Dear Friends and Family of the Earthchild Project

We hope this newsletter finds you well with not too many sneezes and coughs, as we ease into Cape Town’s wet winter.

The rain has however, been very good for our gardens which are both looking lush and abundant.  Two weeks ago we had a fantastic Garden Club afternoon at Sakumlandela.  Joined by ten parents and three High School learners from a nearby project, there were fifty hardworking gardeners and worm farmers working side by side.  It was amazing to see the children helping and teaching the high school learners and parents – they really have become experts and felt very proud to share their knowledge with their elders.  After two hours of hard work, we all enjoyed a big, delicious salad made by the children with their harvest

Earthchild Project organizes at least one environmentally educational outing for each grade during the year and there have been a number of outings this term.  Visiting the cheetahs and birds of prey at Spier wine farm was especially exciting.  The children got to see the cheetahs feed and they each got to hold a fairly large bird of prey.

Over the first weekend of May we help our third teachers’ retreat for seven teachers from Zerilda Park Primary.  We were very grateful for the opportunity to share with such an open minded and committed group and their feedback confirmed that there is a great need for teachers’ team building, time out and self development.

One Grade 2 teacher shared, “I had an amazing time.  This place is being in like a warm safe bubble to get away from the rest of the world.  I enjoyed the spirit of togetherness and teamwork, the sharing and laughter.  I especially enjoyed the massage and hike.  I feel very lucky and honoured to be able to come on this retreat.  I really got in touch with nature and with myself.  I want to thank the Earthchild Project group for their hard work and effort.  The yoga and meditation helped a lot to relax and to make me feel good and relaxed from the inside.”

Our main focus this term has been to teach the IAHV Breath Water Sound course to all the Grade 3-7 learners at both schools.  Yoga, breathing exercises, songs, meditation, stories and more!  This four day course has a profound impact on the learners and gives them invaluable tools for life.  One Grade 5 teacher shared that her class was “so much more focused that they actually all did maths properly for the first time EVER!”  Well done to Noks, Shane and Zain for doing such a fantastic job teaching hundreds of children week after week!

They couldn’t have done it however, without their committed assistants.  This months Earthchild Heroes are the Art of Living volunteers who gave their time to help the Earthchild Facilitators during the Breath Water Sound courses.  Alexi, Victoria, Frida, Gabriela, Deborah, Dawn, Vraj, Yehuda and Vuyo – Thank you thank you thank you!  We look forward to the day when you all become BWS teachers too

Last but not least, we want to remind you all about the Earthchild documentary screening fundraiser at the Labia Cinema in Cape Town this Thursday.  We can’t wait to share this deeply touching film and look forward to celebrating the last two and a half years’ work with all those who have supported us along the way.  Tickets are selling fast so let us know if you’d like to join.

Stay warm and well.

Much Love

The Earthchild Project Team