually wants to go back to school. We finally got to the bottom of the problem: He does not have a birth certificate. With his mother having already passed on, the matter is complicated, but not impossible. A social worker at Joshua Project has given me advice on how to tackle this matter, for which I am very grateful.

Sophakama! We shall rise!

Evelyn

Encouraged around every turn!

 In June and July we finished the last things outstanding for the ABC/ACTT students to graduate. This they did and we had a lovely evening @ First Light Coffee Shop, celebrating their achievements.

Also in July I returned to Canzibe, Transkei to complete the second week of the “Out of Town training”. (Please look here if you would like to see how such training works.) It was nice to now already know the students a little better. The reports of how they are implementing the training warms my heart.

In the past 4 months I also trained 7 students with the Sophakama Tutor Training. One lady started her practical at a school, but because of the holidays that started, could not complete it, so she continued with a few kids in her neighborhood. Now that the practical is completed, the neighbors have asked her to continue with their children, as they can see the value the lessons add to their children's academic development. I always rejoice when I hear such reports. 

The ABC Spring Adventure had only one participant. Even though I would have liked to have more, it was really good to invest in the one. Caron Hammond was a star student in every way. She read through all the material after every class and implemented every sphere we touched on. Well done!!!

I am currently busy with training at a local Safe House for Children. The founder, Nelly, is such an inspiring person and you can see her positive influence on her children. I am talking to them about how they can all play a part in the development of the little one between the ages of three to six years in their family. I have been enriched myself from this time with them.

Well, that is my news at this time.

 

Evelyn