Non-profit organisation Botshabelo looks back at a successful year.
The organisation’s managing director Michelle Hinrichsen said, “This year has been different for us as we have stretched further into KwaZulu-Natal’s Bergview region, training preschool teachers in that area. The women there are hungry for knowledge and skills to teach their children better. We impacted 40 teachers and 920 preschoolers.”
She said that the year was filled with successes which included nine adoptions and 11 children accepted into their home. The organisation also saw 34 children graduating from Grade R to primary school and 160 women empowered by their preschool teaching programme.
“These are not just numbers to us but stories of hope and transformation in our community. We have faced fundraising challenges as the economic climate in South Africa has been tumultuous, however, we have continued to experience the generosity and kindness of our community. We are so grateful!
“We are grateful to a wide and varied community of supporters – from school fee sponsors to Adopt-a-Cot donors. We thank the individuals that sacrifice monthly to support our work, and the companies that mobilise their staff and finances to impact our community.”
Hinrichsen added, “Corporate partners like Fedgroup that come alongside us and invest heavily into all our programmes, including our solar project, are incredible. We would also like to thank and honour our volunteers, those from Germany, the UK and Australia, as well as those from around Midrand and Fourways, each volunteer strengthens us.”
The organisation will be celebrating their 20th birthday in 2020 with a big day bash scheduled for 4 April next year.
Botshabelo’s Christmas wish list includes:
- Wooden toys, board books and sandpit toys for their five toddlers
- Teething rings and toys of strong washable plastic of their three babies
- Clothing for newborns to three-year-olds
- Ceiling fans for their dining rooms and three bedrooms
- A paper shredder for their office
- Mobiles for the changing tables.
Residents interested in supporting the organisation can contact them at office@botshabelo.co.za
Details: www.botshabelo.co.za
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