We recently had a group of fantastic women visit Ibhabhathane from Port Elizabeth earlier this year and they just opened their hearts to the centre. They donated a fridge, tv, dvd-player, toys, educational toys and toothbrushes. These were obviously very gratefully recieved and the donations were a fantastic improvement to the centre, providing the children with new equipment to teach and entertain them.

The toothbrushes came to be particularly helpful, as Ibhabhabhathane also had visits from their local Health Department following up on the teeth brushing project. The children were explained the importance of brushing their teeth and had a lot of fun trying it out, and are now being encouraged to do this on a daily basis.

Please see the pictures page for more pictures of this!

A partnership was initiated between Riebeeck East Combined School and this project during 2009. The aim of the partnership is to help schools establish a sustainable vegetable garden using permaculture principals. From the very start the project was a success due to Headmistress Mrs Petse's dedicated management, so much so that the school won the best community garden award during Umthathi's annual event. Not only does the school boast a fabulous veggie garden, but seedlings are given to the rest of the community members to start their own gardens. A green feast for the eye, and nutritious meals for their families.

Follow this link to read about the inspiration behind the project in an interview with Yolande Delport!

http://www.insphere.co.za/philanthrosphere/item/91-one-womans-vision

Enjoy!

Recently, the centre had their first volunteer visitor  Retha Esterhuizen read an article about the Ibhabhathane Community Centre in the Insphere Magazine (www.insphere.co.za) and volunteered her help. She was invited to visit Riebeeck and it did not take very long after meeting her to know where her skills would be most applicable. As a trained engineer her insight on how to remedy a very fallen apart pre-school was very encouraging and informative. They look forward to collaborate on this project.

Babalwa Boyi has successfully completed her Early Years Training course she started during September 2009. Her endurance is commendable and we are very proud of her achievement. Our second facilitator will commence her training mid 2011

Since the Centre have relocated to their new premises in April, although temporary, the building has been rewarded with a gorgeous Eastern Cape Blue lick of paint. Their community has been wonderful in volunteering their time to make such a positive contribution.