School nurse Sister Grace, writes from the Waterberg in South Africa to say that over the Christmas period she managed to distribute food parcels to those in dire need including a Mozambican man whose home was burnt down to ashes. “His neighbours were supportive and received the food on his behalf while he went for medical attention.”
An orphaned boy rescued from the streets was also given food, sent back to school and is now doing well along with his siblings.
Sister Grace Identified children in need of clothing for the Christmas season and was able to provide them with essentials provided by local supporters.
She reports that about 55 girls received donated clothes and sanitary items over Christmas. The Department of Education has been supplying disposable sanitary pads and these are distributed to learners when schools are open, but not over the long summer holidays. “The sanitary pads provided significant relief to the girls, who had been coming in on a daily basis.”
“Below are 20 food hampers generously donated by Sonja to be distributed to the community. I carefully identified 20 beneficiaries in need, and personally handed out the hampers.
“Attached are some of the photos showing the recipients.”
PROGRESS:
▪ We provided food to those who had lost hope and had no source of any income
▪ Vulnerable children are given ongoing social and material support
▪ Placement of school dropouts who are now back at school and provides with support
▪ Working with stakeholders who donate food, clothes and uniforms
▪ Giving dignity to teenage girls by providing donated pads and hygiene packs
CHALLENGES:
▪ Huge families struggle to buy enough food to last through the month
▪ Unemployment and poverty within families who survive on social grants alone,
which is not enough to sustain them
▪ Alcoholism, gambling and abuse of child & elderly social grants is a major problem
▪ Increased number of substance and drug abuse.
MANY THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS WHO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE
If you are able to support his small but effective grassroots project, even in a small way, The Waterberg Trust has a Just Giving site that can receive funds in eight different currencies.
The Waterberg Trust can receive CAF cheques and donations in other ways specified on our How to Donate page.
Our aim is to provide a school class (53 children) with an in-depth, 5 day residential environmental/conservation course at Lapalala Wilderness School. This will have far-reaching benefits for both the children learning about the value of their environment and long-term conservation protection in the Waterberg which is a Unesco World Biosphere Reserve where they live.
Local students on a course at Lapalala Wilderness School
The children of the Waterberg so need help in broadening their horizons. School Nurse, Sister Grace says, “Over the last few months, 100 school children had issues that needed private intervention, with a home visit and family involvement.” She has listed current challenges:
Learners living with step-parents can face psychological and emotional trauma.
Sexual abuse of girls. Families choose to keep silent if the offender is a family member.
Trauma after being raped or sexually abused.
Gender based violence leading to physical injuries.
Suicidal ideation due to bullying by ‘friends’ via social media platforms.
Lack of concentration in class and failing to cope after the loss of parents or loved ones.
Unsuitable home environment for studying due to noise or dysfunctional families.
Poverty affects many children especially on weekends and holidays.
Guardians misuse the social grant meant for child upkeep.
Learners drop out of school due to substance abuse, addiction or failure to cope in class.
Lack of family caregivers at home to look after the babies of teenage moms when they return to school.
Equiping pupils who have no parents with school shoes
Sister Grace explained that, after home visits and the family meetings, “I managed to refer 20 learners to different stakeholders i.e. Victim Support Unit, SASSA, along with Social Development and Department of Home Affairs for ID and birth certificate application.”
Sister Grace helping schoolgirls in South Africa
She travels from one school to another on different days of the week. “I focus on addressing complaints and issues which were raised from the beginning of the year from learners who prefer to treat personal challenges individually in the presence of their chosen trusted guardian, parent or sibling.”
Ending period poverty – Schoolgirls in the Waterberg receiving packs of washable eco-sanitary pads
This year, schools reopened on the 13th October, which is the 4th term and busy time of the year when students prepare for final exams and Matric learners attend extra classes both during the week and on weekends. Dedicated educators are working hard to ensure they support the Matric learners especailly if they have fallen behind.
Six babies were born to teenage mothers who have returned to school. Some use formula while others are express-cup feeding. Hygiene measures to prevent infection are properly explained.
School nurse Sister Grace ensuring babies born to teenage mothers get a good start in life
Good News:
The Department of Education continues to supply disposable sanitary pads for schoolgirls.
Dignity Dreams supply re-usable packs of eco-sanitary pads
BEAUTIFUL VEGETABLE GARDENS ENSURE LEARNERS HAVE EXTRA NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS ARE SPONSORED BY THE EIMS FOUNDATION WHO ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LUNCHBOX MEALS AT ALL THE SCHOOL’S FEEDING SCHEMES, WHICH IS A HUGE BENEFIT TO LEANERS
Businesses in the Waterberg have been making generous donations
A BIG THANK YOU GOES OUT TO SUSKES, in VAALWATER for DONATING 220 SCHOOL UNIFORMS for MAHLASEDI PRIMARY SCHOOL
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Matric learners attended educational camps
Enrichment classes continue during the school holidays
Sporting activities and competitions for both primary and high schools
Matric farewell functions
You can find out more about the Big Give and how they double the difference:
Support Sister Grace helping girls stay at schools in the Waterberg
Great News! TWT have been selected for the ‘Big Give’ Christmas Challenge. Any funds raised from 3rd to 10th December will be doubled! We are hoping to hit the £1,000 target in this critical week, which will then be doubled to £2,000.
To help raise the first £1,000 we have organised a fun a fun 12 mile Waterberg Winter Walk in North Norfolk on Saturday 7th December, with the option of continuing on Sunday 8th December.
The circular route begins in Langham and embraces the magnificently wild coastal marshland from Stiffkey to Cley, and the back inland to the start. Along the way we will enjoy the spectacular views of sea and marsh, good conversation and lungfuls of fresh salt air. There will be a break for coffee at Blakeney, a picnic lunch at Cley and then back for tea & cake at Langham, about 4 hours 30 minutes of easy walking, rain or shine.
Some people will stop at Blakney and others after lunch at Cley. You can walk for as long as you like.
It’s not too late to join in the fun, just let us know if you’d like to come by leaving a comment below.
In the evening you might like to join us for a delightful Christmas Concert by Candlelight in Standhoe Church. On Sunday morning all are welcome to join a different, shorter inland walk overlooking the coast.
Please come and enjoy the walk with us, supporting TWT in this wonderful way. If you cannot, please tie a knot in your handkerchief to remind you to make a donation of £50 or more via the Big Give Websiteduring this critical week 3rd-10th December .
The Waterberg Trust is a small charity doing a big job in the Waterberg, South Africa. Thank you for your support.
For the last ten years, The Waterberg Welfare Society Trust has been operating under its new and broader remit as The Waterberg Trust (TWT) supporting welfare initiatives across the Waterberg, uplifting the people.
Quarterly reports from Sister Grace and Dr Peter Farrant detail the social welfare of the less privileged of The Waterberg. They give a measure of what TWT is seeking to address and are increasingly alarming. Major concerns include increasing substance abuse, vagrancy, absenteeism from school and general poor behaviour.
School nurse Sister Grace sponsored by The Waterberg Trust
The academic performance of the local schools is deteriorating because they are underfunded and teacher vacancies are often either poorly filled or remain unfilled. However, there are encouraging factors with some teachers providing extra classes to help children catch up and prepare for their exams, along with some supporting after-school activities with sport being increasingly encouraged.
School sports for girls of the Waterberg in South Africa
TWT initiatives include conserving the environment and helping the poorest and all the young people of the Waterberg to achieve their potential by encouraging them to stay in education. This involves basic and simple initiatives.
School nurse Sister Grace equipping the new intake of schoolgirls with washable pads.
By providing re-useable washable sanitary wear from the nonprofit Dignity Dreams, TWT has again met its priority this year by enabling all the adolescent girls of the Waterberg to attend school for all of every month for the five years of their secondary education. As a result, fewer girls drop out of education because they no longer fall behind through missing school.
Sister Grace distributing packs of Dignity Dreams eco-sanitary pads in secondary schools of the Waterberg
TWT raises funds to pay the school nurse’s salary. Sister Grace provides primary care for the medical, mental and general welfare needs of the school children of the Waterberg. She manages the distribution of the Dignity Dreams packs and instructing the girls in how to use them, when she explains accompanying leaflet on puberty and sex education.
A letter from a schoolgirl thanking donors for her washable eco-sanitary pads
Through dedicated Life Skills teaching sessions, Sister Grace instructs the pupils in human reproduction and sex education with the use and availability of contraception methods.
A drama about the risks of teenage pregnancy performed by Waterberg pupils
As a direct consequence, the numbers of teenage pregnancies have reduced consistently each year. Sister Grace supports any teenage mums with baby care instruction, guidance and provides essentials when they are not available.
Monitoring a baby born to a teenage schoolgirl
In South Africa, you cannot attend school if you do not have a uniform, which is something that the poorest families in the community struggle to afford. TWT helps to provide school uniforms and shoes so that every child in the Waterberg can go to school.
Providing hard-wearing school shoes in the Waterberg
Sister Grace champions important initiatives such as four school vegetable gardens that the children cultivate. She helps the children to remain motivated and to choose subjects that will support their career choices.
Ideas for careers open to pupils of the Waterberg
She also supports the health of the weakest in the community, distributing monthly food parcels to about seven needy households with volunteers from the “Acts of Mercy” initiative of the local St John’s Church.
TWT provides scholarships for exceptional pupils to further education and not be held back by the poverty of their family circumstances. For example, Elton Chitandra is a deserving and able student from the Waterberg who is an orphan living with his aunt. TWT awarded Elton a scholarship for his university tuition fees for three years. He is now in the third year of his Computer Software degree at university.
Elton with some of his school certificates
Importantly, TWT also contributes to wildlife conservation in the Waterberg by funding vehicle recognition cameras at strategic road junctions. As a consequence, the Waterberg has lost very few rhinos to poachers in the last few years, which sadly contrasts to other areas of South Arica.
This year, TWT has made another large donation to the Save the Waterberg Rhino initiative that has changed its name to the Waterberg Landscape Alliance (WLA). The name change was made to reflect a broader conservation remit.
TWT sends school children on residential course at the Lapalala Wilderness School to learn about their precious environment and the diversity of species. Educating the young in the importance of conserving the habitat results in parents becoming more aware.
Local students on a course at Lapalala Wilderness School
While there is still work to be done in enhancing the conspicuity of the Trust in the Waterberg, it has been the lead supporter of some important projects to do with health, welfare, education and the environment.
TTP have continued to provide massive support both administratively and in consultation, which is much appreciated.
The Acts of Mercy project in the Waterberg in the Limpopo Province of South Africa helps those with social problems by providing essentials such as food, bedding, clothes and sanitary pads.
Sister Grace reports that this is making a huge impact. “The charity continues to provide monthly food parcels to those who have no employment nor source of income.”
Food parcels provided in August 202
At present the project supports 25 individuals within 7 families and is there for those in desperate need. This month she found a room for a homeless man, providing him with furniture and bedding.
School nurse Sister Grace working in the schools of the Waterberg
Families are referred to Sister Grace for assessment. She compiles information on of their home situation i.e. how many people per household, any source of income and how many individuals are receiving social grants .
SCHOOLGIRLS PROVIDED WITH SANITARY PADS AND SHOES
PROGRESS:
Children going to school benefit from the feeding scheme, which is supplied with green vegetables from school vegetable gardens set up by The Waterberg Trust with annual donations of equipment from EIS.
Donated clothes, shoes and sanitary pads are gratefully received by many girls
Some beneficiaries have temporary job opportunities
Some earn income by collecting recycyling
Social Relief Grants continue to benefit many
CHALLENGES:
Child allowances can be used for gambling and alcohol
Youth struggle with addiction to nyaope and weed. This results in neighborhood theft as they strive to satisfy their cravings
Huge families struggle to make their food budget last till end of the month
Foreign nationals live in fear of losing their jobs or businesses due to threats from the locals
Gender based violence and sexual abuse fueled by alcohol & substance abuse can lead to physical injury
Growing vegetables at four Waterberg schools for the school feeding scheme.
If you could help by making a donation, we have details on this website’s How to Donate page.
Even small amounts of money go a long way.
Very many thanks go to those who knitted such colourful baby clothes!
School nurse Sister Grace sponsored by The Waterberg Trust
ACTS OF MERCY REPORT FOR JUNE & JULY
School nurse, Sister Grace has continued to reach out to those needing social support by providing food parcels, clothes and nutritional supplements.
“Among the beneficiaries,” she tells us, “are members of St Johns Baptist Church who have a low source of income and are unemployed. I have been reaching out to chronically ill patients and render psychosocial and emotional support through counseling and by managing their mental health.”
Items for food parcels are bought from different supermarkets to get the best deals. There are currently 24 people living in 7 family groups who receive this aid. Some have just returned from hospital chronically ill or mentally ill, others are unemployed.
“I provided nutritional supplements to three beneficiaries who are now deceased. One elderly man continues to receive monthly prescribed injections for his condition.”
Sister Grace writes: A MOTHER AND HER DAUGHTER HAPPILY RECEIVED A DONATION OF A BED AND MATTRESS. THIS RELIEVED THEM FROM SLEEPING ON THE COLD FLOOR WITH A LITTLE BABY.
THE MOTHER AND DAUGHTER HAVE MENTAL ILLNESS, LIVE IN UNHEALTHY SHACK AND SLEEEP ON THE FLOOR. THE DAUGHTER HAS A LITTLE BABY AND ALL OF THEM HAVE INFECTED SKIN DISEASE.
BED AND MATTRESS PROVIDED
PACKED THEIR CLOTHES IN A PROPER LUGGAGE BAG
ASSISTED TEENAGE MUM TO TAKE HER BABY FOR IMMUNISATION AT THE CLINIC
FOOD PARCEL AND BABY CLOTHES PROVIDED
WILL CONTINUE WITH REGULAR MONITORING OF THE BABY’S WELLBEING
PROGRESS:
Job opportunities for locals in various sectors helps them earn extra income and support their families.
Other charity organizations continue to assist the identified families with food parcels.
Donated clothes and sanitary pads are benefiting teenage girls and those in need.
Social Relief Grants continue to benefit the citizens eligible to apply.
Children receiving donated clothes carefully sorted by School nurse Sister Grace and her volunteers.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Fellow church elders donated clothes, stationery and a bed
Ongoing donation of sanitary pads from guests who visit Horizon Horseback Adventures
Thanks go to The Waterberg Academy for the donation of shoes that were distributed to the local schools for the needy children:
Learners come to see the school nurse with headaches, coughs & fevers, allergies or asthma, injuries, menstrual issues or for mental health support due to anxiety, stress or depression.
“I do provide group health education and guidance per class when there’s free learning period upon arrangement with the teachers. I help learners in the junior classes with career choices and subjects which are linked to each career to enable them chose the right subjects when promoted to senior grades. Other topics are sexual reproductive health, puberty and various methods of contraceptives to girls.”
Waterberg school pupils gather for a sex and reproductive education lecture
“LEARNERS GATHERED AND ATTENTIVELY LISTENING TO SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH TOPIC“
School nurse Sister Grace discuses career choices with Grade 9 pupils of the Waterberg
Learners are encouraged to discuss:
Common forms of Gender Based Violence.
Teenage pregnancy, contraceptives, STIs and sexual abuse both in school and homes.
Importance of education and aspirations with the hard work and dedication involved.
GRADE 8s RECEIVED LEARNING TABLETS LOADED WITH DATA and TEXT BOOKS
Learners are motivated to take their studies seriously and accept discipline.
They are encouraged to take part in physical fitness to enhance mental capability.
Schoolgirls gathering for a netball tournament with other schools in the Waterberg
PROGRESS:
Grade 12s attended educational camps in the Waterberg District and were offered extra classes in a quiet and conducive environment to prepare for their final examinations.
Regular school inspections by officials from the Department of Education motivate teachers on ways of helping learners to archive better results.
Extra classes are provided for all learners after school and on weekends to help them to catch up. Teachers are willing to offer their time.
Reduction in teenage pregnancy numbers due to availability of contraceptives.
Free sanitary pads are distributed to girls on a regular basis to ensure they don’t miss classes. The Department of Education provides schools with disposable pads.
EVERY FEMALE PUPIL DESERVES FREE SANITARY PADS
CHALLENGES:
Relocating teachers affects learners who must adjust to new teaching methods and expectations.
Disruption of familiar relationships and trust.
Learners experience fatigue due to long hours spent at school.
To much work is given to learners resulting in some failing to cope or submit school work.
Withdrawal of buses transporting learners led to increased number of late arrivals or absenteeism.
School sports for girls of the Waterberg
OTHER EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNERS FROM SURROUNDING SCHOOLS:
The Waterberg Innovation Center based at Meetsetshehla Secondary School in the Waterberg District of Modimolle Mookhgopong Munucipality aims to equip learners with enrichment classes from grades 4-9 & 10-12 in subjects such as Physics, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Technical Science. The Northern Education Trust has been supporting for about two years.
Dr Farrant tells us, “The Northern Education Trust has paid for the renovation and refurbishment of what were the teachers’ quarters at Meetsetshehla School, and the WIC have provided the labour for the project. The result is an office block, where Grace also has her office.” This includes a kitchen to provide refreshments for pupils attending enrichment classes.
The Waterberg Innovation Center provides enrichment classes aimed at scholars of all Waterberg schools. The subject list includes Physical Science, Chemistry, Biological Science, Mathematics, Numeracy, Reading and literacy, Career planning and career guidance.
Th expenditure by NET has been significant, but we think that the programmes are good. They now must start being implemented. You will see a wish ( or needs list) attached to the report.
The Northern Education Trust is not directly involved in the administration or presentation of the programmes, but we are supportive of the organization.
Learners will also be engaged in a reading competition, spelling bee, career expo and career exhibition along with other activities.
WISH LIST FOR WATERBERG INNOVATION CENTER:
Mobile Lab
Science Exhibit
Branding for the center
Lab equipment such as microscopes
Transportation bus for learners
Funds to reimburse expenses incurred by volunteers
We need to reach out to farm schools in remote areas
School Nurse Sister Grace taking donations to members of the Waterberg community
The Waterberg Trust funds the salary of school nurse, Sister Grace who is based at one of the secondary schools but gets out into the community to address challenges and distribute items donated by local churches.
School Nurse Sister Grace distributing sanitary pads in Vaalwater so that girls do not miss school
She tells us, ‘I provide basic health care in form of home visits, checking up on psychosocial wellbeing of orphaned children.’
Sister Grace helped six students pay for their Matric uniforms and passed on donations to the No Drugs and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center which admitted four youths from Vaalwater willing to quit substance abuse. She continues to help at the Addiction Recovery Course at the Farmers’ Hall in the heart of the Waterberg, providing tea and light snacks.
School Nurse Sister Grace on a home visit
Sister Grace reports:
Dysfunctional families tend to neglect their own children.
Overcrowded family dwellings mean children are exposed to communicable diseases such as scabies infections. ‘One household has four people infected with TB. Two are children below the age of two, who are on treatment.’ Sister Grace carries out adherence counseling and provides the family with a food parcel financed by The Waterberg Trust.
The Social Relief Grant can be misused for alcohol leaving children without food.
However, there is progress:
School children eat meals from school feeding schemes on daily basis
There are job creation schemes for youth on local farms and lodges or keeping the town clean and maintaining roads.
Different Political parties handed out food and winter wear during the election campaign.
26 needy people currently benefit from food parcels funded by The Waterberg Trust. Some are school drop-outs or single mums with children to support.
School Nurse Sister Grace distributing hand knitted blankets to the elderly of the Waterberg
Sister Grace continues to help those lacking food, clothes, school uniform, bedding and by supporting chronically ill patients.
Many thanks to our donors who make this work possible.
If you would like to make a contribution to The Waterberg Trust their Justgiving page can accept money in eight different currencies. This and other ways of donating can be found on the Donate page of this website here.
The Waterberg Trust pay for food parcels donated to needy members of the Waterberg community by School Nurse Sister Grace
The Waterberg Trust Cycle Ride set off from Cambridge on Saturday 11th May
“It was a great success and made even more pleasurable by the gorgeous weather.”
“…England was showing off its rural best with spectacular views from the top of the beginning of the Chiltern hills to the picturesque village greens and cricket squares, particularly after lunch when we peddled through Old Warden and Ickwell Green and passed Shiplake College.”
‘Another brilliant TWT bike ride. So well planned and organised; everyone had such a good time. Hopefully we’ll have managed to raise lots of funds too.’ Jane Whitbread
Riders were provided with refreshments enroute
The riders were treated to a fabulous lunch at Southill Park
‘A wonderful day all round!’ Elaine Franklin
All levels of cyclists took part in The Waterberg Trust charity cycle ride 2024
“A very big well done to all and thank you for everyone’s help.” Barry Burles, Chairman TWT
Leader William Orme with his valiant cycle riders
To see the itinerary and map, please find an earlier post on this website here
Please think of joining The Waterberg Trust for another cycle ride in May 2025
TWT Cycle Challenge Ride 2024
Any donation you can make to The Waterberg Trust is carefully spent, greatly appreciated and a huge encouragement to our volunteers and supporters.
For anyone who hasn’t quite got around to making their donation yet, it’s easiest on the JustGiving site where +25% GiftAid is easy to add:
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.
The Waterberg Trust 