"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." Frederick Douglass
Langa is a vibrant place; it is a community with talent and creativity in abundance, but it is also afflicted with poverty and all the stressors that go with it. Many of our VUSA children live in challenging social environments, and this environment shapes the way our children think, feel and behave.
In recent years we have worked closely with and learned a great deal from Waves for Change Founders Tim Conibear and Finlay Kettlewell, who use surfing as a therapy tool to address mental health challenges in the same way VUSA uses sport. They have helped us increase our understanding of mental health and the core pillars of our programmes that improve the emotional, psychological and physical well-being of our participants.
The key to our success has been in mobilising passionate coaches; men and women who our children trust and whose consistency and dependability make our children feel safe. Research has shown that supportive and caring relationships are vital in reshaping the brain and the responses to stress, resulting in improved self-regulation, decreased risky behaviour, and improved peer relations and academic performance.
What started as a rugby programme, academic support, and a daily meal has developed into a space where children feel safe, engaged, and motivated but mainly supported. It takes many exceptional individuals, companies, NPOs, clubs and schools to ensure VUSA can carry out its mission, and for that, we thank you all.
VUSA players will participate in the Independent Schools Rugby Festival at Bishop's from the 24 - 27 June. Please see the fixtures below and if you are free, stop in to support our players.
VUSA will partner with Bishops again on the 13th and 14th August and host another 24 Hour Cycle Challenge. Last year's challenge raised R275,000 to support VUSA programmes. The event will be live streamed again this year and if you would like more information on sponsorship and advertising opportunities, please contact Nikki Matthews.
We hope you enjoy the update and have a safe and wonderful holiday.
Brendan, Mak, Lebo, Nikki & Team
2022 has been an incredible year of growth for VUSA. The Atlas Digibus mobile classroom is running morning programmes at five schools and supports the after-school programme running Matific Maths lessons each afternoon. Thank you to Coronation Fund Managers and the Atlas Foundation for their guidance and support through the pilot of this unique programme.
An amazing term of rugby - our children have competed agains Parow, Fish Hoek, Wynberg, Primrose, Wet Pups, SACS and Sun Valley. Thank you to all our hosts - it's been an amazing term.
VOLUNTEER VIBES
EMERGING LEADERS
The staff are the strength of the VUSA programme and so their development is as important as that of the children they mentor. We were thus incredibly fortunate when Nick Cursi and Joseph Jacobs of Emerging Leaders offered our team their four-week motivational 'Leadership for Life' workshop. This inspirational course gave our staff tools to eradicate poverty thinking, to remain focused and to share everything they learnt with the children they mentor. Thank you for your support Nick and Joseph.
"EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON THAT YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD" NELSON MANDELA
Breteau Foundation
These handy little tablets support a few of our programmes - they meet the user at their level and support children with English reading and language development and Maths. Next term we will trial them with our ECD children. Thank you to the Breteau Foundation for this valuable learning tool.
EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT
The VUSA creche programme has grown from strength to strength. Each morning the mobile library visits each of the centres and children are read a story. Twice a week our coaches run an 'English as a Second Language' (ESL) class. VUSA coaches run an active programme consolidating what the children learn at each weeks ESL session.
Thank you so much to Mercedes Artigue-Beatty (Project Playground) and Sally Cattell (Speech an Language Therapist), for training our staff. Thank you Simon and Jill Hunter for providing new equipment for our gross motor programme.
OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO
Thank you to Bishops Diocesan College, Springfield Primary School and Quentin & Maureen Rookledge for donating books to our library.
THANK YOU FOR THE FOOD WE EAT
The daily meal plays a big part in our daily attendance. We could not run this programme without a few very special partners. Thank you for ensuring that our children do not go to bed hungry each day, and that they have a daily nutritious meal to ensure they can continue to learn, play and grow.
BISHOPS & VUSA OUTINGS
COVID meant that we had to stop outings and peer learning programmes with Bishops Boys. We are delighted that this programme has been able to resume this year. These outings provide children with the opportunity to play, get to know each other and just be kids. Whilst the children reside in different communities and are often from different cultures, religions and socio-economic groups, they quickly learn how much they have in common when they are able to just hang out. Thank you Nida Hendrickse and and Bishops PA for supporting this programme.
BEACH DAY
EASTER EGG HUNT AND CRAFT DAY
VUSA CRECHES VISIT BISHOPS PRE-PREP
Thank you so much to Chris Ekron and his team at Bishops for volunteering their time to provide physical and fitness assessments for our players as part of Bishops Sports Performance and Wellness Programme.
CONGRATULATIONS MR & MRS KAHLA
Congratulations to Mak & Sibu - wishing you many years of love and happiness together.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
Make a financial contribution
Volunteer your time / expertise
Like and share our social media posts and crowdfunding campaigns
Plan a team-building day with your staff and our VUSA children
YOU'RE SIMPLY THE BEST
Thank you so much to all or donors, partners, volunteers, staff and friends who go above and beyond to make sure VUSA continues to awaken new opportunities for our children.
#AwakenOpportunities
Thank you Konica Minolta for donating a printer to the VUSA classroom.
Thank you Ikeja for your kind donation of wifi to the VUSA classroom and Atlas Digibus
Thank you Lulu Lascaris and Emma Townsend for donating bras and training kit to our female players.
Thank you Carla and Jamie Boyes and Catylyst Fund Managers for your generous donation of gum guards for all our players.
Thank you Scarra Ntubeni and Pura Soda for dropping in and treating our children.
Thank you HCI Foundation for transporting our children to matches and outings.
Thank you Langa Safety Patrol for always being there to protect our children and staff.
WHAT'S NEXT?
ISRF
24-27 August 2022
Bishops Diocesan College
VUSA Art Lessons
Start Date 19 July 2022
Thank you to Larissa Hollis who has offered to run weekly art classes in Langa next term. We cannot wait to identify and nurture new talent in the community.
VUSA 24 Hour Cycle Challenge
13 - 14 August 2022
Please support our the Boys and staff as they raise funds to help VUSA continue to support children in the Langa Community through sport and education.
