Thabang broadens its bases

THABAZIMBI – By co-opting four members of the Nozala Trust onto its Board of Trustees, the Thabang Children’s Home Trust is hoping to strengthen its support base in various respects.

At the Thabang AGM on Thursday 26 July it was apparent that even though the need is high to enlarge its capacity, the Project needs financial stabilizing before any further developments can be considered. Thabang is the only facility of its kind in this part of western Limpopo.

Nozala Trust, a Johannesburg based organization, has links with a wide range of businesses and has been in the business of empowering women in poor rural and peri-urban areas through income generating projects. With their help women would be taught skills which they can use to generate income for themselves and help with poverty alleviation.

Despite the constant battle to obtain funds for the Project, the past year has been a rewarding one for the children of Thabang. Much has been done for the development of the whole child.

Apart from many excursions, the development of extracurricular skills received much attention. These include painting, sewing, woodwork (carpentry), music, sport and organic gardening. Church activities help with spiritual growth.

Through the in-house social worker some children have been re-united with their families, even as far as Mpumalanga. Many have been able to go home during school holidays, helping them to retain contact with communities and families, giving them a sense of belonging.

Additional to this two remedial teachers, one for the Youth Centre and one for the Children’s Home, have been appointed to help the children with their academic backlog.

Five members of the Thabang Board of Trustees attended the AGM on Thursday. With them is Alson Ngoveni (right back), General Manager of the Children’s Project. The trustees are (at the back from left), Carel Jordaan (treasurer) and Gerrie Raubenheimer (chairman). In front are Ntombi Msimang (Nozala), Pam Trollope and Magauta Ngoetjane (Nozala).