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Three2Six newsletter - June 2025
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Picture of one of our students by Kim Ludbrook
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World Environment Day
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“We are going to make our world a better place.” - Sindisiwe, Grade 4
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World Environment Day was all about creativity with purpose! Our learners showed how upcycling can turn everyday waste into something beautiful and useful. From plastic bottles transformed into pencil holders, plastic spoons turned into stick puppets, to aprons and dance attires made out of plastic bags - the results were amazing!
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Through hands-on activities, our children learned that even small actions can lead to meaningful change. They explored the power of reusing, and reimagining waste, all while having fun and working together for a better future.
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Our teachers also prepared lessons on topics related to plastic pollution and how to end it, while our older students used Ipads and Canva to create posters around this theme. Thank you to our teachers and everyone involved for making this day impactful.
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At Yeoville Community School
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As part of our continued engagement around World Environment Day, our Grade 7s participated in a collaborative workshop held at a nearby school, Yeoville Community.
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Together with the Grade 7 learners from that school, they explored key environmental issues such as pollution, water shortages, and the wider impact of environmental degradation. Learners worked in mixed-school groups to research and discuss these challenges, before preparing presentations to share their insights with everyone.
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The groups presented their ideas through songs, poems, posters, and dance performances. These creative expressions not only reflected their understanding of the issues, but also demonstrated their concern for the future of our planet.
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We extend our thanks to Yeoville Community School for welcoming us so warmly and for making this exchange possible. It was a day of learning, creativity, and shared purpose.
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Medical screenings
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At Three2Six, we believe that education and well-being go hand in hand. That’s why we were especially grateful to welcome Dr McIver, and Sister Fourie from the St Charles Clinic to our project for a full day of health screenings with our students.
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The children underwent basic health checks, including eye tests, heart and lung examinations, as well as height and weight measurements. These screenings help us better understand the individual needs of our learners and ensure that potential health concerns are identified early and referred for appropriate care.
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Beyond the medical aspect, the visit helped to create a safe environment where our learners felt cared for, and listened to. Dr McIver and Sister Fourie approached each child with warmth and patience, helping to build trust and reduce anxiety - for many, it was their first experience with a doctor in this kind of setting.
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Our heartfelt thanks to both health professionals and to the St Charles Clinic for their time and commitment. Your support reminds us that caring for children means more than just educating them - it means protecting their health, dignity, and future.
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Just in time for World Refugee Day, we were proud to present our latest publication: the 2025 Three2Six Poetry and Art Collection - a compilation of creativity and resilience. Created in the spirit of the Jubilee 2025 “Year of Hope”, this collection brings together poems and other artworks by our learners. Each page offers a glimpse into their inner worlds - carrying messages of hope, courage, and love.
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At a time when so many children are still denied their right to education, this booklet is a powerful reminder of what can flourish when young people are given the space to learn, dream, and be heard. Alongside the poems, you will find the moving personal stories of two of our learners - stories that speak to the transformative power of education and the importance of protecting the rights of displaced children everywhere. Read the full collection here. We invite you to share it, and to help us amplify the voices that too often remain unheard.
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To mark this special day, we had the honour of welcoming Kim, a photojournalist, who spent the morning with our team and our students. His beautiful photographs of our activities and children were featured here and here for World Refugee Day.
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This month, we had the pleasure of welcoming Andrea and Eleonora from the Marist Foundation for International Solidarity (FMSI) to the Project. During their stay, they participated in key meetings, spent time in classrooms, and engaged closely with our community and team to explore ways to sustain and deepen the impact of our work. Thanks to Andrea and Eleonora for their openness and meaningful presence. Visits like these are a valuable reminder of the strong partnerships and shared values that support the heart of Three2Six.
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We also had the joy of welcoming Renate from CMI Germany, the international volunteer service of the Marist Brothers. As one of our long-time partners, CMI Germany plays a key role in supporting our work by sending volunteers who contribute meaningfully to our activities. During her visit, Renate got to see firsthand what volunteers get involved in at Three2Six, from the classroom to the playground. It was a great opportunity to reflect on the impact that CMI volunteers have on our operations. We’re grateful for this valuable exchange and look forward to more years of collaboration to empower refugee children through education and care.
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Visitors from CIE and the Solon Foundation
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Leo from Kindermissionswerk
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We were pleased to welcome Busi and Nontobeko from the Catholic Institute of Education (CIE) and Natalie from the Solon Foundation to our campus. Their visit offered us a great opportunity to share more about the daily work of Three2Six and to introduce our programmes in action. It was especially meaningful to introduce Natalie, whose organisation is a longtime associate of CIE, to our project. Through open conversations and exchanges, we were able to highlight the impact of CIE’s support. We’re excited to keep building on this partnership!
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This month, we also had the pleasure of welcoming Leo to Three2Six. He is a volunteer from our long-standing partner organisation, Kindermissionswerk "Die Sternsinger". He spent a week in Johannesburg to get to know our project and to support our work. From assisting in the classroom to helping with sports and art activities, Leo quickly became part of our daily life. His kindness and genuine interest made his short visit memorable. Thank you, Leo, for your time and support!
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Presentation on Three2Six
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As part of an inspiring event at St Benedict's College - where authors, social workers, journalists and other speakers shared how small ideas can spark big changes - our director and project coordinator presented the 18-year journey of the Three2Six project to over 100 attendees.
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They highlighted the challenges refugee and migrant children face: limited access to formal education, language barriers, trauma and social exclusion. Yet, their talk focused on the resilience and determination of our learners, many of whom have gone on to succeed in mainstream schools, earn scholarships and become strong voices in their communities.
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Their presentation was a powerful reminder of the transformative power of education, and what happens when children are given a safe space to learn and grow.
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Preparing for the move to high school can be both exciting and overwhelming - not only for learners, but also for their families. To help guide this important transition, we hosted a Grade 7 parents’ workshop in collaboration with our partner the Outreach Foundation.
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The session focused on key topics such as how to apply for high schools, the documents that are required, and how to best offer emotional support during this major step in their lives. We were encouraged by the strong participation of our parents and the questions they brought to the discussion. These conversations are essential in ensuring that our learners access the next stage of their education and feel supported every step of the way.
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Our sincere thanks to the Outreach Foundation for their expert input and partnership. Together, we building strong foundations for the future success of our learners.
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Launch of the 2024 Annual Report
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In case you have missed it, we’re excited to share with you our 2024 Annual Report - a reflection of the journeys, partnerships and progress that have shaped the past year at Three2Six. Inside the report, you’ll find key highlights from the year: the stories of children and families, insights from our staff, milestones reached, and the numbers behind our work. Take a look and join us in celebrating what we’ve achieved together.
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Staff update
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We are delighted to welcome Thandi to the team as our new development officer! She joins us after having worked at an international NGO focused on improving the lives of children through parenting programmes. With experience in teaching and a strong commitment to education, children's rights, and social justice, Thandi brings both passion and experience to the team. We wish her all the best in this new role!
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Alumni Day
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In honour of Youth Day, this month’s alumni reunion focused on activism. Our past students explored the historical background of Youth Day and the powerful role that young people played in driving change. We also discussed various forms of activism, from protests to art and social media, and what activism can look like today.
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In small groups, our alumni then created fictional causes and designed campaigns to raise awareness and spark action. The ideas were imaginative and often humorous - one group, for example, campaigned for all criminals to be given facial tattoos to prevent crime!
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The day ended with a shared meal, offering space to reconnect and reflect. As always, we are grateful for the energy, creativity and laughter they bring to these gatherings.
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Each donation counts and helps us make a valuable change in the lives of our learners.
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