Eleanora Fraser
Taking ePap to Willow Tree Educare Centre has given meaning to my life. For me the secret of happiness is being able to serve.
Things have changed since Covid. It is a long time since one could interact with the children especially the Grade Rs who are always eager to learn, see, hear something new.
I enjoy the contact with the Headmistress, Berenice Jones – a firm, fair, selfless young lady who devotes herself to nurturing her charges and her 2 helpers Bebby and Sukie. One can only respect and admire the stirling work they do with 30 to 40 children most days. It is such a responsible profession – not only keeping them safe but honouring the task of imparting right principles, the ability to think and behave towards one another.
Being involved with Willow Tree is also a privilege because it enables one to get to know colleagues of another culture, another way of living and learning to see matters from another perspective. It is also a humbling reminder how fortunate we are to own a car and have the time to perform this labour of love.
Nilo Ajello
With Elizabeth , we “ clicked “ from the very beginning and we shared good and bad times helping each other with our personal suggestions and experiences to keep good standards
After 305 days of lockdown some of them without water , internet or electricity , we still ok and so I hope about you and Peter .
Today I had a brief conversation on the phone with Elizabeth . She is fine and so is the school . At the present the number of children frequenting the school is reduced , but for the rest is business as usual .
I believe she receive the e` PAP from Mark ? on a regular basis , but she misses me with my pungent observations about the school housekeeping in general and the sharing of a good laugh .
Virtual hugs and kisses
Nilo
June Wilmore
Wonderland continues to be a well run Educare however, due to COVID and the resulting economy, their numbers have shrunk from 70 children to around 40.
Thelma tells me that this has resulted in it being a battle to pay their teachers every month, particularly as some of the parents are quite lax in paying on time.
Otherwise there is not much to report as I have been just dropping off the e’Pap (not very regularly) and have not always seen Thelma.
Stay safe and warm. Love June
Laura Colarossi and Pola de Grandis
We supply Paula Whitney creche and Mad About Art.
The delivery of e’Pap continues to be a fortnightly ritual that reminds us of what is truly important during difficult and challenging times.
We are always greeted by eager children and teachers anxious to get their next load of the nutritious cereal that helps to keep tummies full and colds and flu at bay. What a godsend e’Pap is for these vulnerable communities.
Carol Kennedy
Carol’s grandchildren visiting her school
After retiring here in 2005 I took a back seat for a year or 2 as I had had my first knee replacement 6 weeks before leaving the farm in KZN. I was a junior school teacher and when our family of 3 boys were growing up, I did relief teaching at our local school on the odd occasion. On the farm that we moved to, I started a crèche for our staff children and loved being involved with the little ones.
…….. READ MORE
Lindsay Durham
e-Pap @ Leisure Isle Festivals
I write with affection as I reflect on the happy times, and there were many, of the e-Pap songsters at the Leisure Isle Festivals.
Preparations start as soon as the date for the festival are known. Actually, on the first day that the Ethembeni Day Care Centre opens in January, I would pop up to meet with principal, Vuyelwa. Her calendar for the year was open on her desk. Already there were a few arrangements booked, like the Ethembeni Talent Contest. And so it often happened that this date co-incided with the Talent Contest. But Vuyelwa was on our side and always agreed that the children could manage both the Festival and their Talent Contest …. READ MORE
Cath Wallace
Pammy's Little Angels.
Pammy started her creche in a humble shack. However, due to her dream & gentle determination & Epap's unwavering support & generous donors, the original shack was replaced with a new wooden creche. She also completed her teachers training in Oudtshoorn (thanks to Epap's teacher training programme.)
It is always a treat to visit & drop off E'pap supplies... & catch up on all the news & see the young children keeping nourished, learning & having fun too.
I am grateful to be part of the E'pap volunteers team & its vital impact (support & nutrition) that benefits the schools & crèches throughout the greater Garden Route & beyond
Sharon Keevey
Siyafunda "we are working" is the name of my school. Over 90 little ones attend the centre. The joyfully "MolwenI Sharon" when I arrive to deliver the very heavy bags of ePap warms my heart no end. The chatter and bright eyes that were once so dull, sparkle in the sunlight as they tuck into their breakfast.
The grateful "Nkosi" thank you when I leave lift my spirits. To often we look around us and say; what could little me possibly do to make any difference to this world.
My contribution is so miniscule yet when I am amongst our future generation and watch their thirst for knowledge, I remind myself that no act of kindness no matter how small is wasted.
I have made friends with my neighbours and feel part of the greater Knysna Community. Thank you to the wonder of ePap and the selfless work of Peter and Shelley.
Ingrid Meter
Like everywhere else, Tinkerland was affected by the Covid lockdown. But this wonderful crèche/nursery school, with its inspirational owner/principal Elmarie Maxim, is resilience personified! Not only did Elmarie start a community feeding scheme during the early stages of lockdown, but 16 months later she has raised funds to enable her to purchase a plot of land to move the timber Tinkerland structure from its current rented site to its own permanent site! This new site is large enough to accommodate two structures, two playgrounds as well as a substantial vegetable garden. Elmarie has inspired and mobilised the surrounding community to assist with the move and to be involved in the longterm plans for the school. Community upliftment is her mantra.
Every time I go to the school to deliver e’Pap, I come away feeling completely inspired and uplifted. The e’Pap which I deliver is the foundation food for the approximately 40 children at the school at present. The number of children at the school is about half of what there were pre-Covid lockdown, but are nevertheless steadily increasing again.
