Thus far, our new monthly teacher training schedule has looked at various barriers which can affect a child’s ability to learn. Topics we have explored include dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, FAS (Foetal Alcohol Syndrome) as well as the emotional and social factors which can affect children.  Rather than solely have Danica (our curriculum developer) give out information about these subjects, the teachers are able to think about the situations on their own farms and brainstorm with the other teachers as to the best way to manage these hurdles.  The ladies ask questions about the best practices in which to solve specific situations and with Danica’s guidance the women leave the training sessions armed with new wisdom and a  self-assurance which they can take back to the after-school clubs as well as their own homes.

Over the past few months our 3 R’s teachers have grown a lot closer to one another and the monthly training mornings have become a wonderful way for the ladies (and gent) to share their ideas and tell their stories to one another.  In addition to this support, our project managers visit the farms on a weekly basis so that any problems or queries can be sorted out immediately.  Danica also continues with her regular farm visits to assist with all the teacher’s questions regarding education and our curriculum. 

On 9 August the Anna Foundation children congregated in Plein Street, Stellenbosch for the start of the Totalsports Ladies’ Race in celebration of Women’s Day.  Even the cold weather couldn’t stop the children from enjoying the event as they stood huddled in the pouring rain singing Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika at the top of their voices.  Once underway, the initial start of the race was slow due to the number of runners taking part but the children managed to bob and weave under the elbows of the taller competitors to break away and find a pace with which they were comfortable and many Anna Foundation children finished their 5kms in an impressive time. The children had the opportunity to have their faces painted while waiting for Pop Idol, Jody Williams to take to the stage.  The kids had been waiting in anticipation for her performance the whole week and everyone quickly thawed as they danced and sang to her greatest hits.  The Anna Foundation children thoroughly enjoy their monthly fun run as they try for a new ‘personal best’ each time, and interaction with the public provides an opportunity to grow their self confidence and practice good manners.  

Congratulations to Top Events for holding such a successful event and for providing the entries for the Anna Foundation children. Thank you to Timberlea Farm for donating fruit for the children to enjoy after the run.

Over the past month, volunteers Quinton Stone and Hans Menck have visited the farms to teach our children the basics of golf and karate.  Rural children are not normally exposed to these sports and although they are familiar with seeing golf on TV or watching a karate movie, they now have an understanding of the games and a greater respect for the skills required in order to excel in these sports. 

The introduction to the golf lesson began with the children standing well apart from one another and being paired with the appropriate-sized golf club, which was for the best as their automatic reaction was to imitate the pros and swing the clubs around!  The teachers quickly stepped in and the children were instructed to lay the clubs on the ground while Quinton demonstrated the correct way to hold the club followed by the golf swing.  While learning various correct golfing techniques, the children were just itching to hit the ball when finally that moment arrived and they lined up and put into practice all that they had been taught.  Some of them showed natural talent and struck the ball with ease while others looked as though they were trying to dig a hole or crack open an egg!  Whatever the level of skill, the children thoroughly enjoyed their golfing lesson and were overjoyed when Quinton left them a few golf clubs so that they could practice on their own.

The karate lesson was given by Hans Menck, a volunteer who specializes in martial arts. The children were shown how to defend themselves by learning a variety of different karate kicks and despite it being a serious lesson, the children’s faces beamed as they practiced with their mates and giggles were heard all around.  Hans also focused on upper body strength and the children worked on their cartwheels and handstands under their instructor’s watchful eye. Before leaving, Hans challenged the children to learn to walk on their hands which immediately turned into a contest for the girls to outdo the boys but does that surprise you?!  

Thank you to both these volunteers for taking the time to make a difference to these children’s lives.

Last month we told you that we are now a beneficiary of Wines with heart - and now, we even have our own special case of wine: The Anna Foundation Selection!

The Anna Foundation case consists of 3 medium bodied whites and 3 medium bodied reds. The selection is hand chosen and a good representation of SA best wine farms is available for you to buy online for R225.00. From every case sold, R45 per case will be donated to the Anna Foundation.

You may be asking "But what is Wines with Heart and how does it work?"
Wines with heart collects wines generously donated by wine farms in the region, repackages them into mixed mystery boxes of 6 bottles and then sells them on to customers. The boxes are delivered straight to your door at no additional cost. What a great gift idea because you can choose to purchase a once-off case, or subscribe to receive your mystery case monthly. 

To make things even easier, you can simply click here for an order form. It already has our special code (anna1) appearing on it which means that the proceeds will automatially go to the Anna Foundation!  If you go to http://www.wineswithheart.org/ you will see other wine products which you can purchase but please make sure you quote "anna1" if you would like to choose us as your choice of charity.   

On Friday 6 August thirty-two eager children climbed aboard Simonsig’s truck and were taken to the Golden Yolk Egg Farm in Agter Paarl.  On arrival, they were immediately made to feel welcome by the farm staff who gave them the freedom to explore. 

The children were shown the pack store and saw exactly how the eggs are sorted and packaged before being sent to the supermarket shelves for purchase.  Mouths were agape when they saw the double yolks inside the Jumbo eggs not to mention the massive walk-in refrigerator!  The children were alble to see the chicken feeders housing the thousands of chickens and were highly fascinated by the massive egg production and overall operation of the farm.  Before leaving, each child was handed their own Jumbo-sized egg to take home and a few lucky children discovered that theirs held not two but three yolks!

Thank you to Christiaan Serfontein and staff from Golden Yolk for your hospitality and for organising the highly enlightening tour.