Category Archives: Nonprofit

School nurse Sister Grace reports from the Waterberg in South Africa

June 10, 2024Africa, Education, Ending period poverty, Limpopo Province, Nonprofit, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized, Vaalwater, Waterberg, YouthA school nurse transforming the lives of children in South Africa, Africa, Education, Limpopo Province, news, South Africa, WaterbergSophie Neville

School nurse Sister Grace looking at new equipment in the Waterberg Innovation Centre

SCHOOL REPORT FROM APRIL – JUNE 2024

Dr Peter Farrant of the Northern Education Trust says, “The work is running well and the service provides a lifeline for many children.”

Sister Grace’s day extends from 08:00-16:00hrs from Monday to Friday. Her office and reporting centre is at Meetshetshela Secondary School just outside Vaalwater in the centre of the Waterberg. She visits other schools once a week. These include Leseding Secondary School, Mokolo Primary School and Mahlasedi Primary School, with occasional trips to Motlakamothala High School 25km out of Vaalwater.

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 education lecture — 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 8’S RECEIVED THEIR LEARNING TABLETS LOADED WITH DATA TO BROWSE SCHOOL WORK AND DOWNLOAD TEXT BOOKS TO READ — 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 in the Waterberg — 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 GIRL LEARNER DESERVES FREE SANITARY 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

If you would like to consider supporting this amazing work, please take a look at the Donate page on this website where you can see how even small donations go a long way in South Africa.

Schools will be closed for winter holidays but Grade 12, s will continue to attend classes.

School Nurse Sister Grace administering community health and welfare in the Waterberg, South Africa

June 4, 2024Africa, Charity, Community projects, Ending period poverty, Healthcare, HIV awareness, HIV prevention, Limpopo Province, Nonprofit, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized, Vaalwater, Waterberg, YouthSmall but effective grass-roots project helping rural people in the WaterbergSophie Neville

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 so that girls do not miss school — 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

Thanks to all who supported The Waterberg Trust Cycle Challenge 2024

May 13, 2024Charity fundraising event, Community projects, Nonprofit, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorizedbicycle, bike, bikes, biking, charity cycle ride, Charity fundraising, charity fundraising bike ride, Charity fundraising event, Cycle challenge Cambridgeshire Hertfordshire Befdfordshire, cycling, Long distance riding, Travel, Waterberg Charity RideSophie Neville

A massive thank you to all who have donated to The Waterberg Trust so generously this year. It really is most appreciated. The Waterberg a small part of Africa where we really can make a big difference.

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:

https://www.justgiving.com/waterbergtrust/donate

It was a beautiful May morning when around 60 riders gathered in Fen Ditton to take part in this year’s amazing 80-mile TWT charity cycle ride around Cambs, Herts and Beds. Riders made a sterling effort to overcome the dreaded Rail Replacement Bus service by staying locally or joining us from Royston.

After greetings and reunions of TWT ride old-timers over coffee and pastries, the cyclists set of in their groups heading south along the cycle ways of Cambridge, past Addenbrokes’ biomedical campus and out through the Shelfords in the cool of the early morning. Turning west at Duxford, we wound our way up the hills (yes there are some!) of South Cambridgeshire, past Chrishall and Chishill.

Barry acting as sweeper, collecting TWT ride signs, lost his group who had taken a scenic detour via Newton and Thriplow. But all was well as teams arrived for the now world-renown Franklin’s hand-made scotch eggs and flapjacks, heartily consumed with much needed drinks at Reed village hall.

From here we crossed the rolling North Hertfordshire countryside, with spectacular views dotted with chromium yellow rape fields, before heading north where all made it safely back over the A505 to Ashwell. Here we overlapped with a seemingly never ending stream of classic MG cars on a rally as we wound our way through the more pastoral Bedfordshire with a notable uptick in village greens hosting cricket matches, an idyllic English summer’s day!

And indeed the temperature was rising fast, it was baking by the time we made it to our amazing lunch stop and the welcoming hospitality of the Whitbread’s at Southill Park and much needed drinks and sustenance.

Boerewors in rolls with sautéed onions and Mrs Balls chutney gave a very Waterberg, South African touch to a delicious lunch with quiches, salads and lemon drizzle cake from Elaine Franklin.

Such was the enthusiasm of the riders that all but about a dozen decided to continue on the full 80-mile course. We had such an incredible range of cyclist from first comers, who had never cycled more than a couple of miles, to those using the day as a training for upcoming 300km rides. The way home was shorter but somehow didn’t feel it and a rest and tea & cake was enjoyed by many at Wimpole Hall NT cafe.

Coming back in to Cambridge along Grantchester meadows was somewhat tricky for us as half of Cambridge had decided that it was a beautiful warm sunny evening for a stroll! Many of the faster cyclists decided this would be a good time to stop for a beer, and bit by bit everyone made it back home, most to Fen Ditton where, after hot showers and cold beers, vast quantities of rice and chilli-con-carne and bean chilli were consumed to restore tired bodies: a perfect end to a very enjoyable day. Thanks also to Charles and John for great support. Thankfully, and surprisingly for so many riders, they were never called on!

For all those that sadly couldn’t make it this year, there’s always 2025!

Please do save the date: 10th May 2025, the Saturday after the May Day Bank Holiday.

All funds raised go direct to The Waterberg Trust who detail various ways you can make a donation on their website here.

TWT Cambs-Herts-Beds Cycle Ride 2024

April 13, 2024Charity fundraising event, Ending period poverty, Limpopo Province, Nonprofit, The Waterberg Trust, Trustees, Uncategorized, Waterberg, Youthbicycle, bike, Charity, Charity fundraising event, Cycle challenge Cambridgeshire Hertfordshire Befdfordshire, cycling, Fundraising, Long distance riding, sponsored cycle ride through Cambridgeshire, Sponsored ride, What to do in Cambridge May 2024Sophie Neville

Dear Friends, TWT supporters and fellow cyclists,

We are back and cycling again for The Waterberg Trust on Saturday 11^th 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.

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.

barrington.burles@gmail.com williamorme@btinternet.com andrew.tusa@btinternet.com

TWT North Norfolk Cycle Ride 2022 — TWT’s Fundraising Cycle Ride, 2022

Addiction Support in the Waterberg, South Africa

April 9, 2024Africa, Charity, Community projects, Limpopo Province, Nonprofit, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized, Vaalwater, Waterberg, Youthaddiction recovery programme, Africa, art, Charity, Limpopo Province, photography, Small but effective grass-roots project helping rural people in the Waterberg, South Africa, Travel, WaterbergSophie Neville

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.

Providing on-going support for the needy in the Waterberg, South Africa

March 11, 2024Africa, Charity, Community projects, Ending period poverty, Home Based Care, Limpopo Province, Nonprofit, Orphans, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized, Vaalwater, Vulnerable Children, Waterberg, YouthAfrica, Charity, Education, Limpopo Province, news, Small but effective grass-roots project helping rural people in the Waterberg, South Africa, WaterbergSophie Neville

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.

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.

People come to Sister Grace with their problems — 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 hose in need. — 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 care nursing in the Waterberg — 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.

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

PROVIDING ONGOING SUPPORT FOR MANY FAMILIES

Acts of Mercy - helping the needy in the Waterberg — Acts of Mercy – helping the needy in the Waterberg

2024 – Talks on Addiction, Food Parcel Distribution and Home Based Care in the Waterberg, South Africa

February 6, 2024Africa, Charity, Community projects, Education, Ending period poverty, Healthcare, HIV, HIV awareness, HIV prevention, Home Based Care, Limpopo Province, Nonprofit, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized, Vaalwater, Vulnerable Children, Waterberg, Youthaddiction, Africa, Charity, food parcels for the needy in the Waterberg, health, lectures on addiction to school children in South Africa, Limpopo Province, mental-health, news, Providing school shoes for African pupils, recovery, Small but effective grass-roots project helping rural people in the Waterberg, South Africa, WaterbergSophie Neville

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.

If you could help by making a donation, however small, please click here for The Waterberg Trust’s Justgiving site or visit our How to Donate page.

Some of the food parcels purchased this month

PROGRESS:

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.”

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.

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.

Highlights of 2023

January 31, 2024Africa, Charity, Community projects, HIV awareness, Limpopo Province, Nature Conservation, Nonprofit, Orphans, Peer Education, School vegetable gardens, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Trustees, Uncategorized, Vaalwater, Vulnerable Children, Waterberg, YouthAfrica, Charity, Charity fundraising event, Education in rural South Africa, Limpopo Province, Matric results in the Waterberg Region of South Africa, Small but effective grass-roots project helping rural people in the Waterberg, South Africa, Sponsored ride, WaterbergSophie Neville

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 2023 with 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 thinking The Waterberg Trust — 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.

The Environmental Club, supervised by Sister Grace, grows food for school feeding schemes.

Sister Grace gathering butternuts grown in a TWT School Vegetable Garden sponsored by EIMS — 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.

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.

Baby clothes — 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.

TWT Cycle Ride 2023 — 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.

2023 Annual Report from Sister Grace on her work for The Waterberg Trust in South Africa

December 12, 2023Africa, Charity, Community projects, Education, Ending period poverty, Healthcare, HIV awareness, HIV prevention, Home Based Care, Limpopo Province, Nonprofit, Orphans, Peer Education, School vegetable gardens, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized, Vaalwater, Vulnerable Children, Waterberg, YouthAfrica, donate for Christmas, Limpopo Province, Small but effective grass-roots project helping rural people in the Waterberg, South Africa, WaterbergSophie Neville

School nurse Sister Grace working with Waterberg school in South Africa

In the last three years 1500 FOOD PARCELS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED, ALONG WITH ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES, TO 1000 INDIVIDUALS IN NEED .

You can make a donation on Justgiving to keep this amazing project going.

or visit our How to DONATE page

Food purchased by TWT and distributed to the needy in January 2023

ROUTINE TASKS AND INTERVENTIONS – REACHING OUT TO THE NEEDY THROUGH:

HOME VISITS TO IDENTIFY THOSE IN NEED

PRE NATAL AND POST NATAL VISITS

Monitoring a baby born to a teenage schoolgirl

FOOD PARCEL DISTRIBUTION

DONATING CLOTHES, BEDDING AND SANITARY PADS

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

Matric students being motivated to study hard for their exams

LEARNING PROBLEMS

The Vaalwater based facilitator for Masifunde Learner Development

TEENAGE PREGNANCY

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

COUNSELING

NUTRITION – WITH A SHOOL MEALS SCHEME

Produce grown in a school vegetable garden

SCHOOL VEGETABLE GARDENS & RECYCLING PROJECT

CHALLENGES

POVERTY

ORPHANED CHILDREN

DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES

INCREASED TEENAGE PREGNANCIES

SUBSTANCE & ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONGST THE YOUTH

GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE RESULTING IN PHYSICAL INJURY

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 with 2023 Matric students in new uniforms

Our school nurse reports from the Waterberg in South Africa

October 10, 2023Africa, Education, Limpopo Province, Nonprofit, Orphans, Peer Education, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized, Vaalwater, Vulnerable Children, Waterberg, YouthAfrica, Charity, Limpopo Province, Small but effective grass-roots project helping rural people in the Waterberg, South Africa, Vaalwater, Waterberg, Waterberg schoolsSophie Neville

SCHOOL REPORT FROM JULY – SEPTEMBER 2023

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.

Lapalala Wilderness School's rhino poaching project — Lapalala Wilderness School’s anti-rhino poaching project 2023

PROGRESS:

Grade10 learners from the Waterberg district participated in a Public Speaking Competition held at Lapalala Wilderness School on 23^rd 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.

Learners performing a drama about becoming a teenage mother — 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.

Masifunde Learner Development, an organization partnered with the Department of Education, implements programs for school safety to deal with social issues arising in schools.

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)

Adherence Counseling – 15 (those taking ARV’s, antidepressants & anti-epileptics)

Medical issues – 20 (Asthma, acid reflux, conjunctivitis, dental infection and tonsillitis)

Minor Ailments – 45 (menstrual pain, headaches, allergic rash, sports injury, cough & rhinitis)

Social Issues – 10 (No food at home, poor family support, alcoholic parents, fighting at school)

BELOW ARE POINTS HIGHLIGHTED BY THE GAME CHANGERS CLUB

Improved learning and safe environment in schools
To upgrade classroom with heaters in winter as they get very cold
To ensure teachers are present during their allocated period (We noticed an increase in teacher absenteeism)
To address issues of gender inequality
To improve and protect learners from bullying and abuse
To empower learners with knowledge and skills during academic periods
To engage with various physical sporting activities to keep fit

Many thanks to TWT donors supporting Sister Grace and volunteers at the Northern Education Trust who back up her work.