Chairperson's Report 2011

Dear friends and supporters!

You have encouraged us, prayed for us and supported us financially and now we can , after one year, report to you about the success of our joint project - a foster home for abandoned, vulnerable and HIV positive children - a happy family place.

We are very fortunate - rather our children are - that we have found Joyce, a jewel of a foster mother. She has again 5 children in her care. Earlier this year we were able to reunite 3 of our children with their families. It it is amazing how these little ones are changing from being sad and shy to happy and chatty little beings in a short time and whose most important person is Mama Joyce. Their physical limitation and handicap becomes less with her input and effort. She has the support of a Physio-, Occupational and Speech therapist and the help of 2 third year Psychology students.

Joyce has also learned to be very responsible with her monthly allowance and has just past her annual performance evaluation with flying colours.
She is asked to keep medical records and report on each child's developmental progress besides taking care of household chores, taking and bringing the childlren to and from the creche and clinic and giving them individual attention. We employed a very kind and patient assistant, Elizabeth who is loved by the children and who comes to share the work with Joyce 5 x a week for half a day and replaces her on her days off. Four children are attending creches. Our youngest one, a little girl, has just celebrated her first birthday and still enjoys the full attention of Mama Joyce.

In August 27 our friends from St Peter's, Arlington, USA after helping us financially, came to assist us with beautifying our foster home . They painted a colourful mural, planted small bushes around the home and erected a jungle gym. Their enthusiasm showed every day with their work, and especially in the love quilts they brought from their congregation . A group of parishioners of St Peter's under the guidance of Gretchen had created with the drawings of their Sunday school children; - illustrating love - 7 quilts - one for each child and the foster mother.

The home received a vegetable tunnel from "Food Basket for Africa", sponsored by Pick'n Pay's Ackerman Foundation and Joyce has been harvesting fresh chard and brocoli for several months.

Our calendar for 2012, "Southern Cape Peninsula" is on the market and receiving great reviews..
Please, contact me (e-mail: peteandme@mweb.co.za ; mobile: 074 915 7747 ) if you like to order one.

We are sure - because we see it with every child - that our home - with the immense help of Joyce - is the best place to give our children a new chance at life and offer them the possibility to become anything they want to be and are capable of.

We thank you for your interest and your involvement with our children,
and wish you a blessed Christmas and a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year 2012

In sincere appreciation from the members of the Trust and Joyce and the children.
Monika du Sautoy
Chairperson

Fun with Gisela and Franz

The children of the "Home to Grow" are very fortunate. Many people take personal interest in there wellbeing and happiness. Two of these supporters who have become great friends of the children are Gisela and Franz from Germany.

Here are a few pictures of events which were highlighted by their contributions and active participation.

Yazi celebrated his 7th Birthday in December 2011 and the children and Joyce were invited by the owner of our local fish restaurant for a pre-Christmas party at the "Salty Sea Dog". Dave Horwitz, owner of the tourist boats in the Simon's Town harbour offered to take the children and adults on a tour around Simon's Town bay. Yazi was very excited - as we told him it was all for the occasion of his birthday. The most thrilling part of the outing happened when one of the Navy frigates turned into the harbour just about 50 meters in front of us. Following the boat trip we enjoyed a lovely birthday cake at the Salty Sea Dog.

Gardening chores

Children are very excited using for the first time their new watering cans donated by friends from Germany. Being a hot day the watering went much further than the plants.

Molly making sure the vegetable plants get enough water, so they can be harvested soon.

Summer News

Assistant Foster Mother

Elizabeth is the assistant foster mom, supporting Joyce in her role as house mother. She's a warmhearted person much loved by the children. She has settled in well, and is a great help to Joyce. The home is radiates happiness and there's a settled routine. The children are responding well to the special care and attention. Joyce is remarkable with her practical attitude towards raising her new family. The children are bonding well together and the house is now a home with children who behave together as siblings would.