Nemato Change a Life news

IN THE latest new update from Nemato Change a Life (NCAL), founder Jan Blom said in order to strengthen their programme they facilitate programmes from organisations specialised in fields such as literacy.

“We work together with other youth organisations, benefiting from each other’s strengths. To make the best use of our capacity, we manage the office administration of organisations like the ECD Support Group, the Eastern Cape Fencing Association and the Matinyana Bursary Fund,” Blom said. New building – update

Progress with the building of the NCAL Centre is slow. “It’s stop and go, but the foundation is done and the bases for the waterless toilets are in place,” Blom said.

“Next is the floor, and then the frames will be put in place and the sandbag wall will be made.” Let’s Go Solar

NCAL’s Let’s Go Solar campaign is going well and is over the halfway mark with the fundraising.

“Please contribute if you can,” asked Blom. “Any amount is most welcome. Consider buying us a solar panel for R3 600 and your name will be on the plaque in our new centre.”

Credit card payments can be made online. Just follow the donate button on the NCAL website,

or make an electronic transfer to FNB Port Alfred, branch (sort code 210917, swift code FIRNZAJJ, 1 Main Street, Port Alfred. The NCAL account: Nemato Change a Life, account number 6225 665 9461, cheque account. Donations are deductible from South African tax.

Blom had an idea of how to raise funds. “How about when you fly, you can pay off your carbon footprint by donating to our solar power system. “It has a double impact: you help reducing carbon emissions and by giving us free electricity for many years, you also contribute to the long term sustainability of Nemato Change a Life!” Rubber ducks

Nemato members were invited to experience rubber duck racing. “Perhaps a Nemato boat will be competing during the Easter holiday next year at the Amanzi Festival in Port Alfred? Wouldn’t that be amazing?” Blom asked.

The festival and plan for a Nemato gymnastics centre, are two elements of a bigger plan to put Port Alfred on the map.

“We received books, donated by FunDza from Cape Town. They offer a programme that aims to turn township high school youth into readers. The trick is simple; offer stories that relate to the lives of the readers. It actually works. We use the books in our afterschool class, but members also take the books home to read,” Blom said. Matinyana Fund

The Holland-based Matinyana Bursary Fund is proudly supporting seven disadvantaged but deserving students from Port Alfred.

“Although students from our township are faced with many challenges, it is always great when, with some support, students manage to succeed and get out of the poverty trap. Nemato Change a Life runs the South African office for the Matinyana Fund. Many thanks to the donors in the Netherlands!” Blom said.