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Steel Band: The Haven's Steel Band is a group of talented youngsters that perform at various functions throughout the area. It is a very successful project that inspires many of the children and grants them an opportunity to do something that would, under normal circumstances, have been impossible. The instruments were kindly sponsored by a Johannesburg businessman. Children are free to join the band, on the condition that they attend school.
Children's Feeding Scheme: This is run in conjuction with the St Francis Bay Women's Forum. This scheme runs a soup kitchen for several hundred children of the Haven in Sea Vista several times a week. The children also receive either a peanut butter sandwich and milk or soup every afternoon after school. Pre - School: The Haven runs a pre - school in the morning that consists of two classes - one for five year olds and one for six year olds. The children are taught by qualified and paid teachers. After - School Care: The Haven's volunteers provide a stimulating environment for school children in the afternoons. The children are kept busy with puzzles, toys, painting classes and the steel band. The volunteers talk to the children, read stories to them and develop their communication skills, trying to prepare them for life in the global community. This service caters for ages 2 to 17. Currently they have 150 children but this figure continues to rise. Without this service, the children would be left to roam the streets as their parents are not present to supervise them. School Sponsorship: The Haven is helping to educate a number of deserving pupils through arranging and managing sponsorships by local and overseas home owners in St Francis Bay. These sponsorships cover schooling, uniforms and transport costs. Many cannot afford the monthly transport fee of R90 to get to the nearest high school, which is 30 km away. Sports Coaching: The children receive coaching in cricket, tennis and soccer when there are coaches available. Clinic: A clinic is also operated out of the Haven once a week. Those who can afford it are asked to give a R5 donation. Talhado's support helps pay for medicines. |
