Themba's latest report on parent workshops

I received a thorough report from Themba last week about the latest parent workshop. Themba joined us recently to work on the Outreach part of our programme. He is busy helping us set up book clubs and parent workshops in the communities. This is just a short extract from his latest feedback:

'Out of 100 parents who confirmed their attendance, only 29 parents arrived on the day. This was very disappointing to all of us, yet we did not let this get in the way of us facilitating a great workshop. The small turnout meant that we could have an intimate interaction with the parents and take part in discussions with them. I was able to communicate to them just how crucial it is to get to know the teacher of their child and not to wait until the child is under-performing at school before making contact.

Many of the parents we work with and meet at these workshops have themselves not had a good education. No one read to them as children and supported them beyond sending them to school. They all want to see their children do well and have access to opportunities they themselves have never had. Our workshops enable us to engage with them without judgment and help them to see opportunities that lie ahead.

We reflected (later) about how lucky we are to do the work that we do, and to have had the opportunity to be part of the conversation.  And seeing parents take ownership of the workshop was beyond anything we could have asked for!'    Themba Tshabalala

St Agnes Parent Workshop, June 2012

Nosipho and her charges for the day!

I received a lovely email from Themba Tshabalala, our Shine Community Projects Developer, who was reflecting on the last parent workshop:

'With all the workshops we've had it feels like the seeds have been planted. We have helped parents and care-givers see their role to their children's learning in a meaningful way. The St Agnes workshop gave us the opportunity to realise the importance of home language and how we accommodate it within the context of education in our country.
One parent, a French speaking parent whose son is a learner at St Agnes is confronted with the dilemma of how useful is speaking french at home while the environment and education system does not require it? I felt that his question was valid, and as a team, we could all relate to his frustration. We have all realised that French is important to his son, as it carries with it his sense of family and culture and a part of his education will be to preserve that.

Other parents threw in different elements of how they should and can help realise their children's potential. Games were played and chuckles shared, the reminder of childhood and that children's play is children's learning. 

Whether by sharing scary facts about the crisis of education in our country, or by sharing personal stories of our own reading journeys and imparting skills that can help them start this journey with their children and families, (we feel we are making a difference.) The parents were the champions of day, and now we need to strategise and put into effect a way that we will support them going forward.'

St Agnes parents

Tea and Cake at St Agnes this week

The volunteers and staff at St Agnes got together for their monthly tea yesterday. It is a wonderful way for the Shine Centre volunteers and the staff of St Agnes school to share stories, and a great way to catch up with some fun and laughter. Thank you to all the St Agnes volunteers who brought in goodies to eat.

Judy and Themba, our newest team member

Enjoying a monthly  catch-up

A snippet from Themba Tshabalala, one of our parent workshop facilitators

"On my way home on the train, I shared a seat with one of the Mothers from the parent workshop, and she had her daughters with her. They were doing paired reading together. That was sweet" X Themba

Themba and Linda, enjoying 'Lizo's Song.'