An exciting 2013

It's a brand new year and Sinakho has had some exciting developments in 2013. It's been too long since we last posted anything and there's lots of news to share. We've taken on three new employees at the Centre - a new cleaning attendant, a social worker and a psychologist all the way from Spain. We were also lucky enough to get a number of new children who enrolled in the Day Care as well. In January local nurses came to the Centre to immunise our children and we've recently developed a psychologist/mothers support group which is proving very beneficial. This year looks set to be a successful one and we're excited to celebrate our birthday on 10 April - we will be turning one!

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

On the 3rd of December Sinakho will be celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Be sure to visit our blog to find out what we've got in store, but in the mean time you can find out more about this special day here.

Another donation!

Our caregivers and children with Michelle (far right)

Sinakho seems to be lucky in the month of November. After receiving R2000 from Chantelle Reynolds, we received a further donation from Michelle Perrow, founder of the advertising agency Lesoba Difference. Michelle was kind enough to buy the children a few toys, some greatly needed towels and an inflatable pool! Now the children can really start to get into the summer spirit. Thank you Michelle!

A generous helping hand

Sinakho was lucky enough to receive a donation of R2000 from Chantelle Reynolds, who raised this money through a Tots play group her daughter attends overseas. She is the daughter of DA member Les Reynolds, who recently donated a tree to our Centre on Arbor Day. Thank you Chantelle and the Reynolds family!

Toronto Star comes to Sinakho

Sinakho was lucky enough to have foreign affairs writer Bill Schiller from the Toronto Star come pay us a visit. Here he stands alongside Sinakho coordinator Millicent and her daughter Hlanganani, as well as Save Our Schools representatives Xolile Madinda (far left) and Lomalanga Mkhize. Photo by Richard Lautens from the Toronto Star.

Our biggest contributor

Sinakho would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Rob Beer of Beer Properties who has been our main financier and has contributed to the building and maintenance of the Day Care since it's opening this year. We would not be where we are without his support or the support of his family. Thank you again!

Rob Beer and his family at the Day Care

Sinakho attends a low vision workshop in Port Elizabeth

On 27 September Sinakho coordinator Millicent and one of our caregivers Mama Papu attended a low vision workshop hosted by Ann Heard and held at St Georges Hospital in Port Elizabeth. Heard "is the founder of the Unica School in Pretoria, founder of Autism Northern Gauteng and Autism South Africa.  She also has 25 years teaching children with special needs both in the UK and in South Africa" (Autism Eastern Cape). Find out more about the workshop here.

Below are Millicent (left), Assocaition for People with Disabilities's (APD) Agata Runowicz (centre in red skirt) and Mama Papu.

Sinakho coordinator, Millicent