“Your Help Builds Their Future”
“Your Help Builds Their Future”
Category: VMS
Together we bring hope in the ordinary. What do I mean? Everyday life is a challenge for our children and families. Many witness or are victims of abuse, have no parents and are food insufficient. At Vhusthilo Mountian School children and families learn that we care, their living situations can improve and they no longer ‘have to settle.’ With support, they find ways to improve their lives.
When the school year began some of the children appeared unhealthy, overly thin and with low energy. We realized many had never had a decent meal at home, never been hugged or shown love. While at school they receive three nutritious meals daily and thrive in our safe environment. These children have become healthy and strong. Their physical appearance is evidence of the results. They are also not getting sick nearly as often.
Through your support 119 children had a successful academic year. Twenty five children experienced their first graduation ceremony where they were celebrated for their achievements. Two hundred and fifty plus guests from all walks of life witnessed their success. This included parents and guardians, special guests from our local Department of Education Nzhelele East Circuit, our village chief, Mr. Lusunzi and his committee members, and VMS board members. Children entertained everyone with drama, poems, rhymes, and dance. Guest speakers encouraged parents/guardians to make education a priority and work together with the school.Following the ceremony the community and community leaders stood and asked that we not send the children on to other schools but rather develop a plan to offer grade 3. We listened and are now offering grade 3 at Vhutshilo Mountain School.
In October Mrs. and Mr. McNeil, and Mrs. Jennifer Fleming came to spend time with the children and see for themselves how the school and children are progressing. Everyone welcomed them; children, staff and board members. We spent the day showing them around our building and the completed renovations to both the school and playground. Children performed traditional dances and songs and our guests spent time in the classrooms. After the long day at school, the McNeil family had a lovely meal with VMS board members exploring future plans for the school.
In October we also celebrated all the children born July through December. Birthday decorations were hung and each child received a picture of themselves and a birthday present. Birthday celebrations are important at Vhutshilo Mountain School, as most of our students’ families can’t even afford a birthday cake.
In December 44 needy families received large food parcels. Included in these were donations from The Netcare Foundation and vegetables from the VMS garden. Providing these parcels is essential as it ensures our children are fed and eat well during the long school holiday.
We bid farewell to Ms. Julia Ranglo in December. Julia was our cook since the beginning of the school in 2002 when it began in Sue-Ann’s caravan. When she started at the school she became a cook and cleaner and, since the beginning, has been a wonderful addition to VMS. Julia is now home enjoying her retirement and looking after her grandchildren. We are forever grateful for her care, kindness, and loyalty. We also appreciate our Scotland family for their generous donation toward Julia's retirement funds.
We also said goodbye to a few others important to our school. Our teacher, Sir Ravhutulu, passed away in a tragic accident. We continue to look in on his family with ongoing visits and monthly food parcels. Our principal left to start a preschool and two of our teachers moved away. Fortunately, during the 3rd term, we employed two dedicated educators who remain with us. Despite the change of teachers, the children did very well academically, passing the national examination with flying colours.
The measles outbreak hit us hard. And while children were at home, the VMS team worked with parents and guardians to ensure children continued to receive their education. All of the children received treatment and are now vaccinated. We are thankful to the department of health and public and private sectors for their support when children were sick as well as the parents/guardians for working with us and keeping sick students at home.
During the past year we experienced a rash of food poisoning in South Africa. Inexpensive, outdated and spoiled food was being sold in ‘tuckshops’ which are often located near schools. Since 60% of our children come from disadvantaged homes and are at high risk for illnesses, families often bought the cheaper food at the tuckshops, unaware it was contaminated. Many area schoolchildren became sick from the tuckshop food and a few passed away. For a while all tuckshops at both private and public schools were closed. When the food poisoning started, we met with parents to advise them about the issue. We were also able, throughout the school term, to provide food parcels to these families. Fortunately no VMS student became sick from food poisoning, at home or school. Please be assured the food we provide at Vhutshilo Mountain School is quality food, safe and nutritious. One granny told us that if her grandchild was not at VMS, she would most likely have been one of the victims of food poisoning, as they live near one of the shops that was selling bad food.
This past year we renovated our school building and the playground. Nine staff members received a salary every month, and several staff went for training throughout the year. We continue to support local business as we buy our food and school supplies locally and contracted with local builders for the renovations.
We thank all our teachers, staff and supporters for being such an important part of Vhutshilo Mountain School. We also thank Lavero Lifestyle Lodge for the lovely meal during the McNeil’s visit and the Netcare Foundation for their ongoing support.
With your help, we were able to bring monumental change to the families and communities we serve. We cannot thank you all enough for your support, your care, your commitment, and your love. Some of you are good friends, some have now become friends, and others are still at a distance geographically, but know you have all made 2024 so much easier here at VMS and the community we serve. We offer an invitation to visit us anytime.
As Nelson Mandela maintained, “Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world.”
“Ro livhuwa nga maanda” a huge Venda thank you for supporting Vhutshilo Mountain School, sponsoring children and your kindness and support.
Warm regards,
Khathu Nemafhohoni
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