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October 2025 Newsletter

OUTINGS

The children have had a number of outings since our last newsletter, including a trip to the Lion Park and a Sports Day held at the Howick West Sports field.

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The children and teachers had a great deal of fun in the run up to Heritage Day.  They had fantastic time participating in cultural activities, enjoying traditional food and showcasing their heritage.  It was wonderful to see everyone embracing diversity and having fun together.

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XMAS BOXES

We have already made some progress towards the children’s Xmas boxes.  An appeal to the Greater Ambers retirement village and Howick Community Church yielded enough ice-cream boxes and soaps and face cloths for all the children.  Our grateful thanks to all who donated so generously.

Our committee will be shopping for the balance of their gifts in the next month or so.  If you would like to make a donation towards these expenses, kindly use our bank account at: https://gods-little-lambs.wixsite.com/gllhowick/how-can-you-help-us and mark it Xmas box.

BUILDING FUND

Our building fund now stands at R69 000 as we work towards dividing one of our classrooms to reduce noise levels; and enclosing a veranda to give the children a better space to play when the weather turns wet or cold. Predicted cost is in the region of R150 000.  If you would like to contribute to this please see our bank details on: https://gods-little-lambs.wixsite.com/gllhowick/how-can-you-help-us and mark your donation “bldg” with your name and surname.  Since the school is registered as a Public Benefit Organisation all donations qualify for a tax deduction. (Email GLLHowick@gmail.com for your tax certificate.)

Maintenance And Other Smaller Projects
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The painting and upgrading of our principal’s office and the adjoining passageways was completed in the July holidays when the staff and some committee members (and their husbands) got stuck in.  New pin boards were erected, bookshelves moved, new lights fitted (thank you Bright Lights for your generous donation); new curtains put up; and a super desk donated by Falcon Engineering installed.  We also had a sickbed and bedding donated for use by children who fall ill at school (thank you Liz and Bill Speight) and a CD player from Isabel Paverd to use with the children’s music lessons.

STAFF

Our teaching staff have completed a refresher course in first-aid, essential to keep updated when there are so many little ones under one’s care.  Thank you Martin Millar of Health and Safety Consulting for discounting our training fee.

Two of our staff are furthering their studies with distance learning this year.  Nontuthuko Zimu is doing her first year Honours in Education while Nomfundo Chonco is working through her final year in a Grade R Diploma.

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DONATIONS

Our thanks to all our donors – Howick Pre-primary - and many others (including our overseas knitters), who kindly contribute food or materials that the children can use.  With the Department of Education cutting our subsidy by over 30%, we are grateful for every cent that we are given in cash or kind.

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Thanks and Acknowledgements

Heartfelt thanks to all our sponsors and donors who make it possible for us to keep going month by month.  The fund-raising environment is very tough at present with President Donald Trump’s change in policy. While that doesn’t affect us directly, it does mean that NGO’s in South Africa are all drawing from the same much smaller pot.  Any help we can get is very gratefully received.

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  • Umngeni Municipality for toys donated as well as financial contribution.

  • Book Dash for their generous donation of 240 books to the school.

  • Love Howick who are now collecting our recycling regularly.

  • Fairfield Dairy that donates large quantities of yogurt and other dairy products on a weekly basis.

  • Barnsley Farming which, over the years, has donated thousands of eggs that enable our cook to make nutritious breakfasts for the children.

  • Meander Prime Cuts for their ongoing donation of meat products.

  • Rise Against Hunger Africa who donated a substantial amount of food to supplement the children’s meals.

  • Falcon Agricultural Equipment and Plumbit Doc for their sponsored metalwork and maintenance respectively.

  • Hopewell Supplies for seedling donations.

  • Those whose generous donations of material and wool have enabled our knitters and sewers to create many useful items of clothing.

  • Knitters, both local and overseas who have donated their time and effort to make our winter warmth program a great success.

  • Those who collect small change which makes a BIG difference.

  • Donors and sponsors - both local and overseas - who help with paying the children's school fees and assist us with some of our larger projects.

  • Those who pray constantly for all at God’s Little Lambs.

  • The Management team which does a sterling job in supporting the principal and staff in all that they do.

  • Howick Community Church and the outreach support they give to this ministry.

  • Schools such as St John's DSG in Pietermaritzburg, Oasis, Howick Pre-primary School and Heritage House in Howick, and Clifton Prep, amongst others, that have supported us in many ways over the years.

  • Individual donors of items as simple as recycling or ice-cream boxes for the kids to put their stationery in.  We include here folk who bake occasional batches of biscuits to treat the children; folk who donate stationery and suitable second-hand toys and games in good condition, as well as books to go into their library.

  • Delta Design and Midlands Woodworkers Guild for beautifully made wooden toys

  • Other folk who give generously of their time and talents – doing maintenance work, gardening, photography, sewing, computer support etc.

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