| |
| Return to homepage |
Dear Friends of Holy Family Care Centre,Once again the year has flown and we have come to that special time when we look back over the year and remember all the wonderful people who have helped us.
The year 2007 has been a very busy one at Holy Family. One of the reasons for this is that the number of children has increased greatly since last year. We now have 90 children and we have recently had to refuse about 10 children. Although Holy Family is situated on a lovely big property with plenty of space for many children, we do not have sufficient sleeping accommodation. We are stretched to capacity and we will have to build more sleeping accommodation for our present babies and toddlers as soon as possible in the New Year. We do not want to increase our numbers any further because we feel that if we do so we will not be able to give the individual love and care that is so important for each child’s development.
This year we have taken several tiny babies and this has meant that we have had to employ staff to specifically care for babies. Most of these babies were very sick or extremely malnourished and it is wonderful to see how much they have improved with medication and constant care. One little girl, aged one year, was less than 4 kg when she came to us. The doctors said that she would probably not survive. However, with hourly feeding she began to get stronger and now she is able to walk and enjoy life to the full. She is a lovely happy child, almost fat, but will have to take medication for her whole life. It is very hard to have to begin so young!
We also have several children with special needs and these children need additional care. We have 2 children with hearing problems, 1 child with a speech impediment, 4 children with limb disabilities and 1 child with cerebral palsy. We are very grateful to Letaba Hospital for providing regular sessions of psychological and bereavement counselling for children who need this help.
One important improvement that has occurred at Holy Family this year has been the building of a skills training centre. The building was donated by a benefactor, together with 8 computers. Another organisation provided 8 sewing machines. The children are very enthusiastic about learning the computer and about how to sew and we hope that this will give them skills that they will be able to put to good use in the future. One of the staff has attended a special training course in Johannesburg with an organisation that has provided us with a professionally graded computer course for all the children and they will eventually receive a certficate of proficiency.
Music has become another important extra-curricular activity at Holy Family. As everyone would know the South African people have a wonderful gift for music and our children are no exception. Even toddlers can get up and dance with extraordinary rhythm. One of the local game lodges, Makalali, gave us a set of drums and a keyboard. Two young men who are competent musicians come twice weekly to teach the children. We are discovering a lot of hidden talent among them.
Another friendship that began this year is with the staff of Daktari Wildlife Orphanage. Daktari is situated in the Hoedspruit area and cares for injured wildlife. The staff at Daktari have a programme for educating children about the environment and wildlife. Most of our older children have had the opportunity of participating in a 5 day residential programme at Daktari which they have really enjoyed.
Those of you who have visited Holy Family will find that there is a lovely new playground at the back of the kitchen. This comprises 2 sheltered areas with tables and benches and two large concrete areas for playing games. This has become a focal point for the children who are always involved in a variety of activities in the playground. The playground was built with money raised by school children from OLSH High School in Kensington, Sydney. Thank you, students of OLSH High School in Australia.
It is beautiful to see how children in different parts of the world try to help our children. One young boy from the UK personally saved his own money and bought gifts for the children in the UK when he came to visit South Africa. We also have a twining programme with a school in the UK and hope that the children will be able to communicate with one another by email when they become more computer literate. Children from a school in Holland also raised money for us with a sponsored walkathon.
Sadly four of our children have died this year but that is the reality in a project such as this. It is always very hard for everyone but children are incredibly resilient and it is a daily miracle to see how much they enjoy life despite their suffering.
We would like to thank you for the support and encouragement that you have given to Holy Family during the past year. It is deeply appreciated and your contribution is precious to us, whether it is a small or large donation, or produce from the neighbouring farms. We could not keep caring for the children without your help. You have made a difference to the lives of our children and we know that God will bless you abundantly this Christmas for your love and generosity.
We wish you a very happy and blessed Christmas and New Year.
Sr Dain Inglis & Sr Elly van Dijk
On behalf of the staff and children of Holy Family Care Centre
