Ikhaya Labantwana Montessori on the hill at Jonga Village has been teeming with activities as the year draws to a close. The last term brought moments of sadness, several training opportunities, gratitude for donations received, the graduation celebrations, eager parent involvement, visits from health professionals and moments filled with proud and confident children marvelling at their accomplishments.

Training and workshops make the plan come together

Teachers attended workshops on assessment skills, sewing activities and a sensorial workshop was presented by Peter Judd of The Montessori School Of Tokyo. A group of 30 parents enjoyed a hearty meal and a workshop on the importance of mother tongue education, school attendance and exercise.

Exercises of daily life are real when you serve a friend

Moments like these

In the classroom the children continued to develop their sewing skills and they made tiny bags, small cushions, and pom-poms. Weaving was also introduced, first paper weaving and then weaving with wool on a simple loom.

The moment exercises of daily life become real … it was a rainy day and the children removed their muddy gumboots. Lutho saw that her friend’s sock had a hole and that her big toe was peeping through. She threaded her needle, tied a knot and started darning the sock spontaneously and with confidence!

Saying goodbye to school leavers

The graduation ceremony for 18 school leavers was a true celebration of our children’s progress and independence. Each child presented a piece of Montessori material and performed a short dance that they choreographed themselves to music of their choice. Dawn Brochenin, founder of the school, was the guest speaker and she emphasised the importance of reading and storytelling for young children.

Mothers prepared gigantic pots of food for more than 200 guests and parents expressed gratitude for everything Ikhaya Labantwana is doing to improve the lives of their children.

A graduation ceremony at Ikhaya Labantwana goes beyond a graduation with gowns and children being capped.

Through the years it has become an instrument to build the Montessori community and create unity and pride. This year the challenge was to make the day child-friendly and to limit the length of the speeches and the time spent in the tent.

Thank You So much for All Your Support!!

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

We are closing the year on such an exciting note, we are so pleased to have been featured on the latest issue of the Smile Project a US based non-profit organization dedicated to spreading Happiness through acts of kindness. Featuring inspiring people and organizations who are making the world a better place. Read about the our story HERE

To our supporters both old and new thank you so much for making this year a success. Our belief in the African concept of ‘Ubuntu’ means you are as much part of the Sustainable Coffee Bay community as the people that live here are. Thanks to you, we can improve their lives through our projects we wouldn’t have done all of this without you.

To Kamvalethu Foundation – For being with us through and through, Johanne and Henrik from All in moments. – For supporting all our projects. Digital Butter – helping us grow and spread far and wide. Franzika and Basic Bananas, Bill and Liz, Ingvild Haugen, Richard Hay and Michelle Soeters for supporting our High School Scholaship Program. To Grace vision – for always answering our call when we need them to come for eye checkups. SAMA – for all the support and assistance. Childrens house and First Children – For the Montessori equipment and materials. Nalibali – For our mini library, Stichting Obonto NPO, Khanya Nathi – For making sure we getting clean water when the municipality taps go off by providing us with water filters and hippo rollers. Cheryl Blackburn of Three Trees Lodge  and the crew for books, materials and packs of porridge. Viedges Superspar – For the graduation packs that will allow our school leavers a smooth transition to big school next year,Ready Steady Go Montessori, Hatfield Montessori School Pretoria, Village Montessori School, Midrand Montessori

St Johns College, South African College of Tourism and everyone else who supported us in 2019.

OUR IMPACT IN 2019

  • 60 children provided with quality education at Ikhaya Labantwana Montessori.
  • 692 children seen by a Health Professional.
  • 5 students supported to complete High School, everyone passed to the next grade.
  • 2 students graduated from South African College of Tourism, they got Internships close to their homes thanks to Bulungula Lodge and Hole in the Wall Hotel  for providing the opportunities.
  • 22 local school children trained in Computer Programming.

WISH LIST

  • 18 sponsors for our pre-school children at Ikhaya Labantwana Montessori.
  • Colour printer for making our own pre-school materials.
  • Children’s story books for 0-3 years in English and Xhosa.

If you, or anyone you know might be able to help, please get in touch!

On a sad note Marlene Scholtz, principal of Ikhaya Labantwana Montessori for the past four years, sadly passed away at the end of October after being terminally ill. An intimate memorial service for friends, family and school parents was held at Ikhaya Labantwana. Marlene’s service to our children will not be forgotten. Our deepest sympathy goes to her husband, Tommy, her son Dewald, and daughter Sharona.
Sustainable Coffee Bay and Ikhaya Labantwana Montessori wishes all our friends, donors, children, parents, teachers and supporters a wonderful festive season and may 2020 be a happy and healthy year!.
Greetings from the Sunny Coffee Bay!!

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