Jan 2008
The new school year began on Jan 14 and the current enrollment is now 155 children. Needless to say, the school is operating over capacity at the moment as it was originally built for 120 children. Two new classrooms will need to be built if this enrollment remains as high. Our food budget has gone up considerably due to the increase in numbers of children as well as the increase in cost of food. Our monthly budget for the food program has gone up to approximately 450.00.

Apr 2008
The province of Mpumalanga has now officially registered our school and in the future this should be a benefit to the teachers by providing curriculum assistance and on occasion some subsidies. At the moment it's a bit vague, but all indications are that it will be a benefit down the road.

Our septic problems have now been fixed and what was originally thought to be a very expensive problem turned out to only cost about 1700.00, thanks to Sabi Sabi donating as much equipment as possible. French drains were installed and everything is working properly now.

May 2008
Our plans for our next preschool in Kwazulu Natal are slowly moving forward. We never thought this was going to take as long as it is, however, KZN Wildlife, which is overseeing this project for us has certain requirement and checks and balances in place which we must adhere to. They have advised us that in accordance with their timeline, construction will begin in February 2009.

Aug 2008
Lillydale B
We have recently returned from our annual trip to Africa and a visit to Lillydale B. With 158 kids now enrolled, the school is definitely overcrowded. We never seem to have enough cafeteria tables/benches to seat everyone. We have ordered one more table with 2 benches and that will be all we can fit into the cafeteria. Our kitchen stove is definitely overworked and on it's last legs. With the high volume of cooking, we have to look at an alternative. Sabi Sabi is currently exploring the possibility of a gas cook top to supplement the stove. Now that the school is registered with the province, the teachers are getting some assistance with training and curriculum requirements. The older kids and staff were even treated to a day trip to Kruger National Park as a result of this new relationship. It was quite an exciting field trip for all. We definitely need to build 2 more classrooms, but first we will need to extend the security fence. Sabi Sabi is currently overseeing the quotes on the construction.

Our tour guide Fanake Sibuyi has now received his Tour Guide accreditation from South African Tourism and has also passed his professional drivers license. Fanake and Sabi Sabi are currently working on putting together a village tour, which will be offered to guests of Sabi Sabi.

Our garden is not doing as well as we expected and we have been advised that in order to get maximum production we will need to cover the area with mesh to protect the vegetables from the strong African sun. We are working on a solution as with the high cost of food, we definitely need better results from the garden.

KwaZulu Natal project
The Community Trust as well as KZN Wildlife has been responsible for overseeing this project. Their vision is to build the preschool including all amenities as one project. With our Lillydale B project, we did it more in stages, which they do not want to do. As a result the quotation on this project in South African Rand is 2135735.00 (approx. CAD 300 000.00 based Aug/08 rate of exchange) We will provide 1/3 of the cost and the balance will be subsidized by the Community Trust. At the moment, we have about 75% of the funds.

FUNDRAISER
Our annual fundraiser will be held on Oct 02 at the new Four Points Sheraton Victoria Gateway. It will feature the comedy of Johnny Bagpipes, silent auction items and door prizes. Appy's and wine will be served. Cost 50.00 per person.
To purchase tickets please call 250 386 1335, or email info@africanpreschools.org or PayPal .

Marianne Schaubeck