Natalya's Fund

Coaching in life-skills through sports

Providing sports essentials and Bibles to help a fatherless generation in South Africa

Riots and Covid in South Africa

July 2021

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Rozanne writes, "It’s so encouraging to know that people across the world are concerned for us. Yes, what is happening has been devastating to experience. There has not been any riots in the Western Cape where I am, there have been some warnings it may start this weekend and we have been praying against it. Our beloved Beth [previous director of Helderberg Academy] and her family are in the thick of it in Kwa-zulu Natal, Thankfully they are safe and we have been praying for them daily. I have family in Gauteng that has been affected but are thankfully safe as well.

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"The Covid situation has once again deteriorated, we are currently experiencing a 3rd wave with the new Delta Variant and have been moved to lockdown level 4, Schools closed early, gatherings are prohibited. This has now affected the academy again and we have not seen the children in 3 weeks. Some of them have communicated with me and they seem to be ok, however some have mentioned being scared with the possibility of the riots this week. I encourage them to continue to pray for courage and strength. I trust that God will protect and provide for them as he has throughout the pandemic."

Continued Contact Despite Lockdown

April 2021

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During the lockdown Rozanne has been able to visit the children, divert funds to tackle Covid, find new sports grounds, renew contact with existing grounds, and continue planning for the post-pandemic situation.

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Rozanne began meeting with the children at their homes, and found them in good spirits. They were delighted with the gift bags she had prepared, which included a face-mask, sanitiser and some goodies. She has found a great new sports-ground, and is resuming with an existing contact; with all the grounds she has to devise a way of working within the Covid regulations.

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For the moment, sports are allowed again, within the regulations. So they are at last able to use the equipment they purchased from the grant we gave them last year (pictures expected soon). The money they hadn't spent by the time of the first lockdown has now been diverted to buying the gift-bags. They will let us know as and when they need a top-up.

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Disappointingly a third wave of the pandemic is expected in South Africa, so in the meantime Rozanne is putting further planned changes on hold.

New Strain of Coronavirus in South Africa

January 2021

The new strain of coronavirus that hit South Africa last year is reckoned to be 50% more infectious.  As a consequence, cases have surged, and the country is back in a severe lockdown, as we are in the UK. Sports are therefore out of the question, and the fallow period for this ministry continues. Rozanne is using the time to prepare for release after restrictions are over, and to consider what can be done in the meantime.

Update: Coronavirus - How it Affects this Project

April 2020

On 26 March South Africa went into nationwide lockdown, which has been quite a challenge to deal with as the core of the Academy is the children they work with, and now they are not able to see them.  

Covid-19 has prevented their planned holiday club and their usual home visits. In an effort to stay connected with the children, the week before lockdown they managed to meet with each community and hand over some activities for the children to do at home. They have subsequently started a WhatsApp group where they share a daily activity and encouragement with the parents in the hope that they will share these with their children; this they will continue for the duration of the lockdown. They have also endeavoured to contact the parents by phone as a substitute for the home visits.

Just before the lockdown, they were able to buy some of the items specified above, but of course they cannot for the time being use them. We are expecting to receive pictures once they have resumed coaching.

In the meantime we have told the Academy to feel free to divert remaining grant money to buy essential items they may need in their response to the pandemic.

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As of 19 April there had been 54 deaths in South Africa caused by Covid-19, equivalent to 16 March in the UK. Please pray.

Project Launched

March 2020

Among the problems South Africa faces are what is said to be the biggest gulf between rich and poor of any nation on earth, and a very high proportion of fatherless families. Both these problems are addressed by Helderberg Academy, a South African charity founded by Beth Veenendaal, past member of a church to which one of our trustees belongs.

The Academy works in the town of Somerset West, near Cape Town, in the Helderberg ('clear mountain') area of South Africa. Here you will find children who know who is their father but don't know them as a father. They can point to them in the street, but don't live with them and have little or nothing to do with them. Fatherlessness is associated with behavioural problems, homelessness, missed education and attempted suicide.

The Academy addresses these issues in the underprivileged community by teaching life skills through sport, and encouraging and supporting children as they grow up, to help them reach their true potential. Children often do not get sufficient physical exercise at school, and they miss out on the emotional and social development that comes from being an active member of a team.

The aim is for children and teenagers to grow in self-esteem and in relating to others (especially to those from different races or cultures), and in their physical and mental development; also to give them an opportunity to play and have a break from home responsibilities.

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That is achieved through weekly sports coaching in football, netball, rugby, dance, etc. These promote fitness, health, and values such as respect, responsibility, courage and empathy. Also by giving youngsters experience in leadership or coaching, they develop leadership skills and learn to be role models in their communities. Occasional holiday clubs are also run, giving the opportunity for more time together.

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What we Provided

We have sent a grant of £802, made up as follows:

•    £230 for one year's supply of balls for monthly prizes given to the most-improved boy and girl in each community

•    £173 for one year's supply of Bibles for monthly prizes as above

•    £105 for two sets of eight slalom poles for weekly sessions and holiday clubs

•    £105 for netball, rugby and football balls for weekly coaching

•    £189 for 12 sets of socks and boots for children that regularly attend

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Note

All the images on this page show the recent work of Helderberg Academy. The money we have raised will extend and protect this work, and photos will be uploaded once available.