POSTCARD FROM AFRICA-- January 2025

January is the start of the school year in South Africa which means we have many little ones starting pre-school for the first time. Kano is a three-year-old little girl from Top Village who is one of these children. Kano’s mom told us that her daughter was so excited that she hardly slept the night before.  When she arrived at school, she would not put her little school bag down because, in her mind, it was the only way that she could show others that she is now attending school.

The beginning of the school year is a very big event in South Africa. Many cannot hide their pride as children begin the journey of education that will shape their future. For many parents, a better education is the only inheritance they can leave their children.

As little Kano was starting pre-school, a five-year old little girl called Dineo, was starting her first year at Top Village Primary, a school run by the South African Education Department. Dineo graduated the previous year from Fountain of Hope Church pre -school where she received an excellent early learning foundation from the same pre-school where Kano is starting this year.  No words can fully explain the joy that you see in Dineo as she starts “big” school.

These two girls face a brighter future because a local church has been equipped to care for the children in their community and to provide a good starting point for their journey of development. Thank you for helping us equip the village church to care for Kano and Dineo, who represent many other children in similar church-based education programs.