Here are two projects I support and believe in, and where I am confident that donated funds are handled responsibly. I founded The Silindile Trust in 2006 to support the education of a young deaf girl in South Africa and to help lift her family out of poverty. The Pastoral Centre Preschool in Soweto, South Africa, provides nutrition and early childhood education to hundreds of poor children from the informal settlement where the Freedom Charter was signed. The Principal, Pam Mfaxa, is a good friend, and I was on the school's Board for many years.
The Silindile Trust
I created the Silindile Trust, fully registered and established according to law in South Africa, in 2006. The Trust's main purpose is to provide for the education and future of a little girl who is profoundly deaf in both ears and lives in an informal settlement in Soweto, South Africa.
In December 2007 Highveldt Stereo, a Johannesburg radio station, granted a Christmas wish and arranged for a company called Aon to fund Silindi's education through high school, in my late partner Eric's memory. I and the other trustees are so grateful for this generosity. In addition, skydivers from all over the world have contributed to the Trust. Because of them, Silindile and her family are able to eat healthier food and afford some clothing and personal items that would otherwise be out of reach.
Thank you to everyone who continues to believe in the future of South Africa through its children.
Banking Information for Donations:
Bank Name: Standard Bank
Account Holder: Tracy Lee Nagle Trust Account
Branch Name: Killarney
Branch Code: 007205
Account Number: 001645501
REFERENCE: Silindile Trust
SWIFT Code: SBZAZAJJ
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Pastoral Centre Preschool and Creche
The Kliptown community in Soweto has a long history, with the most memorable event being the signing of the Freedom Charter on June 26, 1955, in Kliptown Square. Despite its historical significance, 85 percent of Kliptown residents live in informal settlements, or “squatter camps”. In the Freedom Charter Square informal settlement, also known as Station Squatter Camp (so named because it borders the Kliptown railway station and train tracks), individual outdoor water taps are shared by as many as fifty families, and there is no formal plumbing.
Pastoral Centre Preschool and Creche
The Kliptown community in Soweto has a long history, with the most memorable event being the signing of the Freedom Charter on June 26, 1955, in Kliptown Square. Despite its historical significance, 85 percent of Kliptown residents live in informal settlements, or “squatter camps”. In the Freedom Charter Square informal settlement, also known as Station Squatter Camp (so named because it borders the Kliptown railway station and train tracks), individual outdoor water taps are shared by as many as fifty families, and there is no formal plumbing.
Unemployment is much higher than the 40-50 percent national average. People live in corrugated iron shacks with little privacy from each other and scant protection against the elements: rain in the summer, cold in the winter. Partly due to a combination of these living conditions, domestic abuse, alcoholism, and HIV/AIDS are rampant, putting the community’s youngest children at risk. Families affected by HIV/AIDS in particular have difficulty providing adequate care or opportunities for their children. The economic isolation of the squatter camp makes everything from medical care to education difficult to access for those with no income. There are no health care services, primary, or secondary schools in the immediate area; these are only accessible by public transportation, which is costly at a poverty level and dangerous after dark.
What you can contribute
The Pastoral Centre welcomes donations both in cash and kind from foundations, corporate entities, and concerned individuals. The following are needed:
1. Financial donations are used:
• To cover the large budget gap created by the number of children attending school who cannot pay fees.
• To help individual children and families on the “most needy list,” those who need additional food parcels, and to assist families affected by HIV/AIDS with basic necessities.
• For improving the small playground.
• To send a staff member on a relevant course (First Aid; dealing with child abuse; teaching techniques).
2. Children’s clothes and shoes. Our children are aged 3 months to 6 years, and are always in need of undamaged, good quality play clothes and comfortable shoes. In winter we appreciate donations of warm jackets, hats, gloves/mittens, and jerseys. Adult clothing is distributed to parents.
3. Food and kitchen items. We are always looking for opportunities to receive discounts on staple food items such as mealie meal and rice, as well as once-off donations of perishables such as fruit and vegetables that the children enjoy. Extra-large pots and pans and cutlery for cooking are also appreciated. Snacks like chip packets and candies are appreciated, but are not at the top of our priority list since they do not help with much-needed nutrition.
4. Educational toys and games. Age-appropriate, undamaged toys, games, and books are accepted to heighten the classroom experience. We are particularly interested in large-sized illustrated picture books for story time; puzzles and blocks for children 4-6 years; and art supplies such as paper and paints, crayons, magic markers, and coloring books.
For more information, you may contact Pam Mfaxa, the Principal, directly via email: pam_pastoralcreche@yahoo.com.
Banking Information for Donations:
Bank Name: First National Bank
Account Holder: Pastoral Centre Preschool & Creche
Account Number: 55610020378
Branch Name: Industria
Branch Code: 252805
SWIFT Code: FIRNZAJJ