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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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%
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 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.
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.
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.
Pupils Health Education has continued with talks for school children
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.
Donated items benefit the elderly, teenage mothers and neglected children
The Knitting Club in Vaalwater have provided endless homemade woolens and blankets.
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 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
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
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
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
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.
PROGRESS:
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.
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.
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)
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
Sister Grace continues to support those in need in the Waterberg, encouraging families to establish vegetable gardens to supplement to their meals. As school nurse, she encourages kids to return to school, ensuring they don’t get involved in substance abuse prevalent in Leseding Township. Many school girls continued to receive sanitary pads, pens and pencils.
If you would like to support her work and expenses, you can fundraise or make a donation via The Waterberg Trust’s Justgiving page here
PROGRESS:
Unemployed youth are attending learnership courses when they earn a salary.
School children have access to their daily school feeding scheme.
Families are running small businesses selling farm produce, poultry or clothes.
Those registered for Government Social Relief Distress grants continue to receive money.
Churches visit vulnerable community members, providing food and clothes.
Vulnerable school children were identified by teachers and supported with donated clothes or Matric school shirts. Food parcels bought from local supermarkets are collected by close family members.
Sister Grace continued reaching out to those in need, however some beneficiaries could not be found as it is harvest time and they have been going to the farms to pick peanuts.
CHALLENGES:
Poor sanitation and lack of a water supply within the community.
Migration has contributed to an already over-populated community.
There are too many potholes to reach those living in informal settlements.
Small children are involved in smoking drugs, gambling and avoid going to school.
People buy alcohol instead of food for their family. This is a huge problem.
Gender-based violence caused by alcohol abuse affects children.
If you would like to support the needy by making a donation, funds can be sent to The Waterberg Trust in the UK who organise Gift Aid. We have a Justgiving page and can accept cheques or CAF donations.
We would like to thank members of St John’s Church who donated items and guests from Horizon for their ongoing support. The donations make a huge impact on the community.
The Waterberg Trust continues to reach out to schools and attend to learners needs. Many learners struggle to read and spell properly when enrolled in High School. Sister Grace is drafting a roster for primary schools to help pupils improve their reading before reaching secondary school. She referred 145 teenagers to the local Government Clinic to help reduce unplanned pregnancy and checks up on teenage mums and supports those who need adherence monitoring – although roads are in bad state after the rains.
Sister Grace says, “I reached out to all the schools to educate pupils about alcohol & substance abuse, bullying, puberty & menstrual issues and general hygiene. These were sessions were planned with teachers to meet each class separately on an allocated schedule.”
Learners consulted individually: 355
Pregnant – 10 (4 at Meetsetshehla & 6 at Leseding High School)
Social Issues – 45 (poor living environment, poverty, dysfunctional families, and orphans)
Learning problems – 65 (Those struggling to meet requirements due to visual impairment or chronic conditions who are repeating same grade several times.)
Counseling – 35 (Provided for those taking ARV’s, anti-epileptics, anti-depressants or suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, severe dysmenorrhea, sexual abuse or bereavement.)
Medical Issues – 45 (Asthma, HIV, epilepsy, depression/anxiety, otitis media, dental infection, chronic tropical ulcers and common skin allergies.) All these conditions were seen at different schools.
Obesity – 10 (were referred to see the dietician. They are monitored every 2 weeks.)
If you would like to support Sister Grace’s amazing work, TWT can accept donations on Justgiving in eight different currencies
PROGRESS:
The primary school has since merged with Mokolo Primary School with additional container classrooms provided. The total number of learners merged was 240 to Mokolo School which now has a total of 1,316 children.
Matric results for 2022 came out. Many did well and passed. Those who failed have been given an opportunity to repeat or/and be assisted to rewrite their final exams.
Learners are kept at school longer to attend extra classes.
The circuit office for Vaalwater introduced a prize giving initiative to honor and award learners who performed well. Teachers and schools with a high percentage pass rate (this includes both Primary & High Schools) were also recognized.
Prizes given were certificates, trophies. Laptop computers were given to those who performed best.
New teachers are filling vacant posts.
Schools conducted inter-school athletics at District level and received awards
Grade 12’s attended a career guidance camp.
Some school leavers were given in internships in farming & poultry production. Others have been placed in surrounding schools to assist teachers and learners. They get a monthly stipend. Contracts run from 8 to 12 months.
A snake handling course was held.
WE DONATED 300 WASHABLE ECO-SANITARY PADS TO NEWLY ENROLLED GRADE 8s FROM LESEDING AND MEETSETHSEHLA HIGH SCHOOLS. THE DONATION WILL HELP KEEP GIRLS AT SCHOOL WITHOUT MISSING CLASSESDUE TO MENSTRUAL ISSUES. MANY COME FROM POOR FAMILY BACKGROUNDS AND CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY SANITARY PADS.
THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL DONATION
We will need more next year! If you are able to make a donation, however small, you can find our details on the TWT Donate page here
CHALLENGES:
Protests by the community due to lack of transport for learners to school. Many learners had to miss classes for 3 weeks
Overcrowding of learners due to merging of a primary school which was moved from privately owned land.
Inadequate toilets to accommodate the high numbers of learners.
Shortage of staff in surrounding farm schools .
Poor communication channels between schools and stakeholders.
Undisciplined learners who come to school whenever it suits them.
MATRIC RESULTS FOR 2022:
Leseding High School = 97% Now the leading School in the Vaalwater Circuit
Mohlakamotala High School = 79.7%
Meetsetshehla High School = 60.2%
HEALTH EDUCATION:
Schools of the Waterberg reopened on the 11th January 2023. Some were not ready due to various challenges: there were no busses to transport learners to school, toilets were inadequate and there was a closure of a primary school located on privately owned land.