September 2024 Pikkewyntjies / Penguinkidz Ne...
In this month's newsletter, we celebrate our remarkable alumni, including three former Pikkewyntjies kids.
Consider Supporting Our Children
When the lockdown was imposed and the school closed it was for three weeks. Zaan was in contact with our children’s guardians telephonically. The feeding scheme continued in the village of Mooi Uitsig albeit along different lines and Spar vouchers were delivered to the homes of Pikkewyntjies who don’t live in Mooi Uitsig.
It very soon became impossible though, to feed only our children in the village and not their older siblings and it was very good news when a group of Betty’s Bayers rallied support from people in high places to subsidise the feeding scheme. They were eager to also help the adults who subsist largely on piece work. The school assumed responsibility for 250 servings of porridge each morning and 250 servings of a hot, nutritious midday meal. The food was served in the community hall.
Groceries for such a large number of people do easily reach an alarming total, however so that fresh vegetables, let alone cheap cuts of meat for the soups and stews have become unaffordable.
Most South Africans are supporting soup kitchens or feeding programmes right now but if you happen to be someone who isn’t and would like to, you could consider supporting our children with donations of vegetables or a Spar voucher in lieu thereof. Zaan can collect. Zaan Cilliers, Principal: 073 572 8120 OR penguinkidz@hotmail.co.za
It was also of course imperative when lockdown was extended to help the kids keep up with schoolwork. Christen (teacher) and Zaan printed and distributed lessons for their classes but Zaan also had to make a plan for the children in Primary and Secondary school who live in Mooi Uitsig. No one in the village has an internet connection of course and lessons from their teachers were emailed. Zaan approached Nico, the owner of ASK-IT, an Internet provider who has helped us before and he set up data for them in the community hall in Mooi Uitsig. The homework sheets are printed at the school.
More and more, Pikkewyntjies is not just the preschool that prepares children to embrace the world but the aftercare too which they and their parents rely on in their hour of need. The Pikkewyntjies staff consists of four remarkable women, backed by a volunteer board led by a highly motivated chairlady dedicated to the well-being of the children. Income under normal circumstances is sometimes only enough for the month by clever management. The needs of the children grow exponentially.
I’m a volunteer supporter of Pikkewyntjies School and I feel honoured to help these remarkable women where I can. They are living proof that you can’t keep a good South African down.
