Marlow Thames & The Knysna Project South Africa
Knysna Rotarians Ian & Joan Huskisson visit Marlow to finalise discussions on the Marlow Thames Knysna Preschool Project that had saved 22 schools from closure. Picture taken during dinner on the Barge at Harleyford estate
Ian Campbell has just returned from a week in Knysna , South Africa actively involved in procuring and delivering supplies of paint, mattresses, blankets, fire extinguishers and also helping route water and build toilet blocks for the 22 unregistered preschools that had been identified as in dire need of help otherwise they would have been shut down and 1000 children under 4 yrs old would have been put back on the streets.
The project is well underway after a slow start due to staffing problems at the Kynsna Educational Trust and a complete reconstruction at the main school of the playground which was washed away in the floods .
Over a 1000 small children and babies will now have mattresses to sleep on for their afternoon naps and also water and toilets to help with hygiene ... teachers and support workers are being trained and the correct education at this early stage in childrens' lives can help avoid the cripplingly poverty and exposure to Aids and HIV that is endemic in over 30% of the townships above Knysna.
The children sang songs to Rotary workers at every school visited as their way to show their appreciation and sincere thanks .......we also received a card from one school thanking us for their new toilet . It was thanks enough to see their smiling faces and excitement when we visited.
Thanks to everyone at Marlow Thames for making this small but important difference to so many small lives in the small town of Knysna, South Africa.
One little girl with Aids wrote in her book: " I would like to be a butterfly and live in a field and free ...that is my dream ....."
Ian Campbell
PS; Due to the unexpected reconstruction the project will overrun by some 10% but with Knysna Rotary Club so dedicated to making our project reach its conclusion they have said they will see it through - Much appreciation and thanks must also go to the time and effort put in by Knysna Rotarians.
On the 11th July visiting Rotarians Joan & Ian Husskisson from Knysna Rotary Club spoke to the Club. The aim of the project we are to support is that there are 40 Million impoverished black people in South Africa and 4 million white working population trying to support this economy - the enormities of the task are mind boggling and every small bit of help from overseas makes a big difference and saves many lives.
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| Shanty Towns | Shacks | Basic Accommodation |
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| No Sanitation | No Work and Children to Feed | “AIDS” Is The Major Problem |
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| One Room Lacking Running Water Toilets |
Workshop for physically Disabled making pauper coffins. Many for AIDS patients | 22 Children's Unregistered PreSchools Urgently Need Help For Equipment |
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| Crèche’s Needed While Mother’s Seek Work. Money is Food |
Kid’s Need Security Education, Nutrition & Hygiene |
Needs Waterproofing and solid floors |
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| The Ideal Creche and Training Centre | So many more poor children need your HELP. |