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What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.

Nelson Mandela
 
It is the little things we see each day that truly demonstrate the impact our programmes have on our VUSA children.  It is witnessing a child's sense of accomplishment when they work through a challenging Maths sum, or seeing a child walk a little more confidently after scoring his first try.  

On Saturday, we took children on a tour of Salt River's magnificent street art, followed by a fun- filled culinary experience at Food Jams  Whilst walking through the streets of Salt River, we came across a small community garden.  At the entrance of the garden was a big daisy bush on which all the children commented , but it was only the next day whilst looking at the photos  that we noticed the children examining and smelling the flowers.  It then suddenly dawned on us that this was not an everyday sight for our children.  Gardens filled with pretty flowers are rare in the streets of Langa, and whilst the whole day was full of new experiences, laughs and smiles, it was seeing a child take a moment to literally stop and smell the flowers, that reminded us that every experience that a child has, helps to shape them.  It is our job to keep creating new opportunities to shape well-rounded, mindful, educated, resilient children.

Thank you for your support of VUSA and for helping to create opportunities and to open up new horizons for our VUSA children.

Kind regards
Brendan, Mak and Nikki
STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS
GLOBAL GIVING CAMPAIGN
We are more than half way there - in order to become a Global Giving partner we must raise $5000 from 40 individual donors by 30 September.  Thank you to everyone who has supported thus far.  
SUPPORT GLOBAL GIVING CAMPAIGN
IT'S TRY TIME
It has been a fantastic term with school rugby returning.  Our children were ecstatic to visit new communities and schools.  Thank you so much to Hamiltons Rugby Club, Wynberg Boys Junior School, Bishops Prep and NTK Youth Academy for hosting our players. 
OUT AND ABOUT
Thank you so much to Kate Crane Briggs of Culture Connect Curated Experiences for arranging a magnificent day in Salt River for us on Saturday.  Our kids loved the street art tour and learnt so much (thank you Sue Johns for all your assistance).  Thank you also to Jade, Aphelele and the team at Food Jams for showing our kids how to cook the delicious lunch.  Awaken Opportunities? #NailedIt
ECD MAKE-OVER
Thank you so much to the Bishops Prep PA, Sea Point Paint and Hardware for donating paint,  the Wakeford family for donating paintbrushes and the Brownell family for the beautiful trees to make over the Dalukhanyo garden.  This little renovation will create a beautiful outdoor sanctuary for the children this summer. Thank you to everyone involved.  
LEARNING THROUGH PLAY
Thank you to the Bishops Prep PA for the wonderful donation of puzzles, blocks, play dough and toys for our 3 ECD centres.  
OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO
After the successful launch of the mobile library for the ECD programme, children who attend the afterschool programme can now  take home a library book each week.  Thank you so much to all the incredible people and organisations who have made this happen.  Special thanks to Direct Axis and the Cape Town City Football Club for donating R30,000 worth of books to VUSA's little library.

We also would like to thank Sarah and Amy Gordon, Geordie Finlayson, Mia Andrews (Herschel), Dylan Matthews (Westerford) and Daniela Wakeford  for their assistance in sorting and registering all the books on the database.  
 
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.  Shoprite (#WeActForChange) provides us with product in kind which provides sandwiches and drinks for match days as well as ingredients we require for the daily meal. The Lunchbox Fund supply all our dry ingredients as well as canned foods and oil.  Deli Spices bring bucket loads of flavour and expertise (thank you Jackie Malherbe for providing your kitchen hygiene training course to our staff - it was so valuable).  Thank you also to Tony, Faith and the team at Ikhaya le Langa who share their kitchen and support our programme.  Last but not least, thank you  for your incredible donation of Nomu Hot Chocolate - what a treat. 
POP UP SHOP
Thank you to families at Bishops Prep and Rondebosch Primary School for their generous donations of clothes.  Each term, VUSA staff set up a pop-up shop so that children can select clothes they need. 
MEET OUR NEWEST TEAM MEMBERS
Meet our newest members, strength and conditioning coach, Monwabisi Tshotwana and ex-Springbok rugby player Benele 'Zizo' Makwezela.  We are delighted to have these two incredible members join our team - having strong mentors and role models is a necessity for children growing up in the townships.  With the increase in female players, we are  grateful to have a strong female to guide, encourage and empower our children. 

Monwa runs a personal training business in Rondebosch in the mornings and coaches VUSA rugby in the afternoons.  Spring has sprung and if you are looking to get fit for summer, please contact Monwa - details are on the flyer below, Not only is he a fabulous person, he's also a fantastic personal trainer.
SIYAKHULA-LANGA
VUSA has recently partnered with Siyakhula-Langa who run an afterschool academic support programme for high school learners in the Langa community.  Thank you Mercedes Artigue for offering your time to train VUSA staff members, Lungile and Simphiwe in the 'Every Word Counts' programme. 
BEAUTIFUL BEANIES
Too much cuteness - thank you Lorraine Staverees, Keith Maidwell and Hilary Downing for making these beautiful beanies for our little ones. 
WHO CAN BAKE A BISCUIT?
We love to create experiences that children from Bishops and VUSA can share. Sometimes these experiences are a little messy but always a whole lot of fun.  Thanks to all the parents and staff who assisted with the event and thank you to Anneline and the Origin team for all their help. 
WHAT'S NEXT
Outings can provide rich learning opportunities which stimulate curiosity and inspire new interests. Outings can foster children's social skills and self-confidence but most of all they create exposure to different places and experiences.

Outings planned for 4th Term
  • 27 November - Sisanda FunDaytion Beach Day
Please contact us to discuss sponsorship / team building opportunities for recreational outings. 
IN THE MEDIA
Mobile Library - ENCA
Bishops Cycle Challenge - News 24
YOU'RE SIMPLY THE BEST
We once again wish to thank all our partners, donors, volunteers, and staff for making this programme possible

Each of your actions has had a positive impact on the Langa community. If you are ever free we would love to take you for a coffee at the Langa Quarter so you can see for yourself. 

Thank you to our partners old and new for your ongoing support as well as all the countless individuals and businesses who have supported VUSA, both financially and by donating products, time or expertise.  

We are #StrongerTogether
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