As 2017 is racing to a close, we reflect ...
As 2017 is racing to a close, we reflect ...
Ordinary people building an
extraordinary pre-primary school
in a challenged community in Hout Bay harbour, near Cape Town.
Dear Hangberg Pre-Primary School Friend,
As 2017 is racing to a close, we reflect upon the challenges, the victories and the support that our first full school year in our beautiful new building has brought.
January 2016: Breaking ground
January 2016
Breaking ground
Johan Fick, his team and the Pole Yard
April 2017
Johan Fick and his team
January 2017: The official opening!
January 2017
The official opening!

Challenges. Victories. Support. 

Challenges. The monthly financial shortfall albeit that we turn every cent. The challenging process to register for school subsidies. The staff turnover due to our inability to offer better salaries. The sad and unexpected passing of our beloved contractor, Johan Fick. The riots with tear gas and fire torches causing severe stress for our already stressed children. The robbery of the wood panels in our new garden a few days before our first official harvest celebration. The upsetting cases of child abuse we learn of and need to report… 
Our future. A luscious garden with a view. Lets read...
Victories. We have taught and grown to love 107 beautiful, young children and we have employed and empowered 14 local people. We have received unbelievable support from Rotary Clubs in Germany and Rotary Am Kap Sea Point and even the German Consul for the upliftment of the school via improved fencing, carpentry, paving and a new under cover eating area. We were donated a fruitful grey-watered therapeutic veggie garden by The Real Thing and Urban Harvest: apart from its delicious organic veggies, the garden offfers each child 15 minutes a week of gardening with an Urban Harvest volunteer. We have dedicated Wordworks volunteers that spend invaluable time every week to help our children become proficient readers. We have developed teaching staff who can now find further employment opportunities elsewhere which makes us a proud teaching incubator. We received our full Fire Certification just as the school year was ending… and so much more! 
Look at me! Duplo time is the best! I have a plane to fly...
Support. There has been so much incredible support over the year, one cannot mention it in a short newsletter. So please accept our resounding thank you to every single person, institution and company that helped us through this first challenging year: in a financial- or advisory capacity or by volunteering your time. We also recognise and honour our Principal (Tania Gray), our curriculum Head (June Arn) and our staff without who nothing would have been possible. Our team worked relentlessly, selflessly and continuously to ensure that the school becomes and stays the beacon of hope it is now. “Teacher” Tania drove through riots, she called on whoever whenever it was needed, she listened and actioned 24/7 for the whole year; just for the “our children”. Her words to me whilst going through riots and me crossing my heart: “If we don’t do this, nothing will ever change”. And the calls from the rioters: “Hey guys, its teacher Tania, let her through.” Teacher Tania, you and your team truly live the change you want. You guys rock! Thank YOU!
Hombi, our prolific chef...
Hombi, our chef and "her" kitchen
June Arn showing her various skills
June Arn showing her various skills...
Teacher Tania and co
Wow time with Teacher Tania

2018 awaits...

On Monday 8 January 2018, after a well-deserved, revitalising Christmas break with family and friends, it will all start again. The 2018 budget shows a net running costs shortfall of just over R400 000 for 2018. To meet this shortfall the “Support-a-child” initiative at R4 000 per child aims to “support” 100 children. Once government subsidies are received the school should be financially sustainable but none are expected before 2019. 
Want to support us in 2018?
For “Support-a-child”, EFT your R4 000 (or 10 x R400 pm) to ABSA, Hangberg Educational Trust,  Branch 632 005, Savings account 927 428 6990Reference “Child” + YOUR SURNAME and email us the notification at hangbergeducationaltrust@gmail.com

You can truly give with confidence as Hangberg Educational Trust (HET) is a registered Non Profit (NPO 118-017) and Public Benefit Organisation (930040922). HET and Hangberg Pre-Primary School NPC are both independently audited each year. Donations to HET qualify for tax relief in South Africa and socio-economic development points on the B-BBEE scorecard.
Even if you have not much cash to spare, there are other ways to support our work:
1. Become a Wordworks Volunteer. This intensive Early Literacy Programme supports 150 Grade R learners through a team of volunteers and consists of weekly sessions (30 minutes each) with max two children per volunteer. Commitment is two hours per week on a Wednesday or Thursday morning.
2. Do some fun fundraising: run a marathon, host a dinner... and just link it to our GivenGain cause: https://www.givengain.com/cc/supportachild/
3. Adopt-a-Project. Some examples are special learning materials, a classroom- or playground make-over project such as a new mini-soccer field, support a teacher’s bursary scheme for tertiary training and more! Contact us and we take it from there. 
My friend Work time That is good!
Where your support goes?
Afrique, mon coeur bat.
Hangberg Pre-Primary School NPC (funded by HET) has four classes with more than 100 children aged four to six years. The school employs 14 staff members from the local community.  The monthly fee of only R500 pm includes quality teaching and care from 7:30 until 14:30 as well as two cooked meals (Friday school closes at 12:00). Aftercare until 18:00 is available at an additional R100 pm. The fee pay-rate is good but there are still some who really cannot afford fees. The government subsidies registration process is tedious and we do not expect to receive any before calendar year 2019.
Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference.
-        R150 pays for a learner’s stationary for a year.
-        R1 000 pays for learner’s cooked meals for a year.
-        R2 000 pays a student class assistant’s stipend for a month.
-        R10 000 will fund a learner for a year, transforming a young child’s life.
-        R20 000 supports a tertiary education bursary for a teacher for a year. 
2017 HET Video
2017 HET Fun Team
2017 HET Volunteer team from L to R:
Nicolette Rotter, Nadine Tedder, Tania Gray, Glynis Bell, Karen Temlett, Debbie Soll and Marquerithe Schreuder

With love and blessings for the December holidays and an exciting 2018 year,
Marquerithe Schreuder on behalf of the HET Trustees, HPP School Directors and the 2017 HET volunteer team xx

Pictures: Courtesy of Sherri Ekermans.

hangbergeducationaltrust@gmail.com

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