Catholic pre-school receives book donation in Duncan Village
Masithethe Counselling Services, formerly Life Line East London handed over books to St Peter Claver Pre-School at the St Peter Claver Catholic Church in Duncan Village on Saturday, April 30 2022.
Jackie Orsmond, the Director at Masithethe Counselling Services, said the reason for the donation is because they believe in giving children the opportunity to read books.
“We believe in developing young minds and story telling is an important way of teaching children life skills and much more.”
Orsmond said reading sparks their imagination and develops the brain while it helps them to focus, concentrate and improve communication skills.
Established in 1985, Masithethe has been of service to the Buffalo City community for 37 years with counsellors in 23 schools.
It offers confidential and free counselling, trauma debriefing, personal development courses for adults and teens as well as a lifeskills programme for children focusing on study skills, anti bullying, peer pressure, suicide prevention and drug abuse.
The St Peter Claver Preschool was founded by a Catholic nun. It started off catering for 20 children. The pre-school now has more than 100 children and caters for the children of Duncan Village and Pefferville communities.
Xoliswa Dida, the principal at the pre-school, said the children received clothing donations as well from Masithethe in December.
“We didn’t know much about the counselling service. We met them through one of the sisters. When they visited the church, they overheard the kids doing activities that’s when the interaction and relationship began.”
Dida said Masithethe does not only assist with donations but they receive lifeskills coaching as well.