Last stretch of 2020...

"Too often we underestimate the power of touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." ~ Leo Buscaglia

Greetings friends,

It is with a happy heart that I am writing to you today.

With the help from our friends and some of whom we haven't met yet, we have accomplished quite a lot despite the lockdowns we've all been through.

We told you all about our little mobile book and toy libraries - we're very proud of these and so pleased with the response we've received from the communities - the moms, caregivers, teachers and of course, the children who love them :)

In our earlier emails to you, we mentioned the educational activity packs we were distributing to children in Stanford and Masakhane to keep them engaged and stimulated at home during the lockdowns. So to give you an update on the number of packs distributed in recent months; in June, 1,054 packs were handed out, in July 1,584, August 1,370 packs, and in September, 1,261.
We really have been able to reach a large number of children.

Our heartfelt thanks to Food-4-Thought for the collaboration we've had with them for a number of years and throughout the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Our After-School Programme started up again at the start of Level 1 from our Facilitators' homes.
As a precaution, the groups are kept small with a maximum of 12 children at each. All the workshops held to date have been well attended and the children seem happy to have some normality back in their day to day lives.

Thank you to the Grootbos Foundation for the continued support of our NPO and for the thermometers they provided for each of our Facilitators so they can take the temperatures of children as they arrive to take part in the extra-mural workshops.

One of the after-school groups in Stanford.

After-school at another of our groups in Stanford.

After-school in Masakhane.

Have you seen our beautiful hand made, strong and durable key rings?

Or our lovely greeting cards - printed with the artwork of our community children?

They're blank so can be used for any occasion.

They could even be framed - that's how lovely they are.

YOU WILL FIND OUR KEYRINGS AND CARDS AT THE STANFORD TOURISM OFFICE who are selling these on our behalf - thank you Stanford Tourism.

Pop in there on your way past to see our lovely items.

... we have big plans for DECEMBER

one of these being our School Holidays Programme for all the children in your and our communities.

In our preparation for the upcoming programme, we would really appreciate any help you could give for materials needed such as:

• beads and fishing line or suitable string,

• acrylic or water colour paints,

• pencil, wax and oil pastel crayons,

• paper, white or coloured,

• buttons, feathers, stickers, ribbon,

• glitter,

• staplers and staples,

• paper plates (we need a lot of these),

or other art and craft materials...

If you are able to help with any of the materials listed, you are welcome to leave them at the Stanford Tourism Office for us to collect. Alternatively, contact us to arrange a collection from your home or somewhere else.

Perhaps you would prefer to sponsor a child to attend the School Holiday Programme? 

This can safely be done via our website at www.creativeskillsfactory.co.za, or by eft, contact Regina for our banking details.

Thank you for being on our mailing list, for your support and interest in what we are doing - we would not be able to do what we do nor have accomplished what we have without you.

If you haven't subscribed to our mailing list yet, click here.

I am sure you are looking forward to December this year and a happier new beginning in January as much as we are. We promise to send you news of our exciting December plans in our next newsletter.

Take care and warm wishes,

The Creative Skills Factory (Including Creative Works) Team