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Lebone Book and Heritage Week Part 2
Lebone Book and Heritage Week Part 2
Part One | Part Two by Dani Kreusch To complete the Heritage and Book Week held at the Lebone Centre, the staff gave a presentation on Afrikaans culture. After Cathy Gush explained about the food, clothing, transportation and architecture that the Afrikaans people brought to our country, she and three other Centre staff members showed the children some traditional Afrikaans dances, known as…
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Words by: Dani Kreusch
Photos by: Carol Kagezi
Please click on the photos for the best quality pictures and to view the captions better. Part One.
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Before the Little Red Dragon pre-schoolers of the Lebone Centre in Grahamstown receive their special guest, they start their day with their usual prayer. “Jesus, bless my teachers and give them patience,” they all chorus in harmony before sounding an Amen. This particular morning, Friday 18 September 2015, is the closing ceremony of their National Book and Heritage week, which they spent learning about the cultures and stories of different heritages in South Africa. Photo by: Carol Kagezi
Said special guest was Peter von der Meer, who has been visiting the Centre for the past four years. He and his family donate money every year so that each child at the Centre can take home a book of their very own at the end of National Book week. To date, his contribution has ensured that the Centre has been able to buy almost 300 books for their children. Photo by: Carol Kagezi
Each child in the LRD programme was bought a book relevant to their tastes from Bargain Books Grahamstown. “They’ve been so kind to us,” said Centre worker Sarah Williams. “They’re always helpful and give us discounts where they can.” Peter called out the names attached to each book, and got a photograph and a highfive of thanks from every child as the books were handed over. Here he is with Laylon, who was ecstatic that the book on the pile he’d eyed out was meant for him. Photo by: Carol Kagezi
“I’m so glad you’re happy about these books,” said Peter as Robin came to fetch his book, plonking beside the man on the ground with a huge grin and a thank you. “I’d love to sit here and read them with you, too.” In total, 22 children got to receive a book specially from Peter, and the bubbling excitement of those waiting to be called up was infectious. Photo by: Carol Kagezi
As soon as a child had their book, they returned to their seat on the mat and immediately opened it up, flipping through the pages over and over again, pausing to look at pictures and stroke words. Friends without books just yet crowded around to see, pointing out their personal favourite parts as they went through the book yet again. Jessie only paused in her perusal to look at the camera sneaking a picture. Photo by: Carol Kagezi
When all the books were given out, two brave souls, Elzaan and Saksiano, decided to read their stories to Peter. Even though they were still too young to read the words, the stories they made up by looking at the pictures seemed even better than those told in print. Saksiano even paused in his reading to show his classmates the picture, as any good reader should do. Photos by: Carol Kagezi
To say goodbye and a final thank you to Peter, the children all sang and danced for him, growing delighted when he joined in their movements. “I had such a wonderful time,” Peter promised, waving goodbye. “I hope you enjoy your books very much.” Photo by: Carol Kagezi
Even though the older ACE children were not around to meet Peter, there were also books for them to receive when they arrived later in the afternoon. Photo by: Dani Kreusch
To end off the celebration in style, a braai was prepared by Cherise Sickle and Natalie Cannon and other Lebone staff members for the children. Wors rolls were the main attraction of the day, and everybody was hands on deck – Anna and Marlene, the German volunteers, were even coaxed into frilly aprons to join in the braai fun. Photo by: Dani Kreusch
And for desert, which happily came before lunch, Kenrich Motors kindly donated two wonderful cakes. Photo by: Dani Kreusch
The ACE childrens’ cake depicted Winnie The Poo and “Reading is Fun” in caramel, while the Barney-themed cake was cut and distributed to eagerly waiting children. Photos by: Dani Kreusch
Lebone Book and Heritage Week Part 2 Words by: Dani Kreusch Photos by: Carol Kagezi Please click on the photos for the best quality pictures and to view the captions better. Part One.
Rhodes Must Recall: Education according to an Ukufunda Editor
Rhodes Must Recall: Education according to an Ukufunda Editor
My name is Dani, and I am powerless. (Hiiii, Dani.) It’s been sixteen years since I began a relationship with education institutions and even though there’s overwhelming evidence to suggest they’re terrible for you I’ve never had any really bad experiences. In fact, I’m one of those weird people who liked school. And who would go back, despite loving the fact that university has made me…
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A University By Any Other Name
A University By Any Other Name
by Dani Kreusch Like Rhodes, Kyoto University is watched over by a magnificent clock tower. This is, strange as it may seem, not the only thing the two universities have in common. Photo by: Dani Kreusch The name of any object is highly significant to us humans. It’s why we name our pets and sometimes our cars and appliances, and why names are the first things taken away or altered by slavers,…
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Adventures of a School Teacher
Adventures of a School Teacher
By Dani Kreusch Sarah and some of “her” kids from the Lebone Centre. Photo: Dani Kreusch As soon as she arrives for work the children drop from trees, jungle gyms and swings to encircle her in a group hug. Sarah Williams, at twenty six, is already a mom to the children who form part of the Lebone Centre group, breaking off mid-enthusiastic greeting to tell the boys to right-side the jungle gym…
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Book Review: Afrikaans Audio Books
Book Review: Afrikaans Audio Books
by Dani Kreusch https://soundcloud.com/ukufunda-blog/dani-kreusch-book-review-final Books reviewed in the above review can both be found here.
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Language and education in South Africa
Language and education in South Africa
by Dani Kreusch The complex language situation in our country has been proven over the years to be one of the biggest factors in South Africa’s failing education system. Specifically, linguists have found that learning in one’s home language signifantly increases how quickly, easily and permanently knowledge is acquired. Not being able to take the first three years of school in their home…
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by Dani Kreusch and Chanelle Prins.
Please click on the photographs for the best view of the pictures as well as the captions.
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Part of the Village Scribe Assosiation, awarenet is an eLearning platform designed to meet the school’s and learner’s computer literacy needs in the Joza Township in Grahamstown. Started in 2010, awarenet is a social media tool that offers its learners a personal networking space, tools for blogging, online discussions and project work all supervised by upbeat volunteers that provide help and a safe space. The online projects are always combined with offline activities like participating in sport events, organising public concerts, social engagements and the writing of newspaper articles to apply all the skills they have learned. “We encourage them to suggest projects or blog about their own ideas. Unfortunately, the SA school system rarely prepares them to do that, so they are usually happy if we suggest projects and topics. We tried a lot of different projects during the last five years. The successful ones became annual projects,” said Dr Anna Wertlen, founder and chairperson of the Village Scribe Assosiation. Photo by: Dani Kreusch.
One of the projects awarenet returns to annually is their International Peace Day celebrations. This year, the learners decided to mark the day by preparing food for those at the Home of Joy orphanage. The staff also created posters to mark the day and its significance – Kim Niemann, one of the two volunteers from Germany, displays with pride the Peace Day poster he made. “I want awarenet learners to be able to work in teams and take responsibility for their community and their country, learn about their rights and duties as a South African citizen,” said Dr Wertlen, who is very proud of all that the previous Peace Day celebrations have achieved. Photo by: Dani Kreusch.
Another volunteer from Germany, Larissa Willy, greets some of the first awarenet girls to arrive. “We’re so proud of them for deciding to [take food to the orphanage]. We just asked them, ‘What do you want to do to show other people the meaning of Peace Day?’ And they said, ‘We want to give food to those who have less than us.’ It was all their idea – we just helped with the organising.” Photo by: Chanelle Prins.
The awarenet learners carefully write their names on strips of tape that will act as name badges when they go to the Home of Joy. “Make my name Angelface,” one girl pleads, and Siphokuhle Soya, the girl currently with the power of the pen in her hands, rolls her eyes. “They’re not going to worry about your name, when they’re grateful for food,” she sighs, even as somebody else asks if he can have two name badges, just in case. Photo by: Dani Kreusch.
Siphokuhle and “Angelface” are two of the four assigned the roles of cutting up carrots, tomatoes and cucumber for the meal. “We want the Home of Joy children to have some vitamins, at least,” Larissa laughs. “This was my idea, because of my love for food,” Siphokuhle says solemnly as she cuts a rather stubborn bit of cucumber. Photo by: Dani Kreusch.
No meal is complete without something nice to drink to go along with the food. The awarenet girls in charge of making the cooldrink take their jobs so seriously every draft of the juice had to be tasted by each one before a verdict was passed. The drink is strengthened twice, diluted once, then strengthened again before it passes the standard. Photo by: Dani Kreusch.
The boys, meanwhile, are taking the kitchen by storm. While some peeled and chopped onions and some buttered rolls, others kept watch on the cooking sausages in their pot. “How’s it going?” Kim asks at one point. “We’re not letting anything wrong happen here,” the boys reply seriously. Two stand with their hands on the lid, at the ready at all times. They do oblige to let nosy journalists take a peek inside and then pause for a photo, though. Photo by: Dani Kreusch.
The main meal, when it’s cooked and ready to go, looks scrumptious. The boys carefully stack the rolls back, making sure none come lose or fall apart in the short but swift journey to the orphanage. “Everybody loves hotdogs,” Angelface says brightly. “This is a good meal to give them. I’m glad it was this.” Photo by: Chanelle Prins.
While the last of the preparations are made, some of the girls do a cleanup of the work stations they used, careful to not miss a spot. Others decide that the cutting work has made them hungry, and that somebody should be in charge of making sure that the vegetables are up to scratch. Judging by how quickly the leftover cucumber is divided up, the food tastes delicious. Photos by: Dani Kreusch.
Proudly toting their prized hotdogs, just-right juice, crispy salad and other food stuffs to hand over to the Home of Joy, the awarenet learners pose for a photograph. As soon as the camera is put away, the food is handed over to those more willing to carry, and learners rush to latch onto the arms of volunteers, whom they adore, and visiting journalists alike. “It’s Peace Day. Be peaceful,” one says to a hopeful girl who tries to squeeze between her and Larissa’s arm. “Larissa wants to walk with me.” Photo by: Dani Kreusch.
The awarenet group certainly did not leave the orphanage untouched. A group of the friendliest girls found themselves inside listening to the harrowing story of two orphans, one who is wheelchair bound. There was not a dry eye in the room, and some of the children had to be consoled after the talk was done. “We need to help them again,” Kuhle says adamantly. “We need to come back. I’m glad I know where it is, now.” “I’m hoping I can teach the kids how to set up an online fundraiser so we can help Home of Joy again,” Kim confesses. “That’s my next big project.” Photo by: Dani Kreusch.
Once at the orphanage, the awarenet boys keep the Home of Joy children occupied with soccer and games while the girls quickly finish preparing the meal, putting sauce on the hotdogs and heaping paper plates high with vegetables. Each person there also receives a very generous amount of juice. Photo by: Dani Kreusch.
Each awarenet learner and volunteer gets at least one chance to hand over some food to one of those at Home of Joy. While most are shy, there’s something soft in everybody’s expressions, and a lingering once the plate has changed hands. Photo by: Dani Kreusch.
Larissa gets into a short conversation with one of the children at Home of Joy. He takes the hotdog, and she returns with a plate of vegetables, face amused. “He doesn’t want the vegetables,” she laughs. “He’s not the only one – we’re going to have a lot left over.” Those happily munching on their hotdogs don’t seem to feel they’re missing out on anything; quite the opposite, in face. Photo by: Dani Kreusch.
When all the food is done – even the awarenet learners got a plate each – everybody slowly groups together for a photograph. The littlest children all want to be held or picked up, and most are all too happy to oblige with the request. Once the sitting still is over, the smaller ones promptly make a car out of the plastic container the hotdogs were carried over in, delighted by the unexpected toy. Photo by: Chanelle Prins.
The last job of the day, as the sun sets lazily, is to put all the Peace Day posters, full of information about human rights and encouraging others to practise Peace Day every day, on the Joza Youth Hub fence. As they work, the awarenet volunteers murmur about the sad stories they’ve heard that day, and how it’s a good thing that their eyes are remaining open. “Looking is the first step to moving to change,” says volunteer Mcvay Bako. Photo by: Dani Kreusch.
Peace and Goodwill by Dani Kreusch and Chanelle Prins. Please click on the photographs for the best view of the pictures as well as the captions.
isiXhosa audiobooks
These audiobooks were recorded by volunteers in the School of Journalism and Media Studies, funded through the Grahamstown Friends of the Library. Please feel free to download, use, share and enjoy them. And let us know what you think. For more information, please contact Rod Amner at [email protected] or 076 153 8445 (more…)
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Afrikaans Audio Books
These audiobooks were recorded by volunteers in the School of Journalism and Media Studies, funded through the Grahamstown Friends of the Library. Please feel free to download, use, share and enjoy them. And let us know what you think. For more information, please contact Rod Amner at [email protected] or 076 153 8445 (more…)
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Words by: Dani Kreusch
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This week, the Lebone Centre is celebrating National Book Week with a heritage twist in preparation for next week’s Heritage Day. Every morning this week the pre-school Little Red Dragons (LRD) and older Ace kids are being treated to a different person talking about their heritage and reading a story that’s connected to said heritage. “It’s been a fantastic time. We really wanted the children to learn and have respect for other cultures,” said Centre staff member Cherise Sickle.
The main room at the Centre was decorated with streamers, balloons and a whole lot of heritage items staff members and volunteers brought from home. Each corner of the room represented a different heritage that can be found in South Africa. Photo by: Dani Kreusch
One of the corners in the main room that displays some of our country’s heritage. Tuesday saw Jane Burgess come to the centre and teach the LRD kids about the Khoisan heritage. Burgess, dressed as a member of the Khoisan tribe, also brought along many stories about one of the earliest groups of people to live in our country. Photo by: Dani Kreusch
One of the corners in the main room that displays some of our country’s heritage. While Burgess taught the LRD group, the Ace kids set about making their Big Book. Working together, the older children are making a book in which they record their favourite memory of being in the Ace programme. The book is set to be finished and shown off at Friday’s closing ceremony that will have Peter von der Meer as a guest of honour and a surprise in store for all the children. Photo by: Dani Kreusch
One of the corners in the main room that displays some of our country’s heritage. “[All the staff] loved putting this all together,” said Sickle. “This was us decorating the room in our own way. And it’s been so nice to see how the kids have reacted to all the different things in the room. How they have stories about all the things and how when we read a book to them they find the things in the book in the room around them.” Photo by: Dani Kreusch
One of the corners in the main room that displays some of our country’s heritage, depicting the true statement “Words can change worlds” in the background. “This week is so important; it’s great to make reading even more fun and interesting than it usually is,” said Lebone Literacy Programme co-ordinator Cathy Gush. Photo by: Dani Kreusch
Amongst the many wonderful books on display were favourites such as Bennie Boekwurm. “We’ve also started a library system here this week,” said Centre worker Sarah Williams. “Children can take out all these great books we have here, like a real library, and bring them back once they’re done. They’re all so excited about it.” Sarah presented on her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia on Monday, showing the children pictures of her family and telling them stories about the World of Coke that’s in Atlanta. Sarah ended her presentation by reading two Dr Seuss books. Photo by: Dani Kreusch
Marlene Buhl (left) and Anna Schorr are here from Germany to volunteer at the Centre for a year. On Wednesday, they gave a presentation to the LRD and Ace kids about Germany. They spoke about the German language and its similarities to Afrikaans, teaching the children the days of the week and how to say their names and ages. Photo by: Dani Kreusch
As part of their presentation on Germany, Marlene and Anna showed the children some pictures of their homeland. From left to right we have the Donau River, the Old Theatre, a bit of the famous Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate.Photos by: Anna Schorr.
Anna and Marlene ended their presentation by reading the children Little Red Riding Hood, a fairytale that originated with the Brothers Grimm in Germany. They then made some traditional German food for the children: potato pancakes and apple sauce. “I really love it here. I love the people,” Marlene said. “And this Centre is wonderful to be at.” Photo by: Dani Kreusch
Gush took three beloved children’s books and read them to the students after reminding them about the importance of National Book Week. The biggest hit was Winnie the Poo, which had to be read twice. “We’ve really been able to engage with such wonderful, different stories,” said Williams. “And having an excuse to read the classics again has been amazing.” Photos by: Dani Kreusch.
World Book and Heritage Week Part 1 Words by: Dani Kreusch
JJH: Understanding the space
JJH: Understanding the space
A little while ago, we posted a heartwarming narrative about what volunteering for JJH feels like. To give you all an even better idea on how wide the kids smile and the spaces they get to move in, TV 4 student, Jenna Lillie, went to JJH and filmed the space, letting it tell us its story.
Keep an eye out for more stories about the…
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Entrepreneurial spirit is in the air at Kingswood
(WAITING FOR PHOTOS AND APPROVAL FROM PRINCIPAL) Entrepreneurial spirit is in the air at Kingswood
By Roxanne Daniels
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The sweet sugary scent of candy floss in the crisp Autumn air, the thrill of defying gravity on the jumping castle, the bustle of busy shoppers searching for the chicken wrap seen earlier or a cupcake for desert. Mothers were helping young children catch the plastic fish in the bowl to win a prize, and fathers had their little ones on their…
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By Roxanne Daniels
The excited Masters students from the Percy Fitzpatrick Institute at the University of Cape Town (UCT) travelled on a very hot day to Worcester on Wednesday 1 April to see and learn about the succulents at the Karoo Desert Botanical Gardens. They stopped along the way at a petrol station and inevitably bought some crunchy ‘padkos’. Their current course lecturer, Timm Hoffman, accompanied them and after being shown around and encouraged to ‘interact’ with the South African succulents, they were led to the ‘for sale’ section where they were to choose their favourite succulent and purchase it. The purchasing process was accompanied by being issued with a licence to own the plant. The plants were carefully put into the back of one of the vehicles to ensure their safety for the trip back to UCT.
Here is a gallery of photos from the day; click to read full captions. Photos by Roxanne Daniels.
This Botanical Garden was founded in 1921 and the initial name was Logan Memorial Garden. It was the second Botanical Garden to be established in South Africa. The first location of the gardens (White Hill) became unsuitable and land was donated by the Worcester Municipality to re-establish the gardens in 1945. There are some Quiver trees that are still living today after having been replanted at the new location 70 years ago.
Christiaan Willembrink follows the leader towards the Karoo Desert National Botanical Gardens. Christiaan is a student in the University of Cape Town’s Conservation Biology masters class. This class is made up of 14 students only and is an intense 13 month programme, with half being made of course work and the other half being dedicated to project work. The coursework section is comprised of several modules lectured by experts in their field, often accompanied by fieldtrips, such as this one, to affirm what is taught in class.
Essential to any journey over an hour (this one being an hour and 15 minutes!) is ‘padkos’, being true to this, the class stopped at a petrol station along the way to choose their treats. At the stop, Timm Hoffman, the lecturer for their current course, asked for directions to the study site they would be going to after visiting the Botanical Gardens. Like real scientists, it was not a case of left or right down this street, instead GPS coordinates were given and the hunt began in due course.
Students of the class start snapping shots of the expanse of the gardens before them. Each class member became excited about particular parts of the day. They each have their own areas of interest and Wataru Tokura and Hermen Matimele (centre and left) were particularly in the element. Both are invested in botany research and this was the first field-trip dedicated only to the exploration of plants.
The class was then led into the index nursery dedicated to growing and taking care of just under 3900 taxa of succulents and bulbs. 177 of those species in the nursery are part of the red list of threatened species and viewing of the succulents and bulbs in the nursery has to be arranged by requesting a guided tour. Instead of being in individual pots, the bulbous plants are cultivated in a raised bed as they produce more flowers this way. Most of the plants were and are collected from arid winter rainfall areas.
Student, Kyle Lloyd, was particularly fascinated by this succulent, carion flower. When it produces its flower, it is designed to look like carion/dead meat. It also gives of a rotting smell and both of these characteristics are in place to attract flies to the plant, flies are thus, the pollinator of this curios little plant that many people probably would not want on their kitchen window sill. This succulent flowers from February to May and needs little/partial sun.
After the guided tour of the nursery, the class was led to a different section where native plants of Southern Africa are on sale. Angela Ferguson, pictures, carefully chose her two plants, along with several other class members who spent about 20 minutes umming and ahing over the choices before them. Attached to each little potted plant, is a leaf of information about their purchase; the specie name, when it flowers and how much water is needed for the succulent.
All the plants require a license for transportation purposes, therefore, each purchase was accompanied by a handwritten license so that none of the class members would be arrested if found with the plants. Many South Africans are unaware of the legalities surrounding these plants, but course lecturer, Timm Hoffman described to the class a few stories of foreigners being caught leaving the country with seedlings of the plants.
Exhausted from the heat of the day, but happy with their purchases, the class, led by Hoffman, made their way back to their vehicles. A few stops were made along the way to learn about the plants around them. One such stop was to observe a small Tree aloe which is indigenous to South Africa. The tree takes many years to mature and supposedly still had decades to go before reaching its potential height.
Christiaan Willembrink ensures here that he will get his particular plant back by the end of the journey home. The decision of where to place the plants for the trip back was carefully discussed and the back of this spot was chosen as the safest for their newly found living organisms.
What do UCT students do? By Roxanne Daniels The excited Masters students from the Percy Fitzpatrick Institute at the University of Cape Town (UCT) travelled on a very hot day to Worcester on Wednesday 1 April to see and learn about the succulents at the Karoo Desert Botanical Gardens.
The Gathering/Intlangano dance programme encounters Rhodes
Students going all out at their first ‘encounter’ at the Drostdy Lawns. Photo Credit: Smangaliso Ngwenya.
By Loyiso Gxothiwe
The Drostdy Lawns were a strange sight on Saturday 14 March 2015. A group of students had assembled in the middle of the Drostdy space jumping, doing mass choreography and dramatic movements such as hugging each other at random. This was the first of what is to be many…
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IsiXhosa MT 3 students translate a new mobi-site
IsiXhosa MT 3 students translate a new mobi-site
By Ntombovuyo Ngaphu
MTN Chair of Media and Mobile Communications at Rhodes, Prof. Lorenzo Dalvit with other members who helped to develop the KKNow mobi-site while others helped to translate it into isiXhosa
As a passionate isiXhosa Mother Tongue 3 student at Rhodes University, I love to get involved in activities that have anything to do with my beloved language.
The first time I screamed…
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All Children Are Equal
All Children Are Equal
(Some are just more equal than others)
by Dani Kreusch
Places of education are often made out to be the heartbeat of Grahamstown. After all, not only do we have Rhodes University students creating enough movement and noise to drum up a steady pulse for the town, but we have the likes of prestigious schools such as DSG, St Andrews and Victoria Girls. These are the places parents are proud to send…
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