December News

Finishing strong 

One of the most exciting events happened on the 12^th of November 2014. It was the opening of the new library at Graceland. The first idea of a library at Graceland started with Zoë Lee, however, due to the need of another classroom, we decided to move the library to the loft where our storage was. Thanks to Imperial Managed Logistics this dream was turned into a reality. Imperial Managed Logistics funded the staircase and the renovations to make it safe and beautiful.

Right now the Graceland library is only available for the children who attend Graceland Pre-school but in future we would like to make it available to the Devonvallei Primary School as well.  For now we are working on a system that will allow children to be able take books home and return them after a certain period. However, we will only be able to extend the availability of the library once a proper system is in place to ensure the success of what we are trying to achieve.

We were very honoured to have the Mayor of Stellenbosch, Conrad Sedigo, the Graceland Library opening. He was very touched and honoured to be part of such a great occasion. During the mayor’s speech he became very emotional and recalled the first time he got to experience a library at the age of 14 years old, due to Apartheid in South Africa and libraries only being available to white people. He reminded each one of us of the significance such a library and the value it will add to the community.

As we say goodbye to what seems to be another fruitful year at Graceland, we stand amazed at generous hearts we have encountered this year and we say thank you to every person who have given of their time, in kind, in words and in funds. We are truly grateful and we recognise that without your partnership the great work we do would not be possible. 

The Gracelanders wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Goodbye 2014... And helllo 2015! We are ready for the new adventures, challenges and opportunities 2015 has in store, hope you are ready too;)                                                                                                   

September News!

Graceland Market Day 2014

We are happy to announce that on the 2nd of October 2014 we had our 3rd Market Day at Graceland and it was a great success.

All the parents' crochet pieces who took part in the crochet competition. 

The reason we first started having the market day in 2012 was create a fundraiser that will involve the whole community and to challenge them in their individual capacity to give, while at the same time creating a family fun day that parents can enjoy with their children. We create a space where people can donate old but still nice clothes, shoes, jewellery, odds and end, tuck-shop stock and give towards the games which are presented on the day. Due to the fact that everything is donated we are able to sell everything at a reasonable price and still make one hundred percent profit.

This year we had two jumping castles, domino table, karaoke, face painting, balloon animals, play station games, a colouring in competition, an obstacle course, and five great raffles and on sale we had lots cosmetics and second-hand clothes, jewellery, odds and ends and a fully stocked tuck-shop. We also had a crochet competition going thanks to Rosemary Ruest, one of the farm owners. The event was well supported by the community and the parents. Everyone is still talking about their wonderful time at Graceland and how they can't wait for next year. 

This year was the third year we had our Market day and it just keeps getting better. I would like to give a special thank you to all the farm owners, local businesses, individuals, parents and children who gave in kind, funds, of their time or came to enjoy the day with us, because of you our 2014 Market Day was a great success. We raised R5700, that we wouldn't have been able to do with out each and every one of you. 

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”

Henry Ford

August News

Individually named and packed bags.

"Goodbye", to muddy shoes and "Hello, Wellington Boots!"

Graceland's third term started with a reason to celebrate. Thanks to Imperial Managed Logistics our children are now well prepared for the rain. One of our greatest challenges to get to school in winter is the wetness, muddiness and the rainfall of winter. 

Our noisy wellington boots

During the winter season the attendance rate is 60% because of the rainfall and the fact that children have to walk from their farms to Devon Valley Road to get their transport - for some this could be 300m-500m. We currently have a great partnership with Devon Valley Primary School who allows us to make use of their minibus.

"Hooray!" Shouts the 3-4 year old class.

Our hope is that one day someone will see the need and sponsor Graceland with a minibus that will be able to go into the farms but for now, we have made sure our children don’t have to get soaked walking to the road. 

Thank you Imperial Managed Logistics for your commitment to see all little Gracelanders succeed, you continue to not only give in kind but also of your time. May your staff be as blessed at we are.

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."  Helen Keller

No more running around water puddles..

And no more staying at home!

                 

June News

A Blissful Easter

As Easter approached we wanted to create an Easter experience worth remembering for our little ones. We have long ago realised that what may seem as normal as expecting Easter eggs during the Easter holidays may not be so normal for our children.

So we organised in Easter egg hunt with one of our beloved visitors (Gracelander), Amy Azar, who visits us twice a year from the USA.

Excitement filled the air as the children ran around, eagerly searching for the hidden Easter eggs. It was precious to see them not only finding Easter eggs for themselves but also helping their friends find Easter eggs too. I stood in awe, very proud.

We were so happy to have shared our Easter with Amy Azar. Thank you Amy for always taking time to visit Graceland when you are in South Africa.

We also then partnered with a group of Imperial Managed Logistics staff members who shared our enthusiasm. They took on this task and exceeded our expectations.

With care and love they handcrafted beautiful bags and it had various treats in them, served with a delicious Steri Stumpie (a flavoured milk drink). You think that's cool? Wait for it... They also managed to get the Easter Bunny to come and visit! Well, for some of our two year olds it took a lot of getting use to!

The look on their little faces when they saw the Easter Bunny was priceless. We couldn't get them away form the Easter Bunny. They were too smart for us though, it was not long before they started asking, who is the lady dressed up as the Easter Bunny?

Thank you Imperial Managed Logistics staff members for sharing our enthusiasm and desire to ensure that our children remember their childhood fondly. 

Thank you for helping us to restore hope. 

"Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence.”  -Lin Yutang

April news!

Graceland High Tea 2014

Our High Tea was hosted on the terrace at the luxurious Devon Valley Hotel, surrounded by amazing views filled with natural beauty. The weather played along as jazz vocalist Monique Hellenberg covered the atmosphere with her sultry piano sounds and angelic voice.  

We had fun and laughter as Early Childhood Development specialist, Bonita Daniels Director of the Early Childhood Centre, made us feel like children again with an activity that emphasised the importance of appreciating the work produced by our little ones  regardless of the developmental milestone they are in. As Bonita voiced the cause of the most vulnerable human beings on earth, she brought it down to the basics for everyone to understand and to remind us of the power we have as their leaders, to build them up or break them down.

Devon Valley Hotel did an amazing job with the set up of the tables and chairs, service and catering. We were all spoilt with the most delicious treats, from the sweetest of chocolates cakes to the simplicity of the cucumber sandwiches.  Gillian Swart was the lucky winner of the very popular Sunday lunch Buffet for two people and Mr John Berg was our best dressed gentleman and winner of the one night stay at the Devon Valley Hotel with Breakfast included for two people. Thank you Devon Valley for supporting us by hosting this event every year and giving away the prizes. This has been a true blessing.

    

Finally, we ended the day with our adorable little ones singing their favourite song, the South African National Anthem. There was not a dry eye in sight. They are the reason we do what to do and they are worth it! 

Thank you to all the people who were able to attend, especially to Imperial Managed Logistics, Distell, the Farm Owners Association and the parents. The event could not have been a success without you and we hope you enjoyed every minute  of it because we enjoyed every minute with you.

February News!

Random Act of Kindness shown to Graceland

The first year occupational therapy class at Stellenbosch University was nominated by the first year occupational therapy class of the University of Cape Town to a RAK nomination, (Random Act of Kindness nomination). This means that they had a specific time-frame to complete any act of kindness, film it, and put it on social media (such as Youtube or Facebook). 

We were visited by the class of Occupational Therapy students from Stellenbosch University, a very eager and willing group. Their Random Act of Kindness to us was to do activities with the children and pamper the teachers. The activities with the children included playing games, face painting and doing creative art work. Our children enjoyed every moment of it. The pampering of the teachers included the a very indulgent manicure that started with a thorough hand massage. It is one of the few times where the teachers are also being spoiled. The RAK film will be online on the 18th of March 2014. Watch out for Graceland!

Thank you for choosing Graceland to be part of such a great initiative! If each one of us could show a Random Act of Kindness to someone we meet or see daily, the world would be a better place. My hope is that our little Gracelanders will one day be the ones to pay it forward and show others the kindness they continue to receive at Graceland. 

"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention." 

Oscar Wilde 

January News

Getting it right from the start!

The year 2014 started with an adventure to Cape Town. Graceland was invited by Travelstart, a loyal supporter of the Thembalitsha, to attend a family fun day at Zip Zap Circus in honour of Stephan Ekbergh’s (CEO of Travelstart) birthday. Thanks to Travelstart, Graceland didn’t have to worry about transport or lunch; we were even able to bring 20 parents along. 

It was the first circus the we have ever experienced!

The Gracelanders had so much FUN! There were jumping castles, face painting, balloon animals, food, cupcakes and of course the CIRCUS. It was wonderful to see my little ones faces as they ran around enjoying the stations that had been set up just for them. And when the circus started, I thought they may get wrestles or not be interested but they proved me wrong. I just stared at my 2 – 5 years olds as they we taking in every moment of each performance and at some points laughing from the top of their lungs. Thank you Travelstart for thinking of the Gracelanders, this is an experience we will treasure. And to Stephan, happy birthday! We wish you a year filled with love, life and prosperity!

Princess Elizabeth, Asquith Bibesco once said, ‘Blessed are those who can give without remembering, and take without forgetting.’