A HAPPY START TO THE YEAR

God's Little Lambs Preschool has got off to a great start this year with close on 70 enrolments of children aged from two to four years old.

The majority of these are on child support grants and are drawn mainly from the surrounding community at Tumbleweed.

With the Department of Education paying monthly subsidies very erratically, budgeting has become increasingly difficult, and we welcome and appreciate any donations in cash or kind to keep us going.

On that note, HARTS (Howick Arts Society) members raised over R2 000 when a beautiful painting by Cathy Beattie was raffled at their recent exhibition. Thank you, HARTS and Cathy!

Our cook, Pinky, makes two meals per day for each child and for some this is all the food they have.

Last year we restarted our veggie garden after a lull during Covid-19 and were able to supplement the main meals with fresh cabbage and spinach. Keeping the neighbours' chickens at bay has been a challenge but we have had a few fresh eggs in return!

There is a happy vibe in the classrooms and in the playground as the children learn through playing and are taught some of the discipline required for going to ‘big school’ as they progress through to Grade RR.

Last year ended on a high note with each child receiving a gift from the Santa Shoebox Project at their year-end party. The smiling faces said it all as they tore open the wrappings and pulled out an array of toys, sweets, stationery, and clothing which had been carefully sized to suit each one.

Our next big project is to repaint the classrooms. Should you like to donate toward this, please feel free to email Eric Beattie at gllhowick@gmail.com or call Clare Van Daele at 084 4557771.

For more information about God’s Little Lambs Preschool, please visit https://gods-littlelambs.wixsite.com/gllhowick.