We are back and cycling again for The Waterberg Trust on Saturday 11th May 2024. TWT continues its great work helping the people of the Waterberg, enabling all children to attend school regularly and to learn about their environment, the plants and animals, helping to improve their life opportunities and conserve their amazing ecosystem.
For this year’s ride we’ve decided again to stay local to Cambridge and offer something for everybody. The planned route takes the cycle-paths and by-ways of Cambs, Herts and Beds with an 80-mile, all tarmac, circular loop from Fen Ditton to Southill Park and back. Or a 45-mile option to end at Southill for lunch. All bike types are encouraged: electric, town, hybrid or road bike, whatever you have. We expect to be about fifty riders.
We all meet 8am at the Orme’s Fen Ditton, very close to Cambridge North for those coming by train.
Southill Park, near Biggleswade
After greetings with tea/coffee/croissant/pumps we head south down the cycleways though Cambridge, the Shelfords and up to the rolling hills, villages and back lanes of North Herts for our mid-morning stop. Refreshed we head west and descend to Ashwell before reaching Southill Park for some Whitbread family hospitality for lunch at their beautiful home. This is where the 45-mile route ends, 4 miles from Biggleswade station.
For the keener cyclist, we head North, skirt Sandy through Gamlingay and west for a tea stop at Wimpole Hall. From there we rejoin last year’s route at Barrington and via Grantchester take the cycle lanes of historic Cambridge along the river Cam to finish back in Fen Ditton for the riders and supporters after party chez Orme. 🥂🎈🥳
Please let us know if you’d like to join in, commit to the date and start training. And why not persuade your family and friends to come too, or organize a team? We’re hoping to better 2023’s amazing fund-raising total of over £10,000, so the more the merrier. Everyone should raise or donate at least £100 (£50 for the young). For those on the 45-mile trip we can help with returning you and your bike back to Fen Ditton.
An Addiction Recovery Course takes place in Vaalwater every Thursday. Held at the Farmers Hall, it will last for 15 weeks. Nursing Sister Grace, who prepares sandwiches and snacks for the beneficiaries, reported that it is going well.
Addiction Recovery Course currently being held in the Waterberg, South Africa
Sister Grace continues to supply food parcels and donated clothes to the needy in the Waterberg in South Africa. “I use different supermarkets to get fair deals on essential products and food stuffs.” Those meeting the criteria for support from the Social Development were referred to access the required intervention.
Food purchased this month for donating to those in need
The Waterberg Trust would like to thank all those who donated money to buy food parcels back in the year 2020. Those funds are still being used to buy essential supplies. Many families have been impacted. Local people and guests who visit lodges continue to donate various items for school children and the community, which is hugely appreciated.
Food parcels are collected by beneficiaries or their relatives
The Waterberg Trust accepts donations in eight different currencies on Justgiving.com and in more traditional ways as detailed on our How to Donate page on this website.
Kind donations of clothes and sanitary produced being distributed by Sister Grace in Vaalwater.
Sister Grace is sponsored by The Waterberg Trust, a UK Registered Charity that is able to accept donations in eight different currencies via Justgiving and benefit from the UK Gift Aid scheme.
Sister Grace working in the Waterberg
An experienced nursing sister, Grace continues to reach out to those who need support such as the elderly and the orphaned by carefully distributing food parcels, clothes, school uniform and medication much of which is provided by members of Church of St John the Baptist at 24 Rivers via their incredible Acts of Mercy project.
Community members come to Sister Grace with various problems
As the South African elections get closer, many political parties are helping community members with food parcels, temporary employment and learnerships in different sectors i.e. schools, creches, local clinic, road maintenance and municipal offices.
Items of clothing donated by Church of St John the Baptist being distributed to those in need.
The Social Relief Grant has been extended and grants such old age pensions, child support and disability allowances have been increased but some people fail to qualify or need specific help such as an elderly man who is losing his eyesight.
Homebased nursing in the Waterberg
There is a real need for home based care in the community.
“I have continued to shop from different supermarkets for essential supplies. Food parcels for beneficiaries living on the farms are collected by those closer to them or sent through lodge drivers.”
Food parcels purchased for those in need in the Waterberg
If you would like to contribute to Sister Grace’s office expenses, or make a donation towards specific items such as sanitary pads for schoolgirls or school shoes, The Waterberg Trust has a Justgiving page here. Other ways of giving are detailed on the Donate page on this website.
Small amounts of money go a long way. These hard-wearing school shoes cost £6.25.
Providing school shoes in the Waterberg
Fourteen known beneficiaries, some of whom fall through the net of Social Services, receive food parcels and home based care, but many people in the Waterberg community have been benefiting and are truly grateful. Please give what you can.
Items of school uniform distributed carefully
Thank you for your gifts, kind donations and voluntary work
ACTS OF MERCY HAVE MADE A HUGE IMPACT IN LESEDING TOWNSHIP PROVIDING ONGOING SUPPORT FOR MANY FAMILIES
Acts of Mercy – helping the needy in the Waterberg
The addiction counsellor Chris West-Russell speaking about the sleeping tiger of drug and alcohol abuse
The Waterberg Trust partners with St John’s Church and the Tshepo Trust to help the needy in the Waterberg, providing homebased care, food parcels and talks on addiction.
ST JOHN’S ACTS OF MERCY REPORT FOR JANUARY 2024
Sister Grace continues to distribute food parcels and clothes. ”As we began the new year I managed to buy school items for needy children. The food parcels are bought from different supermarkets to get lower prices.”
The 24 beneficaries include an elderly widow from Mozambique with no source of income, a chronically ill single Mum, a victim of sexual abuse, a teenage mum without support and other child-headed families.
Acts of Mercy has made a huge impact on many families in Vaalwater community by providing food parcels, clothes and sanitary pads for girls.
Local organizations such as the Tshepo Trust and Noko Transformation Forum are being well supported.
Some beneficiaries find jobs, others continue to receive Government Social Relief grants.
Grants for child support and the elderly were increased.
Opportunities for the youth to gain skills in gardening, poultry rearing and security work while receiving a monthly stipend are available.
School items purchased and distributed this month
CHALLENGES:
Increase in food prices
Improper spending of social grants on alcohol and gambling
Overcrowding due to migration leading to poor living conditions and sanitation
Unemployed youth get involved in substance and alcohol abuse, community theft and gender-based violence. Community members feel unsafe walking in certain areas for fear of being attacked or robbed.
Increase in the number of teenage pregnancy despite information about reproduction & health, preventative measures and access to contraceptives.
Sister Grace compiled a power point presentation to summarize work achieved with Acts of Mercy from MAY 2020 – Dec 2023. The presentation also published on this website, specifies the number of food parcels distributed, including clothes and reusable sanitary pads. “Many families benefited from the donations.”
A family benefitting from donations
TSHEPO HBC REPORT JANUARY 2024
Tshepo Homebased Care continues daily routine work in the community.
“We checkup on patients, provide adherence support, collect patient medication from the clinic and identify new patients for admission. All the patients on our program have chronic conditions and are assisted according to their needs i.e. wound dressing, passive exercises, bathing and weekly pill box packing. Some patients are stable and take medication while others need proper adherence counseling and regular home visits to ensure they are well informed about the importance of adherence.”
The number of patients on the program stands at 22. “There has been a great improvement in mobility after our caregivers intervened.”
PROGRESS:
Tshepo Homebased Care is recognized in the community and by the local Government clinic who refer patients and help with basic dressing materials, specimen bottles for sputum collection and TB screening tools.
Chronic medication is collected on behalf of elderly patients who can not walk to the clinic.
A speaker from the Western Cape addressed the increased number of young addicts in our community and provided caregivers with training on addiction and recovery, along with stakeholders from Noko Transformation & Anti-corruption Forum and local schools.
Tshepo Trust assisted the Noko Forum with a letter to enable them to fundraise for their organization and ask local business owners for financial donations or food stuffs.
The addiction counsellor Chris West-Russell speaking about the dangers of drug abuse
CHALLENGES:
Very sick patients, including those who need surgery or specialist intervention, wait a long time before they can be transferred to the provincial hospital. Appointments are extended to further dates, making it difficult for families to cope with caring for their loved ones.
Increase in youth-related deaths due to substance abuse, drugs and alcohol, defaulting on chronic medication
Poor family support and abandonment of sick or elderly patients left alone at home.
Tshepo Trust is short of homebased care kits, stationery, and cleaning products.
Dressing wounds
FUTURE PLANS:
To continue providing required homebased care services
To bring in those who need day care services and close monitoring
To intensify patient screening for TB and reach out in other areas
To continue liaising with stakeholders to ensure we provide the necessary services for patients and their families
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Many thanks to St John the Baptist Church at 24 Rivers who support Tshepo Trust through their Acts of Mercy initiative, providing food for patients, clothes and assistance in the office.
The addiction counsellor Chris West-Russell speaking to school children in the Waterberg
Sister Grace distributing packs of Dignity Dreams eco-sanitary pads in secondary schools of the Waterberg, in the Limpopo Province South Africa
School nurse Sister Grace reports “The last quarter of the year was quite hectic for learners and teachers as they had to prepare for their final exams. Grade 12’s went to educational camps and other grades were assessed before promoting them to the next grade. Teachers attended various workshops about examination invigilating, moderating of learner files and team building.“
Sister Grace also got involved in providing learners with pre-examination counseling to ensure they felt less anxious during exams. “Those who performed well progressed to the next grade.”
SCHOOL REPORT FROM NOVEMBER 2023- JANUARY 2024
The Matric results for the Vaalwater Circuit released on 19th January 2024 were lower than the previous year:
Leseding High School – 84.3%
Meetsetshehla High School – 57.8%
Mohlakamotala High School – 77.3%
Moshia High School – 17.5%
Waterberg pupils who did well in their 2023 Matriculation exams winning prizes and awards
HOWEVER, THERE WAS PROGRESS:
All schools managed to write their final exams without interruptions
Educational camps helped some learners to catch up
Average Matric learners will have access to financial support to start their dream careers, enabling them to gain skills at vocational institutions
Buses continue to transport learners to school free of charge
Sister Grace continues to distribute donated sanitary pads to girls, clothes to disadvantaged learners and the elderly in the community
ON-GOING CHALLENGES:
Lack of learning resources in some schools
Under performed results for matriculants in 2023
Leaners affected by the relocation of teachers to other schools
Poverty and lack of parental support
Teenage pregnancy and substance abuse
Learners repeating the same classes
STATISTICS:
TOTAL NUMBER OF LEARNERS SEEN INDIVIDUALLY BY THE SCHOOL NURSE FROM NOVEMBER TO JANUARY: 145
SOCIAL PROBLEMS – 55
MEDICAL ISSUES – 25
MINOR COMPLAINTS – 30
PREGNANT – 5
REFERRED FOR CONTRACEPTIVES – 30
Sister Grace donating nappies for a baby born to a teenager mother
Sister Grace conducted home visits to address various issues faced by learners by involving their parents and guardians and to check the wellbeing of new born babies and their moms. “My involvement in schools has yielded a strong and positive impact among learners, teachers and the community.“
However, we look back on 2023with gratitude:
Keeping girls in school: As the year opened, TWT was able to give every girl entering secondary school a pack of washable eco-sanitary pads that should last them until they leave school and help them to avoid missing lessons.
A letter from a schoolgirl thanking donors for her washable eco-sanitary pads
Keeping four school vegetable gardens: Amazing supplies were delivered to the Waterberg by Andrew Smith of Environmental Impact Services who also sponsored the school vegetable gardens with seedlings, compost, shade netting and tools. This was a huge encouragement to pupils and staff.
Kind donations from TWT sponsors EIMS
The Environmental Club, supervised by Sister Grace, grows food for school feeding schemes.
A TWT School Vegetable Garden sponsored by EIMS
Save the Waterberg Rhino has been supported by funds donated in the UK
Sponsoring a promising student Elton Chitanda, enabling him to take a degree in computer studies at Eduvos University in Gauteng – read more on this website here.
Elton with his recent certificates
School nurse, Sister Grace continued her duties, checking newborn babies and helping the mothers with advice and practical aid.
Sister Grace monitoring the wellbeing of a newborn baby
Pupils Health Education has continued with talks for school children
Learners attending the TB Awareness Campaign in the Waterberg
Sister Grace has also been helping the homeless, including vagrants in need of psychiatric help, and families who lost their homes to fire.
200 TWT Food parcels have been distributed to needy families with beneficiaries sending relatives to collect their groceries put together by volunteers.
In partnership with St John’s Church ‘Acts of Mercy’ initiative, Sister Grace has distributed items of clothing and household essentials donated locally.
Clothes being donated to grandmothers in the Waterberg
Donated items benefit the elderly, teenage mothers and neglected children
The Knitting Club in Vaalwater have provided endless homemade woolens and blankets.
Warm baby clothes donated to teenage mothers in school
The charity fundraising event of the year was the Cambridge and Bedfordshire sponsored bike ride held in May. Another is planned for the second week of Saturday 11th May 2024. Please let us know in the comments below if you are interested in joining us.
A great team of cyclists gathered on Saturday 15th May to raise funds for The Waterberg Trust
TWT are planning a bike ride in the Waterberg from 1st to 8th February 2025 that will enable donors to visit the projects.
On 20th April 2024 – one of the South Africa trustees is running the 25 kilometer Oxpecker Ultra Run near Spioenkop in the northern Drakensberg.
You can support this valuable work by donating on Justgiving here and we detail other ways of donating on The Waterberg Trust website here.
The Waterberg Trust is governed by a team of trustees in the UK who meet four times a year and raise funds to finance the projects in the Waterberg.
ROUTINE TASKS AND INTERVENTIONS – REACHING OUT TO THE NEEDY THROUGH:
HOME VISITS TO IDENTIFY THOSE IN NEED
PRE NATAL AND POST NATAL VISITS
FOOD PARCEL DISTRIBUTION
DONATING CLOTHES, BEDDING AND SANITARY PADS
A family receiving donations
TREATMENT SUPPORT AND HEALTH EDUCATION FOR FAMILIES AND THE ELDERLY
TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS
WE MANAGED TO HELP A SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL MAN TO GET MEDICAL HELP AND TREATMENT. AT FIRST, HE WAS UNAPPROACHABLE AND SPENT MOST OF HIS TIME BESIDE THE ROAD WITHOUT EATING. HE’S NOW STABLE, ON TREATMENT AND BACK AT WORK
Donations of clothes support those in need in the Waterberg, South Africa
SUPPORTING LEARNERS – IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR SCHOOL LIFE – BY ADDRESSING:
SOCIAL PROBLEMS
LEARNING PROBLEMS
TEENAGE PREGNANCY
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
COUNSELING
NUTRITION – WITH A SHOOL MEALS SCHEME
SCHOOL VEGETABLE GARDENS & RECYCLING PROJECT
Kind donations from TWT sponsors EIMS
CHALLENGES
POVERTY
ORPHANED CHILDREN
DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES
INCREASED TEENAGE PREGNANCIES
SUBSTANCE & ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONGST THE YOUTH
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE RESULTING IN PHYSICAL INJURY
Clothes being donated to grandmothers in the Waterberg
PROGRESS:
HELP FOR THE VULNERABLE
HEALTH EDUCATION IN THE COMMUNITY
INCREASED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTIVES FOR TEENAGE GIRLS
SCHOOL GIRLS HAVE ACCESS TO FREE ECO-SANITARY PADS
SPONSORSHIP FOR ORPHANS AND OUTSTANDING SCHOLARS
INVOLVING AN INCREASED NUMBER OF STAKEHOLDERS IN THE COMMUNITY
Sister Grace distributing packs of Dignity Dreams eco-sanitary pads in secondary schools of the Waterberg
Sister Grace with 2023 Matric students in new uniforms
School nurse Sister Grace working with Waterberg school in South Africa
School nurse Sister Grace has been helping pupils of the Waterberg with learning problems by addressing social issues. “These include poverty, family crises, abuse, sexual abuse leading to unwanted pregnancy, gender-based violence, menstrual issues, and undisciplined learners attitude to fellow school mates and teachers.”
She reports, “My presence in surrounding schools has eased the pressure of teachers being disturbed during class. I have created a solid relationship with students who are free to come to me whenever they need help. Serious matters are referred to relevant stakeholders.” If she has a problem with students coming to school under the influence of drugs and alcohol or sees knives being brought to school, the Victim Support Unit at the local police station are notified.
“I have seen positive changes after facilitating health and safety,” Sister Grace says.
Thanks go to TWT donors who finance this sterling work. If you would like to make a donation, we have a Justigivng site and list other ways of getting involved on this website here.
Grade10 learners from the Waterberg district participated in a Public Speaking Competition held at Lapalala Wilderness School on 23rd September 2023. Students spoke on the impact, challenges and possible solutions to end rhino poaching in South Africa.
Junior students in grade 8 & 9 received IT tablets and data, enabling them to access the internet gain access to online studies.
The Matric students had their trial exams in preparation for their finals.
Learners continue to take extra classes and catch up on their schoolwork.
School clubs are doing well such as the Spelling Bee and the School Initiative Educational Club, which aims to address issues faced by learners and suggest possible solutions.
Waterberg pupils performing a drama about becoming a teenage mother
CHALLENGES:
Inadequate resources in Government schools such as poor sanitation and rundown classrooms with broken windows, cracked floors and loose doors.
Relocation of teachers to other schools.
Poor communication between parents, stakeholders and school management.
Teenage pregnancy remains a huge problem with teenage mums returning to school a week after delivery, against school policy.
A drama about the risks of teenage pregnancy performed by Waterberg pupils
Masifunde Learner Development, an organization partnered with the Department of Education, implements programs for school safety to deal with social issues arising in schools.
The Vaalwater based facilitator for Masifunde Learner Development
Each school chose five learners as representatives and game changers who were trained and are able to share with fellow students about findings within their social environment.
LEARNERS DISCUSSING BULLYING IN SCHOOLS, QUALITY OF EDUCATION AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE IMPLEMENTED FOR THEIR FUTURE CAREERS
All learners attend classes on life orientation topics such as nutrition, careers, physical education and the environment.
TOTAL LEARNERS WHO CONSULTED INDIVIDUALLY = 136
Pregnant – 9(3 Meetsetshehla & 5 Leseding High School, 1 from Mokolo primary)
Referred for contraceptives – 37 (accessed different methods of birth control)
Can you imagine what it is like to be in your final term at school when you have no parents to support you?
Sister Grace with 2023 Matric students in new uniforms
Nursing Sister Grace has been encouraging pupils preparing for their final exams by providing them with new Matrix polo shirts.
The Waterberg Trust finds sponsorship for Sister Grace to be employed as a school nurse and equips all schoolgirls in the area with washable eco-sanitary pads so they do not miss lessons.
“I attend to various problems in the community ranging from gender-based violence and child neglect to youth who are abusing drugs but are willing to quit.” She is helping a fourteen year-old schoolgirl who fell pregnant after being raped and traumatised.
If you would like to support this amazing work, The Waterberg Trust can receive donations in a number of different ways specified on this website here and via Justgiving. You can specify how you would like your money to be spent.
Thanks to kind donors in the UK, The Waterberg Trust still funds the purchase of basic food parcels for twenty-five individuals in the area. Between March 2020 and March 2023, Sister Grace distributed a total of 644 food parcels to desperate families. Many people afflicted by hunger have been fed.
Food parcels donated by TWT supporters to help needy families in the Waterberg
CHALLENGES:
Increased food prices
Dysfunctional families neglect their children and fail to enroll them at school which results in substance abuse and theft with kids roaming the streets.
Some foreigners are turned away from the local clinic without being given treatment.
Sister Grace reaches out to those in need in the Waterberg by supporting the chronically ill and collecting medication for those at risk of defaulting on their HIV/AIDS and TB treatment.
PROGRESS:
Children continue to receive balanced meals at school.
Social Relief Grants to help sustain needy South African families.
Social clubs loan money to small businesses.
Youth-friendly activities are available such as netball, drama and choir festivals.
Shambala Private Game reserve assists the community with food and shelter.
The Vaalwater Knitting Club continue to knit blankets for the elderly and for teenage moms.
Many thanks to local donors for ongoing support, clothes, sanitary pads and stationery for the less privileged in schools and creches.
Donations of clothes support those in need in the Waterberg, South Africa
Sister Grace (centre) distributing warm clothes to those in need in the Waterberg, South Africa
Two families lost their houses and the contents to fire recently, leaving them homeless. The Dept of Social Development managed to provide them with temporary shelter and blankets, but they had no food parcels at their offices. Among the family members were school children who lost their school uniforms and stationery.
Nursing Sister Grace says: “I managed to buy and distribute food parcels. It was not easy as the local supermarket could only allow me to buy three of each item due to lack of stock.”
If you are able to help these families, The Waterberg Trust accepts donations on Justgiving. Details of how to help in other ways can be found on this website here.
Those who received gifts of clothing and sanitary products
A student who lost her school uniform in the fire receiving donated clothes
Sister Grace continues to reach out to those in need in the Waterberg District of South Africa, offering treatment support and health education despite challenges:
High cost of living affecting poor families
Poor sanitation and no water in informal settlements
Increase in teenage pregnancy
Dysfunctional families spending money on alcohol, gambling and drugs
Community theft involving the youth
Food parcels unavailable at the Department of Social Development
Food parcels purchased for needy people with funds raised by TWT
PROGRESS:
Short term and permanent employment has been available in the local community
Youth are involved in entertainments that keep them occupied during weekends and showcase their talents i.e. choir festivals, soccer & netball, cycling and drama
The Social Relief Grant continues to benefit many
Sister Grace purchasing food to donate to the needy
KNITTING CLUB:
The knitting club continues to knit blankets and beanies which are donated to children in the community so they can keep warm this winter.
Sister Grace continues to identify those in need in the Waterberg, and writes to say:
“Thank you for the ongoing support towards the Acts of Mercy project, which has made a huge impact to less privileged families in Vaalwater community.”
The needy are able to receive food parcels financed by The Waterberg Trust.
Vulnerable families receiveitems donated by St Johns Church and others.
Children continue to enjoy meals provided by school feeding schemes.
Schoolgirls no longer miss lessons as they receive free sanitary pads.
The youth participate in sporting activities, which keep them off the streets
Youth get free computer lessons and gain skills in poultry farming, agriculture.
Locals have gained short-term and permanent jobs on surrounding farms, at lodges and with the local municipality.
A TWT food parcel will keep a family going through hard times.
There are challenges:
Prices have increased dramatically.
Irresponsible people spend money on alcohol and gambling instead of food.
Orphaned children’s grant money can be abused by caregivers. Such issues are handled by social workers.
Community theft has increased in our township. Those involved are youth under substance abuse, school dropouts and the unemployed.
Damaged roads with potholes.
Sister Grace assisted a homeless young man who was sleeping on a dump without a blanket or proper clothing. “I noticed he had mental illness. He had arrived in Vaalwater from KZN by foot.”
“I went with him to the supermarket to buy food.” He was offered a vacant room, bathed and provided with clean clothes. Well-wishers donated a foam mattress for him to sleep on. “I bought him a blanket and took him to the local government clinic to seek medical help but he was not assisted due to not having a mental illness history and not having a passport.” After spending a month in Vaalwater, a cousin managed to buy him a bus ticket and he was successfully put on bus heading for Mozambique where he was welcomed home.
Arriving safely in Mozambique
Winter nights have been very cold in the Waterberg this year and children often lack warm clothing.
Donated clothes have been distributed to those in need
Toys were donated to a creche and drawing pencils to a Grade 11 student passionate about art
Art materials were donated to this aspiring artist.
THE KNITTING CLUB has been active
“We knitted blankets and beanies which were donated to the needy during winter season.”
Thank you for the ongoing support, which has made a huge impact in the Vaalwater community. The sanitary pads benefit many girls who are now able to attend classes.
The Waterberg Trust 