We exist for the people we work with; to support them in the process of learning and playing, to help them build essential life skills, to teach them to skate, to give them a mentor or a person to talk to, and so much more.
They are the reason why we are here.
Melokuhle’s story:
Melokuhle is in her second year of our Early Childhood Development Programme. The activity she loves the most is reading, and her favourite book is Cindy Moo by Lori Mortensen. She told us that her favourite meal is rice and bean soup. She loves coming to Thanda because the teachers are fun and she enjoys playing with her friend Azokuhle who she says is her hero.
Asibonga’s story:
Asibonga is in his last year of Early Childhood Development (ECD). It is no surprise with a small community like ours that he has three siblings in Thanda’s After-school programmes, too. His teacher, Dudu, describes him as very smart and active so much so that, “he explores and can answer any question.” His favourite thing to do is play with toy cars and his favourite book is Three Billy Goats Gruff by Carole Bloch. His uncle is his hero because he takes Asibonga with when he buys cement and does a job so he feels big and strong!
Sanelisiwe’s story:
Sanelisiwe is a Grade R student, and a graduate of our Early Childhood Development Programme. Her favourite activity is reading Spider-Man and discussing the story with her classmates because Spider-Man helps others. She told us that Thanda has made coming to school fun because they play games, and if she could share something about her community with other people it is that “we sing and dance a lot!” She looks up to her mom because she supports her and her teachers comment that Sanelisiwe is very brave, especially on a skateboard!
Asanda’s story:
Asanda is a grade 7 student who has been in Thanda for 4 years. Her favourite part of class is being able to be open and have discussions with Ms. Molefi, her facilitator, about everything, like animals and nature. She told us that Thanda has made coming to school fun and has impacted her community the most through organic farming. She says, her grandmother, who is in the programme, can now plant vegetables and make money. If she could share one thing with people from around the world about her community it would be that, “we help each other a lot here and there is a lot of love.”
Thank you for your support and for being a part of each person’s story.
