Year-End Function – Flying High

On Saturday, 2 December, we celebrated yet another successful year of learning at Lesedi Day Care (LDC). LDC is a registered non-profit organization. We operate as a community crèche for children of farmworkers in the Sekhukune, Toitskraal area. Off to the Big School 23 Of our farmworker children graduated in 2023 and began their formal education in January 2024. We wish them well on their journey and will keep ourselves (and our supportive readers) updated on their progress. Daunting Statistics The difficult economic climate has hit hard, even more so for people without schooling. According to the 2023 Q3 statistics, the unemployed with no schooling have seen an increase of 27.5%, while the unemployed with a secondary school completion certificate have seen a smaller increase of 2%. With this in mind, it remains heart breaking that 4.3% of children of farmworkers still do not attend school. Importance of ECD In March 2023 the World Bank stated that investment in Early Childhood Development (ECD) is one of the most important tools available to make sure children benefit from formal schooling, and later in life, from improved health, social, and economic outcomes, to reduce the intergenerational transmission of poverty. United to Help Together we are helping our farm children grow up and become healthy, educated adults – able to contribute towards our community and our country. In 2012, when LDC initially opened its doors with just 10 children from farm-working families, the prospect of making a meaningful impact on the lives of these young ones seemed like a distant dream. Fast forward 11 years, and it is with great pride that we reflect on the fact that we have positively influenced the lives of 391 children. Our Team Our forerunners at LDC, the people we entrust with the daily care of our children, also need a special thank you from us. They love our children and care for them as for their own. Valencia has dedicated the past 9 years to teaching our farm children, demonstrating unwavering commitment to our school. We appreciate her heart – her dedication to our farmworker children. In the world of citrus, the two main varieties of oranges are navels and valencias. Navels are sweet but have a short shelf life. Valencias, on the other hand, are very special, they far outlast navels. The Valencia is a much stronger fruit and customers, who know their citrus, prefer valencias. This is our Valencia, strong and tenacious! Lettie is our cook. Children cannot learn on empty tummies, so Lettie performs a vital part of the LDC winning team. She has been part of our team for the past 7 years. Itumeleng has volunteered her services as a top-class cleaner for the past 2 years. We demonstrate self-respect to our children by maintaining cleanliness and tidiness in our home and surroundings. Dolly has long been an integral part of our LDC family, and this year, she has transitioned to a full-time role, providing invaluable assistance. Thato and Sharon have taken the responsibility of bringing our children to school. Although we care for children of farmworkers, most farmworkers no longer reside on the farms where they work. This has posed a logistical challenge, but fortunately, Thato and Sharon assist us with this issue. Thank you for your help and please continue to ensure the safety of our children. Hannelie owns the Monkeynastix agency in town and supports us with weekly classes. You'll notice that the lessons not only bring joy to the children but also contribute significantly to their overall development. Melissa and Chalene are the beautiful ladies who work with our children every week. Toitskraal Primary – Elke and her team have been supporting us from the very start. We are so privileged to have such a good school close by. Wilma has been a huge support for us and our children transitioning to primary school. Thank you for the attention you give our children. We are saddened at the untimely news of the passing of our dear Marie Niewoudt. Marie always made time for us and offered frequent guidance to Valencia. Her absence is deeply felt, and we miss her dearly. The Katlego Sitrus Team, with their monthly contributions, plays a crucial role in keeping our doors open. We extend our gratitude to the owners in Dubai, Hadi Abuseedo and his family, as well as the directors in South Africa, Dave and Sean. We also appreciate the team here with us; Martin, Rean, Jaco, Johannes, and Maryna. Their kindness and loyalty to our project allow us to continue year in and year out. Our Parents are incredibly important pillars in the lives of our children. The saying ‘Fatherless – futureless’ rings very true. Without the love and support of parents, children struggle to overcome life’s challenges. Die Beeld-Kinderfonds, who co-funded our Monkeynastix classes, deserves acknowledgement. Their much-needed aid has made a significant difference to the lives of our children.