Three2Six newsletter - September 2024
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September marked the much-anticipated return to school for our students! Our teachers were thrilled to welcome them back for the final term of the year. The children joyfully reunited with friends they had missed over the holidays and dove into exciting school activities prepared by their teachers. Some were challenged with building battery-powered model motor vehicles, while others discovered the vibrant world of comics. Soon, they’ll be creating their own stories. We are looking forward to a term filled with creativity, learning, and success for all our students!
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On 13 September, some of our Three2Six children took part in the annual Primary Schools Catholic Meeting held at Sacred Heart College. Our students competed against four other schools - Holy Family College, Marist Brothers Linmeyer, Sacred Heart College and Veritas College Preparatory - in a series of 80 thrilling races across different distances and age groups.
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Everyone showed great enthusiasm and sportsmanship as they gave their best in each race. From sprints to longer distance runs, every child enjoyed the challenge of competing alongside other young athletes. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to engage with peers from different schools. A big thank you to Sacred Heart College for hosting this fantastic event. We are so proud of all the participants!
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Heritage Day
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This year, our school embraced the spirit of Heritage Day in a truly special way. The children were excited to leave their uniforms at home and proudly wear traditional outfits that reflected their cultural backgrounds. The vibrant array of colours and designs made the day even more festive, highlighting the diversity within our school community. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and positivity, creating a joyful environment where everyone felt connected through their cultures. It was a memorable day of celebration, unity, and cultural pride!
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Donations
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One of the strengths of the Three2Six project lies in the incredible support we receive from individuals and partner organisations, who generously donate their time and expertise to benefit our families, and also provide in-kind contributions to support our work. Here are some of the most recent examples of this remarkable generosity. A special thanks to Diana Messerschmidt for making this possible!
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Some of our children received spectacles, which have already had a significant impact on their well-being, both at home and in the classroom. This was made possible by Zaahira Jogee and the Ruya Vision Project, who generously donated these glasses and offered free eye screenings. We are deeply grateful for your kind support!
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We would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to Play It Forward Jozi for their generous donation of sports equipment! This contribution has been put to good use, bringing excitement and joy to our sports programs. Your kindness has enriched our students’ sports experiences, and we are grateful for your commitment to their well-being.
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Advocacy update
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At the recent Department of Basic Education (DBE) symposium on Care and Support for Teaching and Learning, our project coordinator Justine Kimbala presented on the critical topic of “Integration of Refugee and Migrant Children in Public Schooling.” This presentation focused on the unique challenges faced by these children as they navigate an often-hostile educational and legal system. Drawing distinctions between refugees and migrants, she highlighted how systemic barriers, particularly around documentation, create significant hurdles for these children in accessing education.
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A key point of discussion was the normalization of inequities within systems, such as the education and health sectors, where children from undocumented backgrounds are excluded. Our coordinator raised concerns about how policies from the DBE and the Department of Home Affairs often conflict, leaving children in bureaucratic limbo and without legal identity.
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To address these issues, Justine proposed policy reforms centered on compassion, inclusion, and the spirit of Ubuntu, calling for a review of current practices that marginalize children based on their parents’ legal status. She also emphasized the importance of international standards, referencing conventions that aim to prevent statelessness, urging South Africa to align its policies with global best practices.
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The presentation concluded with a call for action from stakeholders, including the UNHCR, to protect the rights of all children, regardless of their origin, and to ensure their dignity is upheld in the public education system.
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Protection Working Group Meeting
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Earlier this month, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) hosted a Protection Working Group meeting, which was co-chaired by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. Participants, including representatives from UN agencies, and international and local NGOs, were updated on the recent engagements of some organisations with the new Minister of Home Affairs and the key discussions that have taken place with the Department. A presentation was made on community policing forums, and updates were shared on incidents of xenophobia that have taken place in parts of the country. Advocacy efforts by different groups were also highlighted. The meeting concluded with an open discussion on potential initiatives to address the rising anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa.
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Children on the move conference
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In collaboration with UNICEF, the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town hosted a conference on children on the move. The event gathered over 50 representatives from governmental institutions, NGOs, youth development organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, presiding officers of children’s courts, as well as youth and children. Presentations and discussions focused on barriers to accessing documentation for these children and the durable solutions available to them. Alongside the Western Cape Commissioner for Children, a group of youth presented posters highlighting the challenges faced by children not born in South Africa. Special attention was given to migrant youth in alternative care and those recently out of care in Cape Town, focusing on their experiences of well-being and belonging. On the final day, deliberations focused on the key issues raised the day before, leading to the design of a concrete plan of action to address these challenges with the relevant stakeholders.
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Quarterly partner meeting
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The Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa (CoRMSA) that Three2Six is a part of and and other member organisations such as Amnesty International and the International Committee of the Red Cross, met to discuss some of the latest developments in the migration sector in South Africa, and a way forward to address issues of access to services for instance. Members also shared their upcoming advocacy activities for collaboration.
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Alumni day
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This month’s Alumni Day was all about creativity and teamwork! Our alumni had the opportunity to work with the graphic design platform Canva. The challenge of the day was to come up with a fundraising event and design a poster to promote it.
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Each group was tasked with creating an event concept, deciding what they would fundraise for, how much money they aimed to raise, and how they planned to achieve their goals. Among the innovative ideas were a Fun Day packed with activities, a Talent Show to showcase hidden talents, a Skate Event for the skating enthusiasts, and an event promoting Teenage Employment to help young people find job opportunities.
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It was inspiring to see our alumni come together, think creatively, and apply their ideas in such a meaningful way. We’re proud of their efforts and look forward to seeing some of these fundraising initiatives come to life!
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Each donation counts and helps us make a valuable change in the lives of our learners.
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