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Cathedral Showers for Refugees
On Friday 23rd May, 2008 at 5.15 a.m. the Rotary Club of Durban Umhlatuzana was galvanised into an entirely new project! A project to do what Rotaians do…. Share what they have and what they can do for the community, especially in a crisis! And we had a humanitarian crisis on our doorstep. The horrible Xenophobic violence spelling out man's inhumanity to man! The Refugee centre at the Cathedral suddenly had to cope with 150 refugees for which they were not prepared. By 12.30 p.m. we had raised R1,950 in cash, bought R462.00 worth of meat and groceries, arranged for the raw materials to be bought, cooked and distributed to the refugees. This was done just in time for those Rotarians to dash to the I.C.C. and register for the conference, while those that were not able to go to conference continued with the supply chain. More refugees arrived and were housed in the hall and offices at the centre and, as the numbers increased, so we managed to provide whatever we could get together to help. Our Rotary friends gave generously and have continued to give, give, give. Thursday 29th and we are still working on the crisis project! After a very late breakfast, eaten only by part of the club after an al fresco meeting, we received a call from St Olav Church in St Thomas Road that we could collect some bales of blankets, many packets of beanies and scarves, that had been donated by one of their parisheners. This very generous donation filled to overflowing two cars! When we delivered this donation, we were told that there were now 435 refugees, the corporation had set up 4 porti-loos and that they were short of space, no more room at that inn! However, those people had only ONE bathroom!.... The parish priest had arranged for the refugees to draw water for washing from the Cathedral taps. There were no basins or buckets to use to bathe and clean themselves. What would make it possible for the 450 to wash themselves? What about buckets or dishes or basins? Again we could come to the party. A quick dash to the Just Plastic shop at the Value centre, some pleading and bargaining and we were able to deliver 50 x 20 lit. plastic buckets with lids to the Refugee Centre. However, there are women and men refugees and no way to give any privacy while they were washing/bathing. What a wonderful background, guiding had provided us. We remembered that on guide camps we had erected screens for washing and even showering at camp, by using 5 poles and some hessian and strong string. Idea! Get the scout movement involved to help with our community project. Off to the scout headquarters and presto! Scouts would be delighted to take on the erection of screens IF we could supply the materials. Once more into the breach came a Rotarian and Wally Pelser, who had NOT been a scout and had no idea what was required, agreed to source the poles and not hessian, but “builders’ plastic. Another friend of ours volunteered to pay for the materials and the scouts even found a drawing of dimensions and concept of the screen which they sent by fax direct to Wally! What a blessing the electronic age has been. We are in business again! Add to all this team and networking, the fact that the chief scout works for Netcare and has promised that if push comes to shove, Netcare would put up the screens! All we need now is a way to elasticise the walls of the buildings at the Refugee Centre so that they can house even more folk. This last isn’t a serious wish, but just a bit of silly fun someone suggested to provide some light relief to a crisis situation with which Rotary has again been able to lend a hand! Until the inter religious forum give us a request to direct our efforts to somewhere else, we will continue to do what we can to help with the Cathedral Centre which first became an Umhlatuzana project before Christmas, 2007.





Bongimfundo Project: Handover of 2 computers, Bokomo foods and Awards at the Bongimfundo School, Zinkwazi

Ambassadorial Scholar Valerie Adams helps learners receive rolls at Bongimfundo Computer Handover	Bongimfundo Principal staff Rtn Gary Galanos PP Richard Naidoo	Linda Russell receives award from PP Richard Naidoo and Rtn Gary Galanos

Rotarians Durban Umhlatuzana Bongimfundo Handover Computers 31May08	Rotarians support Bongimfundo School Computer Handover31May2008	Senior Choir Bongimfundo School give thanks

Rtn Dumisani Ndlela motivates learners at Bongimfundo Computer handover
Talk English - Book hand-over
Club members experienced a warm welcome when they met on Saturday the 2nd February 2008 with teachers and pupils of Addington School to hand over books as part of our "Talk-English" project - an initiative to teach English to refugees.


Rotary Club of Durban Umhlatuzana Zimbabwe Refugee project October – December 2007
With the ever-worsening crisis in Zimbabwe and the constant flood of refugees across the border into South Africa the Rotary Club of Durban Umhlatuzana decided to do what it could for the refugees coming to and currently in Durban. A Golf Day was organised at Royal Durban in October 2007 by Rotarians: Alistair Abell, Lauren Adams and Wally Pelser and R 31,000 was raised of which R16,000 was allocated to the refugee project. Rotarian Pat Rickard identified the Anglican Cathedral refugee centre in Durban as a needy recipient. After a visit by members of the club to consider the refugee centre a pressing need was seen for the club to provide sewing equipment and material to the refugee centre to supplement and considerably improve an existing project which provides school uniforms to refugee children at numerous schools in the Durban Area. Rotarian KG Govender then organised for the purchase of a hardy industrial sewing machine and overlocker as well as the donation of some electric scissors and Rotarian Pat Rickard sourced material at cost and by December 2007 we were able to complete the hand over in December to some very pleased and eager to get going Refugees. This project was notable for how quickly the funds were raised and for the rapid assessment and implementation by the club of the project's goals!

High School teacher Hupenyu Makucha (Zimbabwe), Chairperson Ladislas Nduwayezu (Burundi)	Rotarian KG Govender, Rotarian Alistair Abell, Hupenyu Makucha, Antonia Zandile Cele, Emile Nkunzimana, Rotarian Andre Potgieter and Rotarian Pat Rickard	Rotarian Alistair Abell with the materials

One of the many little people who will benefit from the project	The sewing machine	The overlocker

EarlyAct Club
Groundwork to start an EarlyAct Club commenced in July and August during which time we identified Chelsea Preparatory School as the ideal candidate and we scheduled a meeting with Clive Nel, the school Principal. We spoke to Kenny Abraham of the Durban North Rotary Club, and it was decided that a collaborative effort between our two clubs would be in the offing in establishing this EarlyAct Club. Preparatory work took place during September and October and we received the District EarlyAct guidelines from Annette Van Bergen. The preliminary meeting was held at Chelsea on the 15th of October with Annette Van Bergen (District EarlyAct convener) and Denise Brook (Head teacher, EarlyAct Club of St.Catherines in Empangeni), as well as several Rotary members in attendance. The meeting was a great success and we are now well on the way to starting the club at the beginning of 2008. Induction will take place during the school assembly early in 2008. The school has fully embraced the project and the head teacher in charge of the project is Julie Burger, with the assistance of Carin Vosloo, a Rotarian at the school. The school Principal, Clive Nel, and Deputy Principal, Penny Alston, and the EarlyAct Club, together with Rotary Club, will ensure that preparations are ongoing. A gavel has been produced by Rotarian Denzil Goodhead and the the Rotary Club of Durban Umhlatuzana, together with the Rotary Club of Durban North is to provide a start-up fund for the new EarlyAct Club, to be administered by the school, with most funding done by the EarlyActors themselves. Chelsea has some current projects which they are doing and they will merely incorporate these into the EarlyAct Club. Office bearers have already been elected: PRESIDENT: Dominique Ducray (Grade 7) VICE-PRESIDENT (1): Nicole Pallet (Grade 7) VICE-PRESIDENT (2): Ashleigh Winter (Grade 6) TREASURER: Claire Yarde Leavett (Grade 7) SECRETARY (1): Sarah Amod (Grade 6) SECRETARY (2): Siobhan Van Der Vyver (Grade 6) Rotarian Gary Galanos was instrumental in facilitating the liaison between the InterAct Clubs and Rotaract in terms of sharing projects and encouraging new people to join Rotaract. Grant Deetlefs, the Rotaract coordinator was contacted and the Rotaract Clubs put together a PowerPoint presentation and handouts. The meeting took place between the 3 Rotaract clubs (Durban North, Durban and High Noon)and our two Interact Clubs on the 3rd of October. Northlands agreed to host the event and their Interact teacher, Natalie Harridene, organized the venue and catering. The establishment of the EarlyAct Club has been very successful and informative. We have established vital links and will be sharing projects in the future.

Umvoti AIDS Centre Handover - Greytown, Saturday 18 August 2007
The Milk from Wine funds were raised by giving a bottle of Meerlust Rubicon to visiting Rotarian, Omund Revhaug from the Rotary Club of Brevik, Norway in District 2290. Rotarian Omund paid our Club a visit on Thursday morning, 15 February 2007 at a breakfast meeting. After an exchange of Rotary Club banners, Rotarian Omund was delighted to accept a bottle of wine and promised to send us the proceeds once the wine had been auctioned in orway. Imagine our delight when we received an email from Omund advising that the Rotary Club of Brevik had raised a substantial amount of funds which would go to our Milk from Wine project. To date our Club's Milk from Wine project has raised thousands of rands for worthy causes and we are happy to partner with the Rotary Club of Greytown and help projects such as the Umvoti AIDS Centre. Greytown Rotarians hosted our group of 10 Rotarians and family members to a braai at CAME Farm which belongs to President Tony Dutton and Past President Joan Dutton. We look forward to ongoing shared projects in realising the theme of Rotary Shares for our 2007/2008 Rotary Year.

The 3rd homestead part of the Umvoti AIDS Centre project visited with Greytown Rotary Club members. This family of children, who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS will benefit by receiving food parcels through our Club's donation in conjunction with the RC of Brevik, Norway	Left to right: Rotarian Philani Madi, Deputy Director of Umvoti AIDS Centre, President of Greytown Rotary Club, Tony Dutton, President of Rotary Club of Durban Umhlatuzana, Francesco Petruccione and in front Andile Nkomo, Home based carer of the Umvoti AIDS Centre	A fine line-up of Rotarians, left to right: PP Richard Naidoo, PP Joan Dutton, Rotarian Philani Madi, Rotarian Dumisani Ndlela, Home based carer Andile Nkomo, President Tony Dutton, President Francesco Petruccione, PP Pat Rickard, Rotarian KG Govender and Rotarian Gary Galanos
RE-LAUNCH OF KWADABEKA COMFORT CENTRE, Wed 8 August 2007
The re-launch of the KwaDabeka Comfort Centre on Wednesday 8 August 2007 at the Clermont KwaDabeka Police Station is especially significant as August is Women’s Month in South Africa. This auspicious day in our annual calendar is a celebration of women. The Rotary Club of Durban Umhlatuzana in District 9270 is proud to support this initiative through the securing of a matching grant with the Rotary Club of New Forrest, United Kingdom. The six women volunteers led by Miss Londiwe Ntombela at the KwaDabeka Comfort Centre, all play a vital role in helping members of the Clermont KwaDabeka community in finding the much needed support they seek. Contact Londiwe on 031 707 1361. We would like to thank our sponsors, Key Hire Pinetown and Boxer Supermarket Pinetown for their generous sponsorship at the re-launch. A braai was held at Clermont KwaDabeka Police Station at which Ward Councillors, members of the SAPS, Church leaders and Educators were present. The success of a centre depends heavily on cooperation with the staff of the police station. Given mutual respect and support, it is a win – win situation with the lot of victims improving considerably. We are particularly fortunate to have Rotarian Dumisani Ndlela, who lives nearby, as a member of our Rotary Club of Durban Umhlatuzana. Dumisani’s contact with local residents, Councillors, Church leaders and School principals is proving invaluable. This is our Club’s 2 nd Trauma Centre launch, we have funding to establish a 3 rd trauma centre thanks to the sterling efforts of Past President Denzil Goodhead.

KwaDabeka Conference	Rotarian Dumisani Ndlela	President Francesco Petruccione with the sponsors, Boxer Supermarket

Talk English

TALK ENGLISH: HANDOVER/DONATION OF STATIONERY ON SATURDAY, THE 12 TH OF MAY 2007

52 schoolbags, each one with a ruler and pen with the Rotary International emblem, Club name and the 4-way test, as well as a notepad, were handed over to the Talk English initiative at Addington Primary School in Durban on Saturday, the 12 th of May 2007.
Gary Galanos, the Director of Club Vocational Services was at the school to donate the schoolbags, together with Rotarian Thomas Konrad who took the photographs and video footage.
The schoolbags are part of a donation of 500 such bags, given to the Club by the Church of Latter Day Saints to distribute to worthy educationally-based projects.
Talk English has little available funding, and the teaching of English to refugees/expats is done by dedicated volunteers, headed up by Julie Douglas, who give of their time to teach English every Saturday from 9.00am to 12.00pm. There are certainly no funds available to purchase basic stationery for the students.
The bags, with the stationery, were very well received.
Insight was gained by Gar and Thomas as to how teaching and communication takes place in the classes, which are organized and well-structured. It was amazing to see the extent to which students who had only enrolled in February had already come to grips with the rudiments of the English language and could communicate with the teachers in basic, yet effective English.
It is hoped that the Rotary Club of Durban Umhlatuzana will continue to support this worthy cause.

VIEW THE TALK ENGLISH MOVIE CLIP

School Bag Project - May 2007

Zulu Roots Eco Route Two years ago we saw the birth of Zulu Roots Eco Route . Since then a lot has happened behind the sceens to develop a tourism route for the North Coast. The route includes a Birding route, Historical - and a Cross-Cultural route. The Birding route has been endorsed by Birdlife South Africa and we are in the process of sourcing potential guides for the route. Zulu Roots Eco Route adopted the Bongimfundo Primary School as part of the route's development project. Various local and overseas groups have been to the school as part of their visit to the area. By exposing the learners to these groups they are given the opportunity to interact with people from different cultures and different walks of life. This proves beneficial to both learners and visitors. One such group was the University of Arkansas - USA. The University's summer program is called "The Political, Social, and Natural History of South Africa," directed by Charles Adams, Professor of English, and Peter Ungar, Professor of Anthropology. The students from the 2006 program very much enjoyed meeting the learners at Bongimfundo and were pleased to be able to support their education by helping to provide needed educational materials. Two great American friends of Africa have been members of the faculty of the University of Arkansas -- Senator J. William Fulbright, founder of the Fulbright International Educational Exchange Program, and President Bill Clinton. The faculty and students of the South Africa Summer Program are proud to carry on their legacy of friendship and support for South Africa. The students at Washington Elementary School in Fayetteville, Arkansas, are also proud to be able to help Bongimfundo's students. The school is very close to the campus of the University of Arkansas and many of the children are from families affiliated with the university. The students involved in the effort to support Bongimfundo are in the 2nd through the 5th grades (ages 7-10). Upon the initiative of a counsellor at the school, Tara Lechtenberger, the school included a unit on South Africa just before Christmas and encouraged the students to help their South African fellow learners acquire the supplies they need to continue their education. The students, teachers, and parents look forward to a continuing relationship with Bongimfundo. Back in the USA they started a fundraising project. Together they raised enough funds that we are able to hand over the backpacks and essential stationery presented to the school today. Students in the 2007 program will also spend a day with the Bongimfundo students, continuing the relationship established last year. We are also privileged to have the Durban Umhlatuzana Rotary Club, represented by Wally Pelser and other members here to hand over some much needed educational items to the learners. The goodwill of these Rotarians comes alive in the education of our learners. From Zulu Roots Eco Route committee, the Bongimfundo School's Principal, staff, Governing Body and parents, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Sponsors. You may rest with the knowledge that your donations enable us make a difference in the education of these rural learners. Bongimfundo Primary School Bongimfundo = Thanks to Education J. SCHMIDT ESTATE Zinkwazi District The school first opened its doors for learning by Mrs L. Schmidt, the wife of Mr F.S.J Schmidt. Schooling was done in the evenings in the kitchen of the Schmidt household. When the number of learners increased, a small corrugated iron classroom was built adjacent to the present household. In 1940 the first proper classroom was built at the present school site. As the enrollment increased another classroom was built in 1949. The school’s first teacher was Mr Volker, an evangelist from the Hermansburg Mission Society. The school was then called Bangisizungu Gov Aided Native School. By 1968 the enrollment had increased to such an extent that additional classes had to be built. It was then that the department of Education and Training took the responsibility of providing educators and paying for their salaries. The general upkeep and maintenance was still the responsibility of the farmer. In 1987 there was a name change to Bongimfundo Primary School. Mr P Ramgathi, was appointed to this school in July 1997 as principal and he has been working hard ever since to raise the standards at the school. By 2006 a lease agreement came into place between the farm owner and the Department of Education. The school has a current enrollment of 120 learners and is staffed with one principal and four Educators, catering for grade R to seven. The Educators : Mr P Ramgathi (Principal), Miss N R Maphalala, Mrs P S Sibiya, Miss T Msomi, Miss N C Cindi The school takes part in various Inter Ward activities which includes Cultural Song and Dance, Quiz Competitions, Soccer and Cross Country Running. In Soccer two players from the school were selected to represent the District last year and six Cross Country Runners also. During recent Health Awareness campaign competitions, the school achieved outstanding results by winning all the categories in their ward. The Principal and staff have a close relationship with other Government Departments like Dept. of Health, Dept. of Home Affairs and Dept. of Social Services to provide a holistic approach to the well being of all the learner's needs. The school has it's own vegetable gardens that are maintained by the learners as part of the curriculum, and the vegetables are used as part of the school's feeding scheme, providing each learner with a nutritionally balanced meal once a day. Another area within the grounds is set aside for members of the community to use as vegetable patches in return for the safekeeping of the school property. Efforts, contributions and sacrifices made the farm owner and manager, Mr. Rudolf Dittrich, from the time of inception to date have to be applauded. The larger community/sponsors need to be recognized and complimented for their contributions made towards the school. About 18 months ago the local Tourism Forum called Zulu Roots Eco Route, with it's office at Zinkwazi Lagoon Lodge, set out to include the school as one of their development projects. This resulted in various groups visiting the school. By exposing the learners to these groups they are given the opportunity to interact with people from different cultures and different walks of life. This proves beneficial to both learners and visitors.

Milk from Wine
	Rotarian Walter Burton of the Rotary Club of West Linton Edinburgh donating monies raised from the bottle of wine for our HIV/AIDS Orphanage, Ithemba Lethu on 15 February 2007 at our Club meeting.
Business Against Crime
	DGE Richard, DG Gerald P, President Preggie, Rotarian Kelvin - 15 February 2007
Talk English
	TALK ENGLISH: Functional English for French-Speaking Refugees in South Africa
A few weeks ago our Rotary Club had the pleasure of handing over educational aids and stationery to Talk English thanks to the generosity of Rotarian Ray Levenberg of the Rotary Club of Bedfordview. Rotarian Gary Galanos drove this donation assisted by Past President Pat Rickard and Past President Monique Labat. Guest speakers, Julie Douglas, Kyla Calder and Greta Schuler also attended our Breakfast meeting to share their Talk English initiative. Introduction The TALKENGLISH project started in August 2005 by two CELTA-trained TEFL teachers who offered several weeks of free English lessons to a small group of French-speaking refugees from Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It has since developed in response to the demand for lessons. Currently 11 volunteers teach four groups of students from beginner to intermediate levels. More than 60 students are registered and each week we enrol several new students. We believe the project is valuable, because refugees are taught to communicate in English, which is essential for their survival in South Africa. Most are well-educated professionals with skills that could be useful for South African development. Learning to communicate in English will help find employment here and in their own country when they are repatriated. Also the classes provide a social rallying point for traumatised, demoralised and isolated people, and a safe space for them to support and advise each other. In addition, the courses we are developing could provide a basis for teaching English communication to other groups in South Africa who want or need to improve their competence in English. Once the refugees acquire functional English, they are in a better position to offer their skills to this country. Better-integrated refugees would help to reduce xenophobia, a critical and increasing problem in South Africa. Background and Story In mid-2005 Julie Douglas was conducting research at Addington Primary School in Durban, South Africa, and learned that 160 learners were refugees, mostly from DRC. The principal of the school, Gail Theunissen, told how refugee children in South African schools quickly become competent English speakers, but their parents have little opportunity to learn English. Often children act as interpreters between teachers and their non-English speaking parents. Julie subsequently trained as a CELTA teacher (Certificate in English Language Teaching for Adults, Cambridge University). The CELTA trainees practiced teaching English through free lessons offered for a month to a group of 20 French-speaking refugees from DRC, most living in the Addington area, some with children at the school. Many were well-educated and the group included two doctors, four nurses, several teachers, two engineers, a computer programmer, medical and engineering students and a statistician, all unable to work in their professions due to lack of English. Some were working as car and security guards. Currently 11 teachers are involved and Talk English has registered over 60 students, ranging in age from 20 to 79, mainly from DRC, with several from Rwanda, Tanzania and Mozambique. The 3 hour-long Saturday morning classes are extremely effective and popular. Each group is led by a CELTA-trained teacher, assisted by a recent trainee, or teacher who wants to learn the CELTA approach. The course focuses on the day-to-day life and needs of students and takes them from beginner English to an intermediate level in a year. Later in 2006 Talk English plans to offer extra English classes for academic, medical, scientific and commercial purposes. The teachers are experienced and qualified to teach academic English to students who want to complete interrupted studies or study further, as well as English for specific purposes to those seeking SAQA accreditation. How can you help? The Rotary Club of Durban Umhlatuzana is now looking at providing French to English dictionaries and supplies of stationery would also be most welcome. Anyone able to assist is asked to contact: Gary Galanos, Email: garygalanos@telkomsa.net or Monique Labat, monique.labat@tradepointdurban.org
Rotareach Aids Awareness Project
Read about it

Zulu Roots Eco Route

Two years ago we saw the birth of Zulu Roots Eco Route . Since then a lot has happened behind the sceens to develop a tourism route for the North Coast. The route includes a Birding route, Historical - and a Cross-Cultural route. The Birding route has been endorsed by Birdlife South Africa and we are in the process of sourcing potential guides for the route.

Zulu Roots Eco Route adopted the Bongimfundo Primary School as part of the route's development project. Various local and overseas groups have been to the school as part of their visit to the area. By exposing the learners to these groups they are given the opportunity to interact with people from different cultures and different walks of life. This proves beneficial to both learners and visitors.

One such group was the University of Arkansas - USA. The University's summer program is called "The Political, Social, and Natural History of South Africa," directed by Charles Adams, Professor of English, and Peter Ungar, Professor of Anthropology. The students from the 2006 program very much enjoyed meeting the learners at Bongimfundo and were pleased to be able to support their education by helping to provide needed educational materials.

Two great American friends of Africa have been members of the faculty of the University of Arkansas -- Senator J. William Fulbright, founder of the Fulbright International Educational Exchange Program, and President Bill Clinton. The faculty and students of the South Africa Summer Program are proud to carry on their legacy of friendship and support for South Africa.

The students at Washington Elementary School in Fayetteville, Arkansas, are also proud to be able to help Bongimfundo's students. The school is very close to the campus of the University of Arkansas and many of the children are from families affiliated with the university. The students involved in the effort to support Bongimfundo are in the 2nd through the 5th grades (ages 7-10). Upon the initiative of a counsellor at the school, Tara Lechtenberger, the school included a unit on South Africa just before Christmas and encouraged the students to help their South African fellow learners acquire the supplies they need to continue their education. The students, teachers, and parents look forward to a continuing relationship with Bongimfundo.

Back in the USA they started a fundraising project. Together they raised enough funds that we are able to hand over the backpacks and essential stationery presented to the school today. Students in the 2007 program will also spend a day with the Bongimfundo students, continuing the relationship established last year.

We are also privileged to have the Durban Umhlatuzana Rotary Club, represented by Wally Pelser and other members here to hand over some much needed educational items to the learners. The goodwill of these Rotarians comes alive in the education of our learners.

From Zulu Roots Eco Route committee, the Bongimfundo School's Principal, staff, Governing Body and parents, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Sponsors. You may rest with the knowledge that your donations enable us make a difference in the education of these rural learners.

Bongimfundo Primary School

Bongimfundo = Thanks to Education

J. SCHMIDT ESTATE

Zinkwazi District

The school first opened its doors for learning by Mrs L. Schmidt, the wife of Mr F.S.J Schmidt. Schooling was done in the evenings in the kitchen of the Schmidt household. When the number of learners increased, a small corrugated iron classroom was built adjacent to the present household.

In 1940 the first proper classroom was built at the present school site. As the enrollment increased another classroom was built in 1949.

The school’s first teacher was Mr Volker, an evangelist from the Hermansburg Mission Society. The school was then called Bangisizungu Gov Aided Native School.

By 1968 the enrollment had increased to such an extent that additional classes had to be built. It was then that the department of Education and Training took the responsibility of providing educators and paying for their salaries.

The general upkeep and maintenance was still the responsibility of the farmer.

In 1987 there was a name change to Bongimfundo Primary School. Mr P Ramgathi, was appointed to this school in July 1997 as principal and he has been working hard ever since to raise the standards at the school.

By 2006 a lease agreement came into place between the farm owner and the Department of Education.

The school has a current enrollment of 120 learners and is staffed with one principal and four Educators, catering for grade R to seven.

The Educators : Mr P Ramgathi (Principal), Miss N R Maphalala, Mrs P S Sibiya, Miss T Msomi, Miss N C Cindi

The school takes part in various Inter Ward activities which includes Cultural Song and Dance, Quiz Competitions, Soccer and Cross Country Running. In Soccer two players from the school were selected to represent the District last year and six Cross Country Runners also. During recent Health Awareness campaign competitions, the school achieved outstanding results by winning all the categories in their ward.

The Principal and staff have a close relationship with other Government Departments like Dept. of Health, Dept. of Home Affairs and Dept. of Social Services to provide a holistic approach to the well being of all the learner's needs.

The school has it's own vegetable gardens that are maintained by the learners as part of the curriculum, and the vegetables are used as part of the school's feeding scheme, providing each learner with a nutritionally balanced meal once a day. Another area within the grounds is set aside for members of the community to use as vegetable patches in return for the safekeeping of the school property.

Efforts, contributions and sacrifices made the farm owner and manager, Mr. Rudolf Dittrich, from the time of inception to date have to be applauded. The larger community/sponsors need to be recognized and complimented for their contributions made towards the school.

About 18 months ago the local Tourism Forum called Zulu Roots Eco Route, with it's office at Zinkwazi Lagoon Lodge, set out to include the school as one of their development projects. This resulted in various groups visiting the school. By exposing the learners to these groups they are given the opportunity to interact with people from different cultures and different walks of life. This proves beneficial to both learners and visitors.

Milk from Wine

Rotarian Walter Burton of the
Rotary Club of West Linton Edinburgh donating monies raised from the bottle of
wine for our HIV/AIDS Orphanage, Ithemba Lethu on 15 February 2007 at
our Club meeting.

Business Against Crime

DGE Richard, DG Gerald P, President Preggie, Rotarian Kelvin - 15 February 2007

Talk English

TALK ENGLISH: Functional English for French-Speaking Refugees in South Africa

A few weeks ago our Rotary Club had the pleasure of handing over educational aids and stationery to Talk English thanks to the generosity of Rotarian Ray Levenberg of the Rotary Club of Bedfordview.

Rotarian Gary Galanos drove this donation assisted by Past President Pat Rickard and Past President Monique Labat. Guest speakers, Julie Douglas, Kyla Calder and Greta Schuler also attended our Breakfast meeting to share their Talk English initiative.

Introduction
The TALKENGLISH project started in August 2005 by two CELTA-trained TEFL teachers who offered several weeks of free English lessons to a small group of French-speaking refugees from Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It has since developed in response to the demand for lessons. Currently 11 volunteers teach four groups of students from beginner to intermediate levels. More than 60 students are registered and each week we enrol several new students.

We believe the project is valuable, because refugees are taught to communicate in English, which is essential for their survival in South Africa. Most are well-educated professionals with skills that could be useful for South African development. Learning to communicate in English will help find employment here and in their own country when they are repatriated. Also the classes provide a social rallying point for traumatised, demoralised and isolated people, and a safe space for them to support and advise each other. In addition, the courses we are developing could provide a basis for teaching English communication to other groups in South Africa who want or need to improve their competence in English. Once the refugees acquire functional English, they are in a better position to offer their skills to this country. Better-integrated refugees would help to reduce xenophobia, a critical and increasing problem in South Africa.

Background and Story
In mid-2005 Julie Douglas was conducting research at Addington Primary School in Durban, South Africa, and learned that 160 learners were refugees, mostly from DRC. The principal of the school, Gail Theunissen, told how refugee children in South African schools quickly become competent English speakers, but their parents have little opportunity to learn English. Often children act as interpreters between teachers and their non-English speaking parents.

Julie subsequently trained as a CELTA teacher (Certificate in English Language Teaching for Adults, Cambridge University). The CELTA trainees practiced teaching English through free lessons offered for a month to a group of 20 French-speaking refugees from DRC, most living in the Addington area, some with children at the school. Many were well-educated and the group included two doctors, four nurses, several teachers, two engineers, a computer programmer, medical and engineering students and a statistician, all unable to work in their professions due to lack of English. Some were working as car and security guards.

Currently 11 teachers are involved and Talk English has registered over 60 students, ranging in age from 20 to 79, mainly from DRC, with several from Rwanda, Tanzania and Mozambique.

The 3 hour-long Saturday morning classes are extremely effective and popular. Each group is led by a CELTA-trained teacher, assisted by a recent trainee, or teacher who wants to learn the CELTA approach.

The course focuses on the day-to-day life and needs of students and takes them from beginner English to an intermediate level in a year. Later in 2006 Talk English plans to offer extra English classes for academic, medical, scientific and commercial purposes. The teachers are experienced and qualified to teach academic English to students who want to complete interrupted studies or study further, as well as English for specific purposes to those seeking SAQA accreditation.

How can you help?
The Rotary Club of Durban Umhlatuzana is now looking at providing French to English dictionaries and supplies of stationery would also be most welcome. Anyone able to assist is asked to contact: Gary Galanos, Email: garygalanos@telkomsa.net or Monique Labat, monique.labat@tradepointdurban.org

Rotareach Aids Awareness Project

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Montclair Victim Support Center
During 2005 we worked with Prof Peter Stewart, (a Past President of this Club and now a member of the Rotary Club of New Forrest in southern England) to apply for a matching grant to assist Montclair Victim Support Center. Funding was provided by New Forrest and Verwood Clubs in UK, with help from their District (D 1110). The cash proceeds (R42 000) were received in November 2005. The Center is based at Montclair police station and is manned by volunteers from the community. Volunteers are trained in first aid, counselling techniques, basic criminal law, and how to access social and community services. The center provides an understanding and friendly atmosphere for the volunteers to assist victims of crime, abuse and neglect. Over the 23 months to April 2006 it has handled an average of 21 cases per, month many of which are rape and violent crime cases. The matching grant seeks to improve equipment and facilities as well as the training, travelling and out of pocket costs of the volunteers who do not receive a salary for their time worked. Another matching grant has recently been approved, with the generous help of our colleagues at New Forrest Rotary Club and their fellow clubs, to assist two more Victim Support Centers. We have been pleased to have Past President Peter Stewart visit us and the project at Montclair. We look forward to future visits.

Montclair Victim Support Center

During 2005 we worked with Prof Peter Stewart, (a Past President of this Club and now a member of the Rotary Club of New Forrest in southern England) to apply for a matching grant to assist Montclair Victim Support Center. Funding was provided by New Forrest and Verwood Clubs in UK, with help from their District (D 1110). The cash proceeds (R42 000) were received in November 2005.

The Center is based at Montclair police station and is manned by volunteers from the community. Volunteers are trained in first aid, counselling techniques, basic criminal law, and how to access social and community services. The center provides an understanding and friendly atmosphere for the volunteers to assist victims of crime, abuse and neglect. Over the 23 months to April 2006 it has handled an average of 21 cases per, month many of which are rape and violent crime cases. The matching grant seeks to improve equipment and facilities as well as the training, travelling and out of pocket costs of the volunteers who do not receive a salary for their time worked.

Another matching grant has recently been approved, with the generous help of our colleagues at New Forrest Rotary Club and their fellow clubs, to assist two more Victim Support Centers. We have been pleased to have Past President Peter Stewart visit us and the project at Montclair. We look forward to future visits.

Wheelchair Handover
Media release Rotary Wheelchair handover.doc

Wheelchair Handover

Media release Rotary Wheelchair handover.doc

Wimpy project... The owner of Wimpy North Beach, Gus van Heerden, has very kindly donated 20 complimentary Wimpy meals a month to the residents of the Ray Hulett Old Age Home. A special thanks to Jamie & Rob of C-Major Promotions, who kindly assist each month with transporting the residents to Wimpy North Beach, Durban, for this special outing.

Jamie of C-Major Promotions collecting the Ray Hulett reminders for their Wimpy outing	Everyone enjoying their meal at Wimpy North Beach, Durban