2013 Update & Wishes

Another update from one of our biggest supporters, Mama Vernon...

My very best wishes to you all for a healthy and safe New Year. May many dreams come true in 2013.
This is the time of year to reflect on the past twelve months and make plans for the future.

Congratulations to the children who completed Grade 7 at the end of 2012. This is the first group to complete Grade 7 at Sooka Community School. Such a milestone. We appear to have been unsuccessful in obtaining funding through ‘Room to Read’ for a Library/playroom and classroom, but let’s not give up! I love a challenge! Some fundraising has been going on in Tamworth, Australia and hopefully in 2013 we can do some more improvements at the school. A new classroom and more toilets
are top priority. A Library/playroom would be a dream at this stage.

My biggest dream would be to hold one or two days per week Pre-School in the playroom. Research shows the human brain develops more by the age of 3 ½ than any other stage of life. Some Pre-School days would set the children up so well for Grade 1.

Joyce and Elliot Dube, the owner & chef of Safari Club Bar and Grill 

I had my 60th Birthday in September and we had a party at the Safari Club, Tamworth (where else!!). Guests were asked to dress ‘with a touch of Africa’and some made great efforts, which were really appreciated. I wore a Chetenge, the traditional wrap skirt of the Lozi people. I know the community at Sooka would approve, as they gave me one in September 2011. In lieu of gifts I asked friends and family (who were interested) to make a small donation to Sooka Community School. I had no idea how generous they would be and we now have some money in the bank to plan new things for the school.

Also at my party I had a really lovely surprise……………..
Howard Shackleton had recorded the whole school singing “Happy Birthday” to Joyce. This was quite a team effort. Our daughter had been emailing Sherie Shackleton and over all those miles came the wonderful voices of Sooka Community School children. What a beautiful moment. We couldn’t play the video but were able to play the singing through the sound system on the restaurant. I hope the kids know how much that meant to me, my most precious gift. Awesome ***********************

The birthday cake!

In May 2013, six Tamworthians will arrive at Shackleton’s Lodge. I am going over and we have a team to conduct a dental clinic with all the school kids. We also plan to paint the inside of the second classroom, if it has not been done yet. We are all getting organised and really excited.

HOT OFF THE PRESS… A friend gave me a generous donation in lieu of Christmas gift cards etc that she would normally give family and friends. I have been able to purchase 130 red, polo style sports shirts for the school. They are posted, so hope they arrive before we do in May. These were on the school ‘wish list’ from 2009. The first brand new uniforms I have posted to the school, I know the children will be very excited to receive them.

So looking forward to seeing the Sooka community and you all at Shackleton’s in May.