Dear friends and colleagues of iThemba School Capricorn

Welcome to 2010, and the first newsletter of the New Year. What an awesome start we’ve had with the opening of our new school!

There were a few challenges towards the end of 2009 that made us worry a bit if we would meet our deadline. I can honestly say that without the exceptional support of the whole project team, Help Alliance, our new appointed teachers and outstanding staff we wouldn’t have made it. I am very proud to have such a fine team and thank you very much for all you effort.

I need as well to mention our Global Telesales staff that came out in force with paintbrushes and spades in hand, to transform the school and gardens into what they are today. Every one of you has made a difference to our new school!

Even over the festive season there was a lot of work to be done to ensure everything was on track for the new school year. I am delighted to say that the doors opened without a hitch on 13 January 2010 when we welcomed 50 learners to iThemba School Capricorn. Now that we are “up and running” our school is slowly but surely getting into a normal school routine. To read all about the first day and our on-going sponsorship drive click here.

Birgit Thümecke
Our school project will play a major part in helping our pre-schoolers find their way towards a brighter future. The iThemba goal is to be the catalyst for growth and development in an area that needs our support. Thank you for taking the journey with us.

Lastly I would like to mention another milestone that is coming up, namely the official inauguration on Friday the 5th March 2010.

Best wishes for 2010!

Birgit Thümecke

 
2. The first day of school for 50 eager children

There was great excitement amongst the school staff, GTS team members, and their guests, who gave the learners a warm welcome on their first day at school. Admittedly, there were a few tears, but these soon disappeared once the children saw their uniforms, the swings and jungle gym in the playground, and had their first school breakfast. Compliments must go to the chef as a few of the little ones asked for a second helping :) Going to school isn’t all fun and games and the children are adapting to their new environment and rules very quickly. There is so much to learn when you are under 5 years old – from how to “play nicely”, to what “nap time” really means, and even the correct way to ask to go to the bathroom. The parents tell us that putting their children to bed at night is so much easier with the promise of school in the morning. When speaking to the children and parents we heard the school being described as “special”, “exciting” and “wonderful”! Perhaps the most rewarding moment for us was to see the children have their first painting lesson. For many of them this was the first time they had experienced real paint and brushes. Their smiles were as bright as the colours – it was a truly humbling experience.


3. The iThemba school team

Our new school wouldn’t be complete without the amazing staff who works tirelessly to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Veronica is the principal who is determined to make GTS proud despite all the challenges she faces. “I remember how my teachers encouraged and helped me,“ she says “I want to do the same for these children.” She will be relying on head teacher Tania and her two assistants, Tandi and Noxolo, in the classroom. Behind the scenes, and playing equally important roles, are Fazia our cook, and Lena, who will keep the school neat and tidy.

We are also pleased to welcome Collin the janitor who joined the team in December.


4. Can we do this? Yes we can!

In eight short months we transformed a dream into reality. What started out as a 1670sqm erf in Vrygrond, Cape Town, is now a school building occupying 260sqm. What was once barren land is now a rich learning ground for 50 learners in two classrooms. Seven people from the community are already employed, and we are looking ahead to adding a third classroom for 25 more learners. This is proof that dreams do come true.

5. A day in the life of our building project manager

Life is anything but dull for Dietrich Blendermann – iThemba building site project manager. We asked him to describe a typical working day:

“Yesterdays ‘final’ building inspection went extremely well, so all I had to do was drop off an architectural plan showing the changes to the already-approved plans. Or so I thought …

9am: The Athlone council offices tell me a completely new council submission is necessary, along with 4 plans and all new application forms.

10:15am: They copy the plans for me; I colour in the changes, get the necessary forms, queue at 2 different counters, and am on my way into town.

11:35am: I meet one of the architects in town, who signs the plans in my car.

11:45am: I rush to the iThemba office and fax the application forms to the architect’s office.

12:07pm: The completed forms are faxed back and I race to get them to Athlone before they close at 12:30pm

12:23pm: Arrive at Athlone. All the forms are in order, and we receive the final stamps of approval. All that remains is the thumbs-up from the Department of Health. Whilst driving I call the Health Inspector, who will see me on Monday, and then we’ll finally receive the Certificate of Occupation.”

Phew! Talk about a job well done!

6. Sponsorship updates!

We were delighted to welcome Johannes Scherer to iThemba in early January, who handed over his theatre contributions of €2500.

Thank you once again Johannes! –
it was a pleasure showing you where your valuable donation will be spent.




Janitor house donation:
After weeks on a container vessel another donation from Germany made its way to shore and arrived safely at iThemba on Wednesday the 27 January 2010. The generous sponsors SIEGENIA-AUBI KG, Consido AG, hilzinger GmbH Fenster und Türen and iThemba Jewellery Foundation equipped iThemba with a small environmentally friendly house including furniture which will be the home to our Janitor in the near future. The donation in total is valued around €30 000 which includes sending over 2 technicians for installation by Consido AG. Thank you to all involved.


More good news: our school has become part of the MySchool Community.
The program gives individuals a vehicle through which to make a meaningful contribution to schools in a convenient and transparent manner. – the best part! It cost you as the supporter anything to make a difference! Visit the website on www.myschool.co.za.
Then complete the Supporter Card Application and fill out “iThemba Pre-school Capricorn” as beneficiary

 

We also have an exciting Harley Davidson fund-raising project in the pipeline.  Watch this space for more details. 

If you would like to contribute in any way to the day-to-day running of the school, please contact us.  We welcome once-off donations as well as the on-going sponsorship of a child.  


For any monetary donations, please use the following accounts:

South Africa: (* to be used for donations within South Africa only)
Account name: iThemba School
Bank:

Nedbank, Business Southern Peninsula

Reference, “Verwendungszweck”: Capricorn
Account number: 1232 117 633
Bank code, “Bankleitzahl/BLZ”: 123209
SWIFT Code: NEDSZAJJ
Bank Identifier Code BIC:

HELADEF1822

* Donation receipt available

Germany/Europe: (* rest of the world)
Account name: Help Alliance e.V.
Bank: Frankfurter Sparkasse
Reference, “Verwendungszweck”: Capricorn
Account number: 2000 29 223
Bank code, “Bankleitzahl/BLZ”: 500 502 01
International Banking Account Number IBAN: DE 89 500 502 01 0200029223
Bank Identifier Code BIC: HELADEF1822
*Donation receipt available / "Spendenbescheinigung" möglich

 

7. The school welcomes its first visitors

Colleagues from Lufthansa in Frankfurt, Germany, who were visiting Cape Town for business, received an unexpected treat in form of a visit to the new school. The children and staff welcomed them warmly, and after the tour the guests agreed how impressive the facilities were.

They were particularly delighted to see how the local community was benefiting from the project. We look forward to many more visits in the future.


8. The Official Inauguration of iThemba School Capricorn

The Official Inauguration of iThemba School Capricorn will take place on 5 March 2009 at 11h00.

We are looking forward to welcoming all our sponsors, international and local guests
to this very special occasion.

9. Follow us on Facebook; Twitter and our own Blog:

To get the latest updates as they happen, make sure you click onto our website (www.ithembaschool.co.za). You’ll find all the latest pictures, including those taken on the first day of school, as well as a weekly blog. And for those of you chatting on Facebook and Twitter, find us on there as well!



Finally, for a virtual tour of the school click here to watch 3 short video clips taken at the school.

Contact the iThemba School Capricorn Head office


Carola Blendermann  
Tel: +27 21 415 6909  
Email: CBlendermann@globaltelesales.co.za  

Address: Lufthansa Global Telesales (Pty) Ltd. 9th Floor Picbel Parkade. Strand Street. Cape Town 8001, South Africa

For more information, visit:
www.ithembaschool.co.za
www.help-alliance.com
www.globaltelesales.co.za