HOUSE MUMS ARE BUSY MAKING...

CLOUDS OF HOPE Q u a r t e r l y N e w s l e t t e r

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RIVERSIDE FUN!

A wonderful outdoorsy day spentby all from Clouds at Glenhaven

activity centre... p. 06

HALF-TERM

WELLBEING

A week of social behaviour social change workshops .... p. 02

MEET THOBILE

Our wonderful resident socialworker and Halfway House Mum.

p. 04

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Our general manager - Zesizwe modelling a skirt madeby one our house mums in the Sports & Skills Centresewing sessions. See page 3 for more on the buzzing creativity takingplace in the workshops!

"Being a valued part of the team"

We were recently fortunate enough to host local non-profit organisation - Fanele S'Bonge -for a half-term week full of valuable social and behavioural development skills workshops. Fanele S'Bonge is an extended arm of the Department of Social Development in South Africa.

The programme facilitators suceeded in making the sessions as accessible, engaging, fun andrelevant as possible to our Clouds youngsters. From writing letters to those you have lost, torole play on 'healthy' and 'unhealthy' relationships.

The level of participation was fantastic and it's clear our children and teenagers took awaysome very valuable lessons on how to best manage their own social behaviour and to livepositivity as part of our caring community. A huge thanks to the Fanele S'Bonge team!

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SESSION SUCCESS

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"I value myself and others"

We're finally back to a new normal in the onsite Sports and Skills centre funded by Be YourOwn Hero, Germany. Teenagers have been busy in the woodwork sessions, led by local volunteer teacher, Geoff .

Meanwhile our house-mums have been honing their sewing skills, thanks to our volunteerteacher, Sarah. Making everything from school shorts, to skirts to cushions.

It really is an amazing hub of activity - creating avenues for additional income, lowering thecost of Clouds of Hope clothing purchases and inspiring a whole new generation of Makers!

GETTING CREATIVE IN THE WORKSHOPS

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Happiness is learning what can be achieved

with your own two hands ...

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MEET THOBILE . . . A TRUE CLOUDS ASSET!

Our resident social worker and Halfway House mum -Thobile Maskane ...

So, when did you arrive at Clouds?

I started in 2019 and spend most of my time on socialwork, also assisting our manager Zesizwe with officeadmin when needed.

And you're also our Halfway House mum?

Yes, I currently live with five young women, all lateteens here. It's given me the opportuity to reallyunderstand them as individuals, their emotions ... andmood swings!

What's a typical day at work for you?

Well, I can be working in the office until 7pmsometimes, so by the time I get back to the HWH, thegirls have already made supper. We'll then chat andrelax, watch some TV... On the weekends though, it'stime for me to cook properly for everyone. They lovemy curries - beef or chicken!

And do you have your own family?

Yes - I have a 15 year old daughter and a six year oldson. They both live in Pietermaritzburg with family,but my little boy comes to stay with me at Cloudsduring holiday times. He loves it and has made lots offriends here!

What's your favourite part of the job?

Working with the children. You learn from them. Grow with them. Building a relationship with each oneenables you to get on their level and better relate tothem. Also working with our general manager, Zesiswe,and learning from her. She is a truly special person -knowledgable, patient, understanding ... I find it hard toput how I feel about her into words. She is the coolestperson ever!

What's been the most challenging aspect of your role?

Earning everyone's respect and trust. These kids have allhave come from incredibly difficult starts in life. Theydon't naturally trust adults or automatically respectthem for very understandable reasons. Gaining this hasbeen a long road, but very rewarding when it comes.

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"They love my curries ..."

A huge thanks to our previous volunteers from Germanywho - together with their families - have pledged R3000 aquarter to fund a special day outing for all at Clouds ofHope.

Our first outing was to Glenhaven youth sports and activitycentre, set just outside Underberg in a beautiful rural spotright on the Umkimkulu river.

While our younger children enjoyed the adventureplayground, climbing, using rope swings and generallyhaving a lot of fun, our older teenagers played netball andfootball on grass, surrounded by Autumn tree colours andto the backdrop of the magnificent river.

The house mums had an equally great time - enjoying ballgames with the kids and riverside selfies!

A lunch of hotdogs and chips went down very well. Muchneeded fuel for an afternoon of further outdoor activity!

It was a truly wonderful experience for all and one that willno doubt stay treasured in everyone's minds. A big thankyou to our donors for enabling us to widen our childrenand teenagers' experiences outside of the Clouds centre. The sheer joy on their faces really says it all ...

A FUN-PACKED DAY DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE . . .

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New School Uniforms and WinterTracksuits!

Thanks to our wonderful local sponsors -mum and daughter, Valerie and KarenSmith - our kids all have brand new schooluniforms and cosy tracksuits for theincoming winter months. Valerie andKaren are regular donors to Clouds andthey're kindness towards our children isincredible precious.

CLOUDS NEWS ROUND-UP . . .

Veg Patch Competition Time at Clouds ...

The House Mums have taken to growingvegetables in the cottage front flower bedsand the competition is hotting up!

Cabbages, brinjals, chillies, spinach ... ourladies definitely have green fingers and it'sgreat to see more and more spaces atClouds dedicated to homegrown!

Spar KZN - Soap & Samp For All!

Thanks to local co-owner of the The StoneHouse Cafe - Claire Hogg - who also worksat Spar KZN and organised for the deliveryof enough soap and samp to last us forseveral months to come!

Taking the pressure off meeting costs foreveryday items is invaluable to Clouds andwe're so grateful that we were thought of.

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Clouds Card Design Fundraiser ...

Many thanks to Gretchen Parrock - a localartist and homework club volunteer - forgiving up her time to hold an art session withsome of our youngsters to create a set of cardsfor sale.

Gretchen sold these through local communitymarkets and we also have a lovely stash in ouroffice - just perfect for future thank you notes...

SA - Account Name: Clouds of Hope Section 21 CompanyFNB Account No.: 62034657413Branch Code. 221025

UK - https://www.justgiving.com/cloudsofhopehttps://www.cloudsofhope.com

USA - https://www.cloudsofhope.com

International Other: SWIFT FIRNZAJJ221025

Please use your name or organization as a reference and where possible send a copy of deposit slip /proof of payment. An email to clairegray.cloudsofhope@gmail.com will also ensure we can record,spend in your chosen area and send a thank you letter.

CLOUDS OF HOPE - Section 21 Co. Not For Gain. Registration No. 2002 / 026476.08. NPO No. 044-624-NPO.PBO No. 930024461.Cluster Foster Care Centre Registration No. 10/1/5/1-1/2012. VAT No. 4720257239.

WAYS TO DONATE ...

CLOUDS OF HOPEA U T U M N / W I N T E R D O N A T I O N W I S H L I S T

2 0 2 1

Wood Burning StovesA few of our cottages are in

need of working wood burningstoves to keep kids toasty in the

cold months ahead ... Donation target:

R60k / £3k / €3.5k / $4k

Library Study SeatingOur library room is being usedas one of the homework clubareas and we're in need of 10

more chairs and 2 large desk ... Donation target:

R8k / £400 / €460 / $555

Sofas & Bunk Beds We keep repairing them, but

many of them really needreplacing this year!

Donation target:R75k / £3.7k / €4.3k / $5k

If you would like to donate towards these much needed

upgrades please contact: clairegray.cloudsofhope@gmail.co

m

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