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.

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… 

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! 

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!

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?

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. 

Where your support goes?