Trying out new formats!

 July and August were difficult months with Covid 19 running rampart.

In September I launched a new format for the ABC Adventure/Sophakama Internship. The course ran for 3 months, but only every second Saturday. This worked very well. During the 2 weeks in between classes the students had time to finish their practicals.

I had 4 students for this course - 1 a lady from Cradock that still wanted to do the training. She joined online from her local church building, benefiting from the WiFi there.

Having done the course in those 6 daylong sessions, the stage was set for doing the course in two weeks. Teaching on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; with observations and practicals done on Tuesday and Thursday. The idea would then be to return a month or two later to do the second week with the same rhythm.

At the end of November 2021 I piloted this structure, when I was invited to Bronkhorstspruit to teach the staff of 4 local schools the Week 1. It worked out quite well. Now, the stage is set for me to move into more communities as opportunities presents itself, while at the same time having a solid home base.

I include the 6 days teaching program as it is done in the 3 months, every second week format for your information.

Teaching 1: Teacher and child.

Home work: 1 Observation at a Preschool.

Read School readiness and write a report.

Teaching 2: Preschool daily program

Home work: Have a practical lesson.

Write a test!

Teaching 3:Tutor training on how to teach reading and basic mathematics.

Home work: Do 10 tutor lessons.

(5 lessons each with 2 children)

Teaching 4: Emotional Intelligence & Introduction to Basic Counseling skills

Home work: Do 2 EI lessons at a school or Aftercare.

Teaching 5: Camping & Outings

Home work: Organize a camp or Outing.

Choose a community issue.

Teaching 6: Community project

Home work: Make a presentation to a community panel who will evaluate the project.

Peace

Evelyn

Many Opportunities opening up.

In the past 2 months I had many opportunities to do training.

The first was at Walmer Link in Gqeberha at the Mosaic SA school. There I trained 7 (teachers and parents) with the Sophakama Tutor material. My old friend, Bongiwe Robin introduced me to this ministry and I was happy to see the passionate work that they are doing there.

 

When I first lived in Jeffreys' Bay (2014-2017), I always wanted to do something in Hankey, but it did not open up for me. In June 2021 I finally had that opportunity, when I was invited to train some of the Carers of Thorros Child and Youth Care Centre. I became aware of the great tool that the Sophakama Tutor Training is in situations like these and trust that each carer will grow in their skills as they help the children there.

I also had two opportunities in Jeffreys' Bay that opened up. The one was at Joshua Project. I met Lunga Mlangeni (director) at a prayer event for non-profit organizations and he invited me to do some training with their teachers. I was happy for the opportunity and look forward to continue a relationship with them.

 

Finally, for 3 consecutive Mondays I did training at LXP with students and some staff. They have recently started an Aftercare with 70+ children from the community. Because they will in reality not engage in one on one or small group tutoring, I had to adapt my approach and lean more on my experience as a class teacher to help them in this task. I have committed myself to help them with material for the different levels as well as to on a weekly basis help them plan their weekly teaching program. I am so excited about this new Aftercare. I did some reading evaluation with some of the kids and found they are truly in need of some major intervention. May God help us!

 

A year of Covid 19!

 I finished the first term of 2020 at Carinus School in March 2020 and was not able to return to the school for the rest of the year.

The Maths Club's doors were closed until September 2020, but then we continued until November 2020.  I got two new tutors there in Xoliswa Tshingana and Antoinette Botha.

The Internship continued from mid-May to mid- June virtually, but then we continued in person classes again on a weekly basis.  Because my apartment was too small to keep social distance and specifically for transport protocols, we met the first 3 months at the URCSA church building in Michausdal.  The numbers fell to only three through this whole process.  At the end of October we had our graduation party with much joy and thankfulness.  It was held at the Church Building of Victory Family Church Cradock. I was so grateful when one of the Interns started work as a teachers assistant at the beginning of 2021.

Then, at the end of November I moved back to Jeffreys' Bay.  So far this year I have done the Sophakama Tutor Training 3 times already. Firstly to a teacher that is going to help struggling kids at Oakridge School, after that to 9 students with the new ABC Adventure Program at GLA and lastly to some of the teachers at the Makukhanye Primary School.  4 of the ABC Adventure students did their practical at Makukhanye school and are now helping struggling kids at the school on a weekly basis.

Being back in Jeffreys Bay, I am taking time to once again market the different training opportunities in the Kouga area as well as the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.

In a few month's time it will be 10 years since I returned to South Africa and started this work of tutoring children from poorer communities.  The Sophakama Tutor Programme has been a good tool to help many kids.

I am grateful!

Evelyn

Every chair taken!

Two weeks ago literally every chair in my apartment was 

taken, when all 7 of this year's Interns came to our 

teaching time.  We have started the year with 2 weeks 

of focusing on characteristics of teachers and children. 

Now, we are looking into why ALL the activities in the 

Daily Program of the Playschool are important and how 

to run a Daily Program that will develop the Preschooler 

in totality.  7 is more than I had planned for, but I am 

excited for what the Internship can open up for each one 

of them.  Last year, two of the Interns found new interests 

and opportunities for their future and I am grateful that 

the Programme could play a part in that.

The Maths Club in Lingelihle also started with a bang! 

I could never have imagined that kids would be so excited 

to attend a Maths Club.  I am happy that 2 of the 

Interns are joining me there.  The help with the older 

grades and that should free me to help those with learning 

difficulties.

In Carinus, I am taking Grade 1 learners again in small 

groups.  During the holidays I developed a reading book for 

teaching Afrikaans reading and I am now testing this material 

with these learners. So far, so good!!!

We have lost 3 monthly donor this past months.  So, if you 

are doing a sport event and would like to make us your charity, 

this link could help to channel funds to us.

Evelyn

Camp and Graduation

 The 2nd of November 2019 will be remembered by many as the day Siya Kolisi's Springbok team won the Rugby World Cup in Japan, but for some kids from Cradock it will always be remembered as the day they for the first time ever, swam in the ocean.

So, 1-3 November I took 10 kids and 2 of the 2019 Interns camping in Jeffreys' Bay.  We were welcomed in the Mission House on the Global Leadership Academy's Campus.

The first evening we sang songs, played games and divided into groups for team activities.  Saturday morning picnic food and snacks were prepared after breakfast and then the great trek down to the beach took place.  For the locals it wasn't really a beach day, with the wind blowing a little bit strong, but a little bit of wind wasn't going to stop any Cradocker from this first in a lifetime experience.  We first had a photo shoot at the Dolphin Statue and then it was into the waves.  It was fun to witness their excitement!

Later those who were brave enough also had the chance to go down the Super Tube Slide a few times.  After ice-cream they took another dive in the sea, before returning to the Mission House exhausted.

In the late afternoon it was time for Netball and Soccer, boys against the girls. (Needless to say that the girls won the Netball and the boys the Soccer.)  It was great fun!  Before we had pizza I taught them a new card game which also involved the grabbing of spoons :-D!!!!  After dinner we made photo frames and then we watched a movie together.

The next morning Cornelius Ngosa came to share his life story with us, which was very inspirational.  The camp was a great success!  The kids were SO co-operative and the Interns SO helpful in every way.

The next weekend, 8 November 2019, we then had our Internship Graduation.  It was a celebration of their engagement with this programme.  New things lies ahead for each one of them.  I wish them well.

Evelyn

Sophakama Internship 2019

I feel so happy about this year's Intens!

I have 5 students.  2 from the ACVV; 1 from Michausdal; 1 from Lingelihle and 1 from my church in town.  Each one of them are bringing something unique to the table, when we meet on Friday mornings. 

The lady from Michausdal work with me twice a week in Carinus Primary School, where we give more individual attention to 60 Grade 1  learners.  In this the 3rd term, out of the 60 learners, only 10 kids' progress are slower than we have hoped for, but are still in a far better place than when we started with them in February.  The rest of the kids are progressing so much and that brings us joy.  We have made a difference in these kids' lives.  I am happy for this Intern to have had the opportunity to have this exposure.  Now she understands the process of learning to read and she will be able to teach other kids as well.

The lady from Lingelihle has a real heart of compassion for the hurting girls in her community.  She has decided to study Social Work next year.  I think the Community Project Management is proving to be very beneficial to her.

One of the ACVV Interns is also looking into furthering her studies in Social Work.  She has impressed me with her commitment and deep thoughts about life.

The last 2 Interns are guys.  The second ACVV Intern is working with me at the After-school programme of the ACVV 2 afternoons a week.  He has an understanding of Higher Grade Maths, which is very useful.  He also has a heart for Children's Programmes in the community and on Saturdays you might find him holding Gwarra-dance competition in Michausdal.

The last Intern is a young man with a heart to use sport in poor communities as a tool to mentor learners in the area of Social/Emotional well-being.  He is also working towards Hockey coaching qualifications in the pursue of this dream.

In November we hope to take some of the older children we taught this year on a camp.  We look forward to this weekend with the kids at the seaside.

That will conclude this year spent together as Sophakama Internship 2019.

Evelyn

More than meets the eye!

The end of last year I was really worried about one of the girls whom I taught.  It seemed that she was bent on throwing her future away.  It was as if the hurt that she felt made her reckless.  Her guardian though, committed to provide her with a good, safe space to come to terms with her hurt.  And so, I was amazed at the girl that returned after the holidays.  Her clothes, hair and attitude all proclaimed a greater peace.  She is now even helping others with their work.  Thank you, Mamma for your wise love and care.

Last week I started assessing the kids who the Grade 1 teachers identified as those who, with a little bit of help, would be able to learn the skills needed to pass Grade 1.  It is nice to work with those who are eager to learn and loves a challenge.  Their eyes have a brightness.  Then you also get those who just lacked the stimulation, but will with a little bit of discipline get there.  The hardest to work with are those who have come to believe that they can't.  With them, every, however small, success, needs to be celebrated, magnified and poured into their soul, with a teacher's praise of the mouth and belief in the eyes.  This might take time, but what beautiful flowers will the soil so watered produce.

The good news that I received from Patensie and Jeffreys Bay is that the tutoring of last year were successful.  Parents are happy!  The tutors are therefore encouraged and passionate to continue helping more children.  I trust that this will also happen with the people I am training here in Cradock this year.