December News

ThembaCare Athlone has welcomed a number of new children this month and we love getting to know them! We also seem to be in a “baby phase” with all the children under 2 years old, which keeps the caregivers very busy. One of our new little ones is a 16-month-old boy who arrived in a vulnerable state with widespread infection, and consequent developmental delay. However in less than a month we have seen a huge change. From quietly sitting on the mat he is now scooting around the playground and has become a real “chatterbox”, having long animated conversations about...well only he really knows! It is such an encouragement for the team to see how much impact a little bit of the right care makes.

This month ThembaCare says good bye to two of its volunteers. Danielle, from Germany, has been with has for 3 months and has been a valuable pair of extra hands in the playroom, helping with feeding, changing and loving our children. Zoe Lee, a professional nurse from the UK, has spent a year with ThembaCare (as well as other Thembalitsha projects) and has been invaluable in her organisation of donations, caregiver training, experience and “filling in the gaps” around ThembaCare, amongst many other things. We will miss them both and are very grateful for the time and care they brought to ThembaCare.

As Christmas approaches many people want to donate to ThembaCare but don’t know what to give, although we appreciate every donation we receive we do have some specific needs. Currently we have a specific need for the following: grass cutter, tool box, hair shaver, medium sized pots, plastic water jugs with lids, paint and brushes to repaint the wooden jungle gym, children’s bowls and spoons, baby floor/mat gym and baby donut cushions. For a list of basic supply needs please contact Amanda@thembalitsha.org.za