Thank you for choosing to read some of BEFSA’s news stories. A great deal has happened since BEFSA was established in November 2004 and one of our aims is to keep everyone up to date with the work in progress. Copies of our first three newletters are available to view and print off.

Click on the links below to download the Newsletters:
BEFSA_Newsletter1_March_06
BEFSA_Newsletter2_October_06
BEFSA_Newsletter3_March_07
BEFSA_Newsletter4_November_07

You can view our picture gallery by clicking here

A small selection of our ‘news’ is set out below to give you a flavour of our work.

“Students Enjoy New Library“
During the summer of 2006 two of BEFSA volunteers, Tom Berry and Rose Higgenbottom, established a new library and developed the computer room at Robben Island Primary School. Two months later BEFSA had two more volunteers, Anna Borien and Jessica Rutson, to continue the work. Anna and Jessica confirmed the library is being well used and valued by teachers and pupils alike.

“BEFSA Gains Two Experienced Teachers“
BEFSA has been fortunate enough to have the support of two Oxfordshire teachers. Jo Berry, former deputy Head at Pegasus School, Oxford is now living in Cape Town. She has taken the ferry across to Robben Island Primary School every Friday to support the Head teacher and classroom teachers at the school. Richard Graydon, former Head teacher of Chipping Norton School, visited some of the schools we are working with in the Eastern Cape in May. Moved by what he saw, Richard and his wife, Sue have now volunteered his services to BEFSA for four weeks per year.

“New Sewing Machine Secures School Uniforms“
BEFSA made an appeal for donations towards a new sewing machine for a farm school in Grabouw. After donations were received from Philippa Berry, Navlika Ramjee and Steven & Jan Sharpe we were able to purchase the new sewing machine. As a result a small but thriving business has been set up where school uniforms, school tracksuits and school bags are made. The money raised has now been used to buy the school much needed equipment, a second sewing machine and provided work for another member of the school community.

“BEFSA Lunch Receives Generous Donations“
Over the summer friends and family of BEFSA gathered in Oxford for a lunch held at the Oxfordshire Museum in July 2006. Our thanks go to Martin & Diana Roberts and Carol Anderson for organising the event, as well as to all those who were generous to make a donation to BEFSA. On a sadder note, Catherine Borien (BEFSA Chair) lost her mother to cancer in August 2006. In her memory friends and family made generous donations towards BEFSA. With the combination of these monies BEFSA was able to buy two classrooms of furniture for Emmanuelle Primary School in Joji.

“Volunteers Join McGregor Family Centre“
Keith and Catherine were joined in South Africa by three volunteers from the UK earlier in the New Year of 2006. All are well known to Catherine as they were former pupils of hers! Tom Berry and Rose Higgenbottom joined BEFSA in early January, and spent a large amount of their time assisting the staff at the family centre and children’s home in McGregor run by the Pondo Trust.

“Matthew Abbott Runs for BEFSA“
Matthew Abbott, a teacher at Gillott’s Secondary School in Henley, Oxfordshire completed a half marathon in October 2005. His run, which was sponsored by family, friends and work colleagues, raised over £100 for BEFSA. Thank you to Matthew for all his efforts on BEFSA’s behalf.

“Colin Middleton Donates Football Shirts“
Colin Middleton from Kidlington, Oxford very kindly donated football shirts for two school football teams. Catherine and Keith delivered the shirts to two schools, Balfour School in Balfour and Imingcancathelo School in Alice. Both schools were extremely grateful and said it would be the first time they would be able to play football with shirts on. Many thanks Colin, you made a huge difference.

“Chipping Norton School Provides New Classroom“
£3000 has been raised by Chipping Norton Secondary school in Oxfordshire to provide a new classroom, and staff and pupil toilet facilities at its partner school in the Eastern Cape. The money has been raised by the pupils who held a non uniform day in November. Each child had to pay £1.50 for the privilege of attending school in their normal clothes. In addition the staff agreed to donate the money they normally spend on sending Christmas cards to each other to BEFSA, and the head teacher has donated his retirement gift to BEFSA.

“Mark Tailby Rides for BEFSA“
How did you spend your summer holiday in 2004? Probably not like Mark Tailby! During a particularly wet week in August 2004 Mark, a project manager within the Property Group of Oxfordshire County Council, cycled from the west coast of England along Hadrian’s Cycleway to the east coast of England to raise much needed funds for BEFSA. The ride took Mark and a friend four days. Mark had been sponsored throughout his journey by his colleagues at work and by a number of county councillors all of whom were charmed into supporting Mark’s ride by his secretary, Julie Cunningham. Our thanks go to Mark, Julie and all the sponsors for their magnificent donation of £400.


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