As incoming directors, the task of trying to fill the huge shoes of Karin and Lutz is both challenging and exciting. The last six months has flown by as we have both tried to feed as much as possible, off years of experience and a wealth of knowledge and insight.
For both of us there were challenges as incoming directors. For Lungelo, the transition from manager to director and the acceptance from the staff of his new role. For Robyn, to integrate into the HOKISA ‘family’ and to form bonds with both the children and the staff. We believe that we have both come to achieve the respect and support of the team and that together we can look forward to maintaining what is already in place and building on this with new ideas and optimism.
The health and well being of the children has as always been a priority and thanks to support from our funders we have been able to initiate necessary interventions to give the children the additional or specialised support that they require. We have an excellent multi-disciplinary team of dedicated people (Teachers at school, Occupational and Speech Therapists and a Psychologist), who support the children with their needs. We have also enhanced our learning support with the assistance of one of the children’s aunt, who provides extra help for some of the younger children. A team of volunteers offers assistance to the older children with homework and projects twice a week. The HOKISA childcare workers assist with all external support and gain knowledge and skills from the team. Some of the children required specialised dental work done due to damage that may have been caused by the ARV syrup. Once again, thanks to our loyal friends and supporters, this was made possible and they are all fully recovered and are very well.
We have also had lots of fun this year! The children continue to receive dance lessons from our wonderful teacher Yasha. They are a highlight of the week. Even our baby joins in the dancing these days and Friday afternoons are very festive at HOKISA. In summer we enjoyed the beach and the pool a lot and many of the children now swim very well and they all enjoy the water very much. Some of children signed up to the Fish Hoek Lifesaving Club and we are hoping to continue with this when the weather gets better and the season opens again. We have enjoyed many outings as a ‘big family’, including the Zip Zap Circus, the MTN Science Centre, the Green Point Stadium and the Aquarium on Madiba’s birthday last month. The older children enjoyed an exciting train trip to the city and explored the hustle and bustle of Cape Town, while the younger children went on a trip to Simonstown and enjoyed ice creams and the views of the ocean from the train. Library Monday’s are a routine event and the children are well known and very warmly welcomed at the Fish Hoek Library.
Happy Birthday Tata Madiba!
18 July 2009
We had many visitors from friends and supporters and bonds were strengthened. Heather Howells ran the Comrades Marathon and raised R40000 for HOKISA. The children learnt about the history of the race and watched it on TV and then spent the day with Heather, held her medal and listened to her story or triumph and endurance on the race. Heather plans to take on the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon next year, a 7 day, 250 km survival race, as another fund raising drive for HOKISA.
As we watch the children grow and try to guide them along the paths they choose we also learn a lot from them. From school camps to school disco’s, friends and birthday parties, sports and many extra mural activities, it is a constant hub of activity and life. The children constantly fill our hearts and feed our souls.
We also face the upcoming decisions that need to made about the older boys initiation ceremony as our 2nd oldest prepares to become a man. We constantly strive to make all decisions and choices in the best interests of the children and of HOKISA.
The HOKISA team feel encouraged to grow and there is a very positive move to further qualifications, knowledge and skills. There have been challenges and achievements with training and the staff all remain motivated to learn more and enhance their knowledge and capability of doing their jobs better. We continue to explore options and in the next few months there will be different staff members qualifying in Home Based Care, First Aid and HIV/AIDS management in a Children’s Home. This, as well as continuous and ongoing in-house training on Childhood HIV as well as the variety of other issues that we deal with.
Going forward we aim to grow our local fundraising network and to work towards a local support base that can assist with our increasing needs and the enrichment of the children. We also feel so grateful to have already received invitations to Germany and Holland next year to meet with our international friends and supporters, in order to strengthen links and ties. We hope to build on the relationships that have for so long been loyal and generous to HOKISA.
Once again we would both like to thank Karin and Lutz for their ongoing support and encouragement and most of all their belief in both of us. We would also like to thank the board for their trust in us going forward. To ALL of you we can only request the same support going forward and promise our ongoing hard work and dedication.
Lungelo and Robyn
