High School Scholarship
‘’Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”- Nelson Mandela This year in our High School Scholarship Program we have a group of six young dynamic women.
They come from different villages around Coffee Bay, they have different personalities, dreams and aspirations. But one thing they have in common is the faith they have in education and trusting us to provide that for them.
When our six girls got to our High School Scholarship Program, they didn’t know each other but today they have formed a very strong sisterhood and are so protective of each other. The new ones rely on the older girls to help them navigate life in boarding school. We cannot wait to hear their stories when they come back for the end of first quarter.
Tertiary Support
On our tertiary program, our two girls who graduated with South African Collage of Tourism (SACT). We have partnered with Ms Kerryn of SACT to find placement for them close to their homes, they are now both on a 1 year Internship, Sisakazi is at Hole in the wall Hotel and Meisie at Bulungula Lodge.
I caught up with one of our graduates (Sisakazi) earlier this week to check how she is doing, this is what she had to say “I am enjoying my work this is something I have always been dreaming of. If it wasn’t for you guys I wouldn’t have been where I am today’’.
Sisakazi is a 26-year-old single mother, she passed her matric in 2013 but couldn’t go any further with her studies because of her family financial strains.
She was a casual cleaner for 5 years in the local cottage, she then fell in love with the tourism and hospitality industry so she decided to apply for our Tertiary program with SACT, and she worked very hard and graduated in 2019.
With the qualification she got at SACT she has better chances at getting a decent job and to change her family situation.
We have two new students who have just started their course at SACT. We will hear about how they are doing at the end of the semester.
Ikhaya Labantwana Montessori UPDATES
Note from the Principal
Maria Montessori would have shown a great delight in having observed the smooth transition of the start of the New Year, 2020 here at Ikhaya Labantwana Montessori. After spending a long 6 weeks summer holidays at home. The children began their work truly engaged, exploring each learning area with sheer joy, enthusiasm and great pleasure.
This term begun with 56 little learners with four more children phasing in by July this year. Life is full and exciting at ILM. With 13 new little ones embarking on their 3 year journey, busily exploring their new environment, and a big group of 21 big children, preparing for the last of their 3 year cycle and the reminder of the children purposefully emanating their joy of learning in this very well prepared environment.
Our four dedicated Montessori directresses, Fundiswa, Nokuthula, Noxolo and Nonzame (the true custodians of our beautiful Montessori Environment), nurture each child to their full potential on all planes of development.
Our Green Corner
Using recycled material 
Our first eco brick
We are very proud to be part of Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA) Eco –School Program. Ikhaya Labantwana Montessori has chosen RECYCLING as our 2020 enviro challenge. Our motto “REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE” is already understood and beginning to be put into practise in our environment. We are labelling our kitchen dustbins in both Xhosa and English as a start to our recycling programme. WESSA visits us every fortnight and did an introductory talk about recycling at school and at home.
Our bigger children joined the WESSA field guides and went on a nature clean-up walk through our village, collecting litter and bringing a conscious awareness to the children on how we can keep our village clean. The boundless energy of children on our couple of kilometres walk was amazing. We have also extended our recycling into making eco-bricks and this have become a part of our practical life exercises.
Our first eco brick is well underway and was manned by the children themselves and functioned as well as automated production line. There were cutters of the recycling material, fillers to feel the Litre Bottle and compressors to compress the content of the eco brick. The spontaneity, enthusiasm and excitement was a delight to observe from the two year to the six year olds being part of a cohesive team. Order and positive work ethic were the success of this project.
Daily Happenings at ILM
Our first parent’s workshop was well supported by ignited, committed parents. The interactive workshop encouraged the full participation of parents, who were split into groups and given a topic. “The importance of attending school regularly” and “What activities can be done at home to develop the child’s learning skill” to prepare, discuss and present to others parents.
Together with Siyakhula School (the neighbouring primary school) we supported “World Read Aloud Day “on the 5th of February 2020, an international drive to promote reading and literature and to reach two million children around the world. The primary school children were reading stories in English and Xhosa for our little ones, 68 children participated. Valentine’s Day came with a rainbow of colours red, pink and white. Each child was beautifully dressed for the occasion. The message of love and caring was shared. A bouquet of hand printed flowers was created for art and proudly taken home to present to mom and dad their love of their lives.
I have embarked on My New Adventure, as Head of Ikhaya Labantwana Montessori with this
incredibly cohesive, engaged group of Children who are totally absorbed by the aesthetic beauty, simplicity and order of their very specially prepared environment. What a gift it is for me, to observe this each day.
We’ve been saddened by the passing of our precious little Menzi age 3 years and 11 months, who was one of our pupils at ILM. This has been our devastation and grief; we will always cherish the memories we shared with him.
Sponsor a Child Today!
Ikhaya Labantwana Montessori relies on our wonderful sponsors and donors to continue operating. We are currently seeking new sponsors for 22 children, at just R800 (+-$50usd) per month. If that is too much, we will pair you with some other donors, so whatever you can afford, is greatly appreciated. Your sponsorship will cover:
- Two nutritious meals a day, vitamins and deworming, which combat stunting and health development issues.
- Quality Montessori education provided by local qualified teachers.
- Termly health checks by medical professionals reducing absenteeism and improving overall health.
- All learning materials in our lovely Montessori environment.
- That great feel-good factor for sponsoring a child in need.
Ikhaya Labantwana Montessori joins My School My Planet Fundraising Program
Sustainable Coffee Bay NPO has become a beneficiary of My School My Village Fundraising program. You are now able to sign up for a My School card and add Sustainable Coffee Bay as a beneficiary or if you already have a My School card you can add us as one of your beneficiaries, you may have 3 beneficiaries per card.
At no cost to you, every time you swipe at Woolworths, Engen Quick Shops, Tafelberg Furnishers, loot.co.za and Bidvest Walton’s, you will give back 1% of your purchase to Sustainable Coffee Bay. Tap on the card below to apply for your card online.
Spreading some love
It was all smiles and happy laughter at Pato Junior Secondary School and Coffee Bay Primary School when we visited and gave away pencil cases donated to us by Meyrick and Charmaine Stockigt. Nothing is too small to give to our communities, if you live here you really get to understand the meaning of little goes a long way. We are happier when we give. If you have something you have been meaning to giveaway but don’t know how, get in touch with us.
Wish List
We have compiled our Wishlist. If you, or anyone you know might be able to help, please get in touch!
- A4 Paper
- Xhosa and English story books
- A cricket set
- Basketball set
- Stationery (crayons, pencils, glue stick etc.)
- Colour Printer
- Sandpit with sandpit toys
- Second jungle gym
- A New School sign
- Portable soccer goals posts
- Rainy days toys e.g. Wooden building blocks and other indoor games.
- Hoola hoops
DONATE EASILY WITH ZAPPER
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Did you know? If you are a South African taxpayer your donation towards Sustainable Coffee Bay NPO and Ikhaya Labantwana Montessori are tax deductible, because we are a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO), we can issue a section 18A certificate. This ensures you can change people’s lives and at the same time enjoy paying less tax.