John 21 verse 16 “Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep.” 

Hinke de Wal, Netherlands 

We are so priviledged to have Hinke volunteer at iKhaya. She recently completed her schooling and lives with her family on a farm in the Netherlands, where she has her own business stabling and caring for horses. In this way she saved to pay her own way to come to us for 3 months before she embarks on her tertiary studies. 

Hinke has dived right in and is spending valuable time with the kids doing school readiness games and other educational exercises with them. One on one time is irreplaceable in terms of the kids overall development, including emotional upliftment, confidence building and language stimulation. 

We pray that God would touch your heart and stir up a desire to make a change in our world through this volunteer experience with us. 

St Catherine’s School, Save the Rhino Day 

Sarah and Pauline accompanied a few of the kids to the annual fundraiser at St Catherine’s School in Empangeni this year. It was a fun filled morning that included a colour fest, rhino nail art and many food and refreshment stalls. There’s nothing greater than having fun while raising funds for a great cause. Everyone’s colourful appearance is proof enough! 

Nomonde the Grade R Baker! 

Nomonde was the proudest baker ever! She assisted in making her own “baker baker” treats together with Pauline and Sarah. Thanks ladies for your input into the kids’ lives. Teaching them daily life skills is something no one will ever take away from them. You empower them by allowing them to be a part of “life” and they will be well rounded young adults one day! 

Fun, Fun, Fun

Our kids enjoy lots of fun both in and outdoors using our awesome facilities. Daily activities include playing on the jungle gyms, jumping on the trampoline, digging in the sandpit, riding bikes, kicking balls or simply creating fun using a wheelbarrow. Learning need not be boring or simply in a classroom. Children thrive and develop through play and making it fun is even better. 

Ola, Empangeni 

Thank you Ola for treating our kids to loads of fun, gifts and icecreams. Outings like this make the kids lives a little more normal and without which they would lead intitutionalised lives. Thanks for making life full for them! Great fun was enjoyed by all. 

Gift from a friend 

The sheer delight says more than words could express.

What a surprise Jabu had to receive a package in the post all the way from Canada. Thank you to all our friends, both past and current, for remembering the kids is special ways.

Holiday Program 

Some much needed rest and time of refreshing was needed by both the school kids and staff after the end of the 3rd school term. The kids enjoyed an outing to the beach and loads of arts and crafts to keep them busy and out of mischief.

Birthday Bash! 

Njabulo had his 5th birthday on the 30 October and Alwande turned 7 on the 31st. This of course called for a celebration! Our kids enjoyed cake and the birthday kiddies each received a gift which makes them feel important and loved. Thanks once again to the BWA Zululand for making this possible. 

Thank you for taking the time to read our news and for your ongoing support, love and care. 

With Love 

Loressa Neale 

Coordinator 

“Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” – Matthew 18:4-5

German Volunteers arrive with great delight!

It was just like the anticipation of Christmas to young children as we awaited the arrival of Pauline and Sarah from Germany on 1st September. My daughters, Bryce and Kaylee, were delighted to tag along to Richards Bay airport to meet them for the very first time. We made our way home to iKhaya where house-mom and dad, Ellen and Honest, awaited our arrival with a much appreciated hot meal for supper. Despite being completely exhausted from 24 hours on the go, the young ladies agreed to join us at one of our Solid Ground Church Home Groups before settling in for a good night’s rest in their new-home-to-be for the next 11 months! Welcome and all the best girls. May this time be one you will remember fondly and may your hearts always be changed and burdened to help the less fortunate!

Empangeni Christian Scool, Grade R welcomes Spring!

Celebrating Spring at ECS along with our Grade R kiddies was great fun! We decided to join in the festivities in support of our kids by dressing up to the theme of Cowboys and Cowgirls. The teachers pulled out all the stops to make the morning tea fun and entertaining for us all. The kids amazed us with some great line dancing and the parents attempted to participate much to everyone’s amusement!

Cupcakes 4 Kids with Cancer

Thank you Alice and team for treating us to the most beautiful and yummy cupcakes! 

It was great to hear that you raised funds again for kids with cancer and we thank you for caring for others in this way!

The BIG 1 year old, Nothando!	Splish Splash!
Thank you BWA Zululand for joining us and spoiling Thando for her 1st birthday. She was overwhelmed by the attention and really knew that the party was all about her!	Summer has arrived early! September is Spring yet we are having heat waves of up to +-40 degrees here in Zululand. Definitely time to enjoy some water… the kids had an absolute blast!

What child does not love a tractor?

The neighboring farm has a “gandaganda” that passes by our boundary fence regularly and it causes great delight… especially for the boys. So when he passed by pulling a trailer there was no stopping Nishi! She was quick to organize a ride for the kids which they just loved! 

Volunteer Involvement

Our kids lead full and busy lives. Often it’s owed to the involvement of volunteers who play a part in organizing activities, running school readiness programs, arranging outings and so on. Our kids love the attention and thrive on their love and quality time. A few school kids showed their appreciation by making pictures for Bheki. Bronwyn organized a restaurant evening at the Solid Ground Church Coffee Shop. What a great evening and fun the kids had. Thanks to all our volunteers who so lovingly get involved and invest into the lives of our kiddies.

Days of our lives…

Just look at our adorable kids! Growing and developing daily, Pascal started sitting this month at the age of 5 months. He is so chuffed with himself and we are too proud of him. Little Alpha found the biggest hat he could and almost disappeared in it! I just love how the older kids help the younger ones. It made my heart happy to see Alwande being a big sister to Nothando as she just “graduated” from the high chair to a kids’ seat and needs watching and guidance so she does not fall off.

Thank you for taking the time to read our news and for your ongoing support, love and care.

Greeting from all at iKhaya
Loressa Neale
Coordinator

Psalm 22 v 9  “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”

French Rugby Team Visits

A French group Provins came to Felixton for 4 nights hosted by local families and took part in the 7’s tournament at Felixton College. The group travels every 2 years to South Africa and run a charity drive in France prior to their trip.  For this tour they asked their moms and grannies to knit blankets and squares to be sewn together to create blankets which they donated to us. The group also raised funds by selling red shoe laces back home and blessed us with a financial donation along with gifts, groceries and stationery for our kids and handed these over at a social braai on Friday 31 July at Solid Ground Church in Felixton after having spent quality time playing with our kids. I know these boys’ hearts were touched and we pray that they will be stirred to make a difference in their communities back home.

Empangeni Christian Scool visited iKhaya

Grade 6

The Grade 6 class from ECS visited us earlier this month as part of their Grade 6 Life Skills Lesson regarding Caring and the spirit of uBuntu.
They had a great time and blessed us with groceries and second hand clothing. Our kids lapped up the attention they got during this morning. Mrs Jessica Mcintyre (ECS Accounts) and Mrs Heather Thring (Technology Teacher) accompanied the class. Thanks for the visit and gifts; we appreciate the time you spent with us!

Feedback received from ECS, “It was a heart-touching experience for our learners and one visit they will always remember.”
Empangeni Christian School Outings

Grades R-3

The ECS Grade R kids enjoyed a visit to Dayspring Farm earlier this month. The delight is written on their faces!

The Grade 1-3 class went on a camp to TVG Eduventures Suella Zimbali on 28 July and came back having had the most amazing experience.

As a treat the Grade R class had a sleepover in their classroom. What brave teachers they are! What a highlight this was for the kids!

Thank you Teachers Cecile and Candace for all you do to make school so enjoyable!

Busy Birthday Month!

Thank you Tracey, Chantal and BWA Zululand for treating our birthday kids and making them feel loved and cherished. There is always such excitement and anticipation in our home as party days draw near.

Just a day in the lives of our kiddies…

Our kids absolutely love dance classes with Kim van der Merwe every week. One Friday the school kids were enjoying music and dancing together while the younger group went out to Felixton to ride their bikes. Jabu was the leader of the pack and was super keen to show off the moves they have learned with Kim.

Summer is knocking on our door!

Well, it’s only Spring but feels like mid-summer already! Our kids went on outings to Felixton, to ride bikes and enjoy ice-creams, and to the beach for some water and sun. Thanks to all who got involved to make the trips possible and so much fun for the kids!

Pauline Joppich and Sarah Hinze

Great excitement is brewing as our new German Volunteers set off for “Africa”. Pauline and Sarah will be spending 11 months at iKhaya investing their time and energy into the lives of our most precious children. We are looking forward to meeting them in person and getting to know them better. We are hoping they will have an enjoyable stay and get opportunities to visit nearby areas and experience a taste of culture and heritage too.

Fresh Veggies

The Ndlelenhle Co-op, represented by Collin Biyela and colleagues together with Johan de Lange, Councilor of Ward 23, and a number of representatives from the Department of Agriculture visited us this month. They enjoyed a short look around our home and donated the lushest fresh vegetables to us. What a treat to have such fresh veggies of such great quality! Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who contributes in some way at iKhaya, whether it’s your time, gifts or services we appreciate you all! Please keep in touch with us via email or our Facebook Page.

With love
Loressa Neale
Coordinator

Luke 6 v 38: Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Local Business Support

Power Spar in Empangeni assists us with cleaning materials, food and groceries on an ongoing basis. What a priviledge it was to have them visit our home. Anthony, Dean and staff you have hearts of gold. Your generosity is far reaching and your giving spirit is is a rare quality that many charities in our community have come to know and benefit from.

We also want to thank everyone who assists us at iKhaya. There are many businesses and community members who give us discounts, free services, goods and time. You may think that your small contribution is too little to make a difference but it’s not! All the littles add up and makes a BIG change. Your generosity makes the home of our kids a happier, healthier and safer place and assists us in meeting their every need. Thank you from all of us at iKhaya!

Mandela Day

18 July, Nelson Mandela's birthday, has been declared Nelson Mandela International Day. South Africans embrace the chance to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s life and to heed the call to action. People recognise their individual power to make an imprint and change the world around them on and around this day. Global change begins with small actions that gain momentum to make a difference beyond one individual’s reach. To commemorate Mandela Day Premier Foods, Umhlatuze Pharmacy (Central Park Branch) and Spar, GAC Shipping and DA Ward 23 Empangeni visited us on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 July. We were blessed with awesome ruck sacks, food and groceries, blankets and nappies and other gifts for our kids. We were all treated to lovely meals and some pampering for the staff. Thanks for making our days brighter and better!

Holiday Fun

To keep our kids busy and stimulated during the mid-year holiday we planned some activities and crafts to occupy their hands and minds. Take a look at some of the things they got up to…

Jabu our star achiever

Jabu is producing awesome results at school and came home with her second Grade 3 school report having achieved an A average. We are super proud of Jabu and the effort and heart that she has towards her school work. To reward her for her outstanding grades and her conscientiousness we took her shopping to buy herself a book as a reward. She was so chuffed at the opportunity to choose what she wanted! The staff at Bargain Books were so touched that they too gave her a second item free! Thank you Bargain Books for your kindness and care you made her day extra special!

Dancing

Kim van der Merwe offers our kiddies a great opportunity to enjoy fun physical stimulation through dance. They join her classes at the Empangeni Moth Hall once a week and they enjoy both the outing and dance class immensely.

AWOL

AWOL (A Work Of Love) is an annual event where approximately 200 school going teenagers camp in Empangeni. The teens come together and build relationships as well as receive practical and spiritual input that equips them for life. They also share God's love in the community of Empangeni, Richards Bay and surrounding areas by tackling various projects or outreaches that are organized and run by the local churches – a work of love. iKhaya was privileged to have some awesome teens “work” at our home again this year. Our sand pit was rather lean on its fill and our jungle gyms were thirsty for a good sun protection treatment. The teens worked together to finish the projects as a team and with pride. A job well done! They also had the opportunity to mingle and play with the kids. While the teens were hard at work, Sue and Leah Bernon entertained the kids with some baking. A yummy affair! From the mouths of babes… Pascal is now 3 months old and has really got big. I jokingly announced to the kids that he is sooo big now he wants to play soccer and kick the ball with them. I was promptly asked to show them that he could stand! I thought I best let the kids know I was joking before we have an accident with them trying to take Pascal out to really kick a ball! After laying Pascal down he started to cry. Thabiso asked why he was crying and I whispered that I think he is sad because I said he was still small. Thabiso whispered back to Pascal, “Don’t cry you aren’t small!” Thanks to everyone who contributes in some way at iKhaya, whether it’s your time, gifts or services we appreciate you all! Please keep in touch with us via email or our Facebook Page. With love and blessings Loressa Neale Coordinator

Thank you for your interest in iKhaya LikaBaba and for taking the time to visit this site. Should you wish to partner with us in any way please visit the “Get Involved” page.