iKHETHELO EASTER UPDATE 2020
Dear Friends and Family of iKhethelo,
Thank you for taking time to read our EASTER UPDATE. We cannot believe it is already April 2020, where has the year gone. Not only is the year flying by but what a crazy year it has been so far. We recently posted an update on our response to COVID-19 on Social Media, if you didn’t get to see it, I have attached it below!
Also during this time, as a village we are praying for all of you and especially those who have been affected by the virus.
ICV ANNOUNCEMENT by Graeme Wright
Dear Friends and Family of iKhethelo,
I’m sure you are all aware that South Africa has entered into a 21 Day Lockdown to help stop the spread of Covid-19. In response to this we have had to make some drastic measures to ensure the safety of our children, staff, volunteers and local communities.
iKhethelo has already started and will continue to operate with minimal staff during this period. All visits to the village have been cancelled and we have taken full measures to ensure we minimise any risk to the children.
We look forward to opening our doors again in the near future – once our Government has given us the all clear.
We would value your support, love and prayers during this time. We as a village will continue to pray for you and your families across the globe, for God’s Love, Peace and Hope to fill your hearts as we stand together to overcome this difficult season.
GREAT START TO LOCKDOWN
As I am writing this Newsletter, we are into DAY 5 of Lockdown here in South Africa. I know some of you, have already been in Lockdown for weeks. With schools closing, and everything shutting down, we have been anxious as we face the unkown, and how this is all going to work. It’s one thing having to stay at home but when you have 50 kids and staff to consider – it brings in a whole lot of new challenges.
Looking back over the last two weeks, we are grateful that our children and staff are safe, and we are are trusting that with all the measures we have had to put in place, they will remain safe and protected from the virus.
We have a great HOLIDAY PROGRAM prepared for the kids, and they have been enjoying all the activities.
Last Sunday we had our second church service in the village. We had a great time of worship. The children spent time writing down what they felt God was saying to them, and also we spent time praying for everyone across the world, especially all of you, our extended iKhethelo family.
We prayed that durig this time, you would know that God is in control. He is our HOPE and we put our TRUST in Him.
Thank you to all of you for praying for us and for all your love and support during this time.
Below are a few more pics from the morning…
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE VILLAGE?
In our last NEWSLETTER we revealed this picture on the left & promised we would reveal what was happening in the middle of the village?
Find Out Below !!!
In January 2020, GERBER PAPER came on board to sponsor the build of a new outside area, right in the middle of the village. This area is a multi-purpose area for Homework, Wednesday evening prayers, Gatherings and holiday activies. It’s also a great place to eat when we have visitors bringing food, and a great place for our House Moms to sit in the shade or out of the rain while the children are playing.
This new space has already been well used and we are all loving it!
Thank You – Gerber Paper !!!
iLAUNCH GRADUATES
Our iKhethelo Graduates are doing well and we are so proud of them. Tami and I popped down to Durban for a visit to see how Siphiwe and Sne were settling into first year University.
Lungile was also able to join us for a milkshake at a nearby restaurant.
Lungi is now in 3rd year at UKZN and is studying to become a Lawyer. Sne has started her first year at UKZN studying a BA. It has been a rough start for her with strikes and delays to the start of the year, and now with COVID-19 all is closed. But despite all the challenges, she is doing well and enjoying her studies.
Siphiwe is also doing well, he is studying Graphic Design at DUT. He is enjoying the course and says that University is a big step up from school, he is enjoying the challenge.
Thando and Zack are also doing well (not in picture). Thando continues her studies to be a Chef, and Zack begins his first year in the engineering working field.
We are so grateful to all of our sponsors who have helped give these amazing young adults a BRIGHT FUTURE ahead. If you would like to know more about iLaunch and how you can give a young student graduating from iKhethelo, a chance in life – please contact us.
You can also read the last iLaunch Newsletter in the footer of this page!
In March 202 we celebrated the arrival of our new Quantum. The old Quantum was starting to give us lots of issues and costing us a lot of money, and so we are so grateful to be able to have sold the old Quantum and now have a brand new Quantum all ready to transport the children to school, church etc.
A BIG PART OF OUR VISION is to give our children the best Education that we can. In order to do this, we have to invest in safe and secure transport, especially from where we are located. Our vehicles do cost us a lot of money each month, but they play a key role in ensuring our children get the best education and help build a platform for them to build a brighter future.
If you would like to find a little more about our vision, you can read more about our 4 pillars in the last Newsletter from the website. If you would like to sponsor a child’s school fees or find out more about our Education needs, please contact us via the website and we will be in touch.
EXTENDED HOLIDAY FUN…
The Schools in South Africa, ended up closing a week early due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that we are in lockdown until the 17 April 2020. This means a village full of children with no visitors, no volunteers, minimal staff… Time to get CREATIVE!
It’s been a great start to the extended holiday, and the children have been busy with a whole host of fun activities. You can see just a few in the four pictures above. The children have also been swimming, doing Homework activities, computer activities, going for walks around the village… We have to make the most of this time and have been enjoying spending more time with all our children.
On the logo of our New Quantum you will see these 4 dots on the right. They represent our 4 pillars that we are working on to raise vulnerable children to wholeness and Build Brighter Futures!
Yellow – Christian values/ Love
Red – Better Health
Blue – Better Education
Green – Better Environment (Physical & Emotional)
Thank you once again for reading our Easter Update. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Easter! Despite all that is going on around the world today, we pray that God’s PEACE will be with you all – STAY SAFE!
Love from Graeme & Tami & The Rest Of The Team
A Loving Community Raising Vulnerable Children To Wholeness.
Proudly Level 1 BEE
A Section 18A Charity / Reg No. 2001/004117/08
PBO No. 18/11/13/358
NPO No. 215-074
Our Physical Address
D826 Manqoba Drive
Bothas Hill, 3610
Kwazulu-Natal
South Africa
Our Postal Address
Hillcrest, 3650
Kwazulu-Natal
South Africa
Contact Us
Office Hrs: Mon-Thu 8am-4pm
Fri 8am-2pm
Tel: +27 (0) 31 020-0221
Email: info@ikhethelo.org
iLaunch
Launch Into Tertiary Education
