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Three2Six newsletter - February 2024
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Saint Valentine's Day
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February is known as the month of love due to Saint Valentine’s Day – a time when we pause to acknowledge and celebrate love. However, it’s easy to forget that love isn’t just about words, it’s also about actions. Valentine’s Day serves as a gentle reminder to be kind and generous to our families and friends. At the project, some of our learners took this sentiment to heart by making chocolates, which they sold to their peers. These sweet treats became heartfelt gifts of appreciation, bought for their loved ones as tokens of affection.
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Taking action against bullying
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The topic of bullying can never be stressed enough especially at schools. Bullying can take various forms, including emotional, physical, verbal and cyberbullying. Children tend to be common victims of the act due to their vulnerability and naivety. It is imperative that learners are regularly taught about the implications of bullying to prevent and report the act.
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A story about bullying was read to the Grade 2 learners to create an awareness of bullying and its impact on children. Different bullying scenarios were presented to them and learners had to answer questions. The interactive lesson allowed them to show empathy and kindness, and understand the impact of bullying to one another. Learners made a poster to pledge their promise to be a buddy not a bully.
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Our grade 5s, 6s and 7s are also doing their part! They are assembling pieces of a play that addresses the issue of bullying which they intend to present in front of the whole school once the final product is ready.
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Visit from Sacred Heart College
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Excitement filled the air as our Foundation Phase children welcomed Grade 6 students from Sacred Heart College for a morning of thrilling activities! From creative art projects to mastering dance routines, playing games, and conquering the playground obstacle course, laughter and joy were the order of the day. Thanks for your visit.
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Class activities
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Learning or studying can become repetitive, and learners often become accustomed to the same learning styles overtime. It is therefore important to incorporate various activities into the learning process. Fun activities, such as tracing drawings and painting, which our children have shown a complete love for, help students engage more and maintain their interest in learning.
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One method used by one of our teachers to motivate her learners to strive for success was to challenge them by requiring all students to write with a pencil throughout her lessons, only allowing to upgrade to writing with a pen after perfecting legible handwriting. This was accomplished by awarding those individuals who demonstrated proficiency in penmanship with a ‘pen licence’.
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Distribution of school bags
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Towards the end of last year, TOTEM bags generously donated school bags for distribution in the new year since many children resume school with old and worn-out bags. This was made possible by Angelique Ross. The beautiful and durable bags have since been distributed to our learners, who proudly carry them every day.
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Marist meeting
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Our project coordinator Justine Kimbala attended a Marist meeting this month with some of her colleagues from Marist schools. The purpose was to deepen the understanding of everything that Marist encompasses: connection, spiritual reflection and community building. From her experience in the meeting, this is what she said, “It was an amazing experience filled with not only getting to know more about Marist values and getting to know about the various Marist schools, but also filled with self-discovery and getting to know more about my colleagues. As with a busy school day we don’t get the opportunity to talk and find out more about each other”.
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The teachers engaged in an induction programme where they explored the characteristics of Marcellin Champagnat. Through group activities like making rosaries and painting, they bonded and shared insights. Maria, one of our teachers, appreciated meeting colleagues from other Marist schools who shared the same values.
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First alumni day of the year
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Our alumni gathered alongside new pupils who have recently left Three2Six, and we were joined by Ida, a new volunteer from our partner organization CMI Germany. The pupils arrived with excitement, thrilled to reunite with each other and their facilitators after the extended festive season. We began our session with yoga exercises, established goals for the academic year, engaged in games to foster camaraderie, and, naturally, concluded with a delightful lunch.
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Advocacy update
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In an era where collective action is increasingly essential for driving meaningful change, coalitions serve as powerful vehicles for amplifying voices, pooling resources, and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
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This month, we participated in two networks of organisations for meetings. The Protection Working Group (PWG) co-chaired by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, and the Psychosocial Rights Forum chaired by Sophiatown Community Psychological Services. During these two meetings, crucial issues regarding access to rights were raised, including the right to education and the rights of the LGBTQI+ community. Additionally, recent developments and initiatives were discussed such as the White Paper on Citizenship, Migration and Refugee Protection, along with projects carried out by a partner organisation in a border town that promote peaceful coexistence between host and refugee communities.
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Come see us!
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For our followers based in Gauteng, our team will have a stall at the 6th edition of the Human Rights Festival, happening at Constitution Hill from the 21st to the 24th of March. Come talk to us to learn more about our work and show your support. Partner organisations and like-minded NGOs will also be present at the Activism Row to discuss the issues they are addressing.
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During the festival, on Saturday the 23rd, some of our students will express their talents through art, conveying messages about their rights. Using poetry, drumming, dancing, and various other forms of expression, they will voice their experiences as refugees. This will occur from 14h and 15h. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Each year, the festival brings together NGOs, civil society organisations, think tanks, media partners and more around human rights issues. The 6th edition of the festival coincides with Human Rights weekend and honours all those who lost their lives in the fight for democracy. This four-day event is dedicated to showcasing, connecting and amplifying the efforts of NGOs, inspiring the next generation of activists, and sparking discussion on critical human rights issues to prompt action. Attendees can also expect exhibitions, screenings of human rights films, roundtables and panel discussions, live music, poetry, and a variety of other activities.
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Donation appeal
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It takes a village to raise a child. This means that a child is not for parents alone but also the community which can make or break the upbringing of a child. As an NPO our aim is to help make a positive impact in the lives of children academically. We would like to continuously make a difference in their lives for their better tomorrow, however, we cannot do it alone.
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The project does not only provide learners with free education but also free meals, transportation, uniform, textbooks and stationeries. All these have been acquired from your continuous donations. In order to keep contributing to the lives of these children, we need your support and help. Help us to brighten the future of a child by donating any amount. This can be done by scanning the code on this poster or by visiting our website here: https://www.three2six.co.za/donation. Your donations will contribute towards stationeries, transportation or daily meals for our learners, or what you choose to support.
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Each donation counts and helps us make a valuable change in the lives of our learners.
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