Newsletter A U G U S T 2 0 1 5 V O L U M E 3 4

Our mission is to develop well rounded, independent and successful young adults acting as role models in their communities by providing educational and social support to school going children and

young adults from disadvantaged areas in Bitou, Plettenberg Bay South Africa.

”Thank you Jef, I love my new bicycle!”

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On the left Jef is leading the Grade 1 children of the Wittedrift Primary School. Centre Jef and Danielle visit Plett Sport Shop where all bicycles, pumps, repair kits, helmets & locks were purchased.

On the right Kranshoek Primary recipients of their “Dream bikes”

Jef Michielsen and his partner Danielle are true Born in Africa heroes! Jef raised funds in Belgium to equip the Born in Africa learners with bicycles and his dream was realised when he visited the Born in Africa project in June of this year. Isabelle Brink together with Jef, Danielle and Born in Africa’s education coordinator Karien Malan visited the schools where we work and delivered 50 beginner bikes, complete with detachable training wheels. There he also created a cycling course which aided in teaching learners to ride a bike, taught them rules of the road as well as personal safety. The children were in heaven with these brand new bicycles! His generous sponsorship also ensured that 40 Born in Africa students received their own personal bicycles as part of the Born in Africa Dream in Africa project. Dreams really came true with these students whose eyes could not believe it when they saw their shiny new bicycles for the first time! Born in Africa recently organised a math times tables competition and, also thanks to Jef, we were able to ensure that 14 bikes were given out as prizes to the winners. What a brilliant initiative this has been, an unforgettable memory which will go down in the history books of Born in Africa!

Our 1st graduate paying it forward!

Thanks to Born in Africa’s assistance, Shenise Stuurman has completed her studies and is now proudly assisting us at the Born in Africa office with administration, her way of giving back, until she seeks permanent employment. These are her words which we would like to share with our readers: - Hello everyone at Born in Africa,

This letter is to everyone at Born in Africa, the sponsors, mentors, godparents and volunteers. I don't know how I will ever be able to thank you, but for now all I have are these words. A few years ago, I was in primary school and I was accepted in to the Born in Africa programme and wondered what it was all about. I never in a million years could have dreamt that they would do all this for me. Born in Africa helped me through school with school uniform, stationery and mentorship classes and when I finished high school they sent me to university. I went to study a diploma in Business Management at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) Saasveld for three years and did very well. I received merit awards for all three years I attended the Saasveld campus and graduated with my diploma cum

Attention godparents, sponsors ...

Our academic level is on the increase!

Words of gratitude from Shenise Stuurman

laude in April 2014.Then I went to NMMU Port Elizabeth to study my Bachelor of Technology degree in Business Management and despite all the difficulties I experienced, I passed my degree cum laude and was identified as part of the top 15% achievers in my field of study. Born in Africa paid for all my expenses while I attended university for four years. I am grateful for all that the organisation did for me and I encourage all the students of Born in Africa to do their best and make the organisation proud. Thank you Born in Africa; your contribution to my life made a world of difference. I am a qualified and educated young lady and its all thank to you and our Heavenly Father. All my love, Shenise

Since its establishment, Born in Africa has come a very long way and we have learnt much as we progressed. As our valuable sponsors and friends, it is important that we share with you some of the positive changes which we have made in order to work more efficiently.

We follow stricter selection criteria and this has lead to outstanding scholars within the programme. This year we have sixteen learners in Gr7 (the year before high school) with averages above 70%. This proves that our level of educational excellence has improved positively. This number will only increase in the future, proving that the students in Born in Africa want to excel in life and we are here to assist them in achieving their goals. This obliviously means that our students will also require additional funding to enter their tertiary studies. To overcome this hurdle we need to increase our sponsors per child which means that more godparents will contribute on a yearly basis to a student’s education. We call this our co-godparent programme. So far we have 400 children to a ratio of 625 godparents which also proves that our focus is in the right place. We encourage more sponsors to become co-godparents to ensure that the children get the chance they so rightfully deserve such as attending excellent schools and tertiary institutions.

Asanda Gigi takes first prize!

When students reach Gr9 in South Africa they are not lawfully obliged to remain at school and Born in Africa students need to re-apply to the Born in Africa programme demonstrating they are still motivated to remain in the programme. This way we can streamline the learners in high school to a manner in which we know these learners want to go far in life.

Asanda Gigi, South Cape College student in Oudtshoorn, is in her third year where she is studying a diploma in Safety in Society. In May this year she attended a gala function in George where she was awarded two diplomas. One was for “Top Achiever” in her school for Mathematics. The other award she received was for top

achiever for 2014 where she received an average of 84%. She is also the school student representative. Splendid Asanda - you set the bar high for others to follow!

Our grade 8 girls welcoming their first Autumn at WH

Visit from Holland!

It all starts with a dream...

Welcome Chantal, our Born in Africa Chairman from Holland

Chantal Van Summeren came to South Africa in 2003 as a volunteer. She helped at the Crags Primary School and gave her heart to the local community. With her passion to help she decided to fundraise for the Kurland Village community and in order to ensure the monies raised was spent in the most beneficial way, she linked up with Born in Africa. In conjunction with many other volunteers she set up the Dutch Born in Africa team which has been going strong ever since.

In May, we were excited and privileged to have Chantel and her friend Jan Jacobs visit us at Born in Africa. They visited various of our projects currently running to see where the needs are. Chantal returned to Holland and inspired lots of learners to help with the fundraising for different projects. As a result, Kurland Soccer Club received new soccer boots, socks and shin pads. Twenty five girls attended a three day hockey clinic where they learnt to play hockey. We were able to build two new homes for two Born in Africa families. The drama and computer classes will commence in term three and we are able to install much needed internet at the Wittedrift High hostel. A lot more can be done with the funds that were raised with this brilliant initiative.

February 2015 – Wetsuits for Nippers children March 2015 – Sports material March 2015 – Bedding April 2015 – Rollerblades and skateboards April 2015 – Canopy tour May 2015 – School supplies May 2015 – Cupboards

June 2015 – Bicycle dream June 2015 – Soccer kit July 2015 – Girl stuff July 2015 – Winter clothing for 20 children August 2015 – Hockey dream August 2015 – Two rooms built on

Thanks to the Buckinghamshire Born in Africa Charity Golf Day for making so many of these dreams come true! Also to Chantel Van Summeren, Maaswaal College, The Triangel and Jef

Michielsen for making dreams come true — together we can make a difference!

This wonderful project was founded in March 2013. Currently we realise two dreams per month. Here is a glimpse of dreams already realised for 2015

Dream in Africa

Needlework Choir and drama

Born in Africa education programmes

Homework Classes Maths Tables Competition

Mathematical literacy is so important and often something that is undervalued by our youth today. Born in Africa decided to inspire learners to practice their multiplicative skills through a times table competition. Practice began on a regular basis in the weeks leading up to the competition. On the 30th of July 2015, the best learners from each school out of each category where selected to take part in the final competition at Wittedrift High. In the first round they all took a written test and the top three in each age group were selected to go through to the next round where they verbally answered as many questions as possible in 1 minute. Needless to say, the atmosphere was electric!

Born in Africa homework classes are an essential part of the support system we create on an educational level for younger learners. Here, they are given extra support with school work, take part in creative activities and have an opportunity to build life skills. Leaners also develop social skills as they interact with one another in a variety of contexts. This term these homework classes were given by Karien Malan.

Born in Africa’s choir in Wittedrift have matured and are learning new songs, being exposed to different aspects of music and, in so doing, are nurturing a greater passion and appreciation for music while gaining musical literacy. In the Crags, Born in Africa’s Karien Malan also started a drama and public speaking programme where the learners are aiming toward having a performance piece ready for our parent meetings. These classes are always a lot of fun and allow learners to step out of comfort zones a little in a safe and creative environment.

A total of 10 learners are taking part in a specialised mathematics programme called Kumon. The programme is intensive with daily exercises and children attending extra lessons twice a week. It is wonderful to see their improved self-esteem, concentration skills, discipline and an improvement in their school grades!

Kumon Maths Additional Maths for Grade 8 Learners are faced with new challenges when they move from primary school to high school. In addition, sometimes difficult school environments also prohibit optimum learning. Born in Africa decided to give learners extra support with a subject that is often unpopular and misunderstood - mathematics! The classes take place after school where learners build on basic arithmetic and mathematical competency and have the oppor-tunity to ask questions regarding what is currently being covered in the curriculum.

The knitting and needlework classes are building skills in the children attending that will last a lifetime. This class is still being run by Born in Africa volunteers Amanda Allum and Marie-Anne Marais. Their enthusiasm and passion for what they do is clearly contagious. The projects vary and it is great to see results throughout the programme. Thank you for your continued effort and determination to make a difference even in difficult circumstances.

Born in Africa Activities

Holiday Outings

Each year Born in Africa sponsors top achievers to attend a week long camp in Cape Town organized by Rotarian Oscar Ssuna. The camp is aimed at exposing young people to various leadership activities to inspire them to develop their leadership skills. The visited various well known institutions where they received guided tours and attended talks hosted by leaders of the institutions. These included National Parliament, Groote Schuur Hospital, the university of Cape Town, University of the Western Cape, and many more. Well done to Jean – Pierre Plaatjies and Roseline Blaauw for representing Born in Africa at such a top level.

Hockey Development Clinic

Nipper flies to Cape Town Boys Camp Ellen Kleinsmidt is part of Born in Africa’s Nippers team which has only gone from strength to strength since it’s start in October 2014. Ellen and four other Born in Africa Nippers, (Robert Kleinsmitd, Marcell Patterson, Celine Olivier and Nicole Jacobs), went to the Nationals in Strand (Cape Town) in April this year where they competed against the best of the best in their age group. Ellen came home with two gold medals for sprint and flags. As if this was not enough excitement, Ellen then went on her first ever flight, travelling with four other Plett children to Cape Town for the awards ceremony. She loved every minute of it and we wish her even greater success as her hard work and enthusiasm drive her to greater heights.

During the last weekend of July we took the older Born in Africa boys in Gr 9 - 12 to Harkerville Forest Lodge for a camp centred around friendship. The weekend was packed with activities and games where they competed for team prizes. They also took part in dance and drama workshops which gave them the opportunity to be creative and move outside of their comfort zone while learning new skills. The boys made new friends too, sitting around the campfire while having meals together. In addition, they learnt the importance of being friends with your environ-ment. Escorted by SANParks guides, they went for a hike ending at the breathtaking Kranshoek viewpoint. What a great camp!

During the winter holiday, 130 learners who live in Kranshoek and Harkerville went to Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary and Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary in the Crags. They went on exciting, fact packed tours, got to see and know the wild cats up close and were even able to hold a couple of snakes. They had a lot of fun while learning something new, exploring the wild unknown and using all their senses to make the most of the experience.

Sport is a great tool to build a young person’s character and self confidence, promoting a healthy body and mind. This is why Born in Africa decided to take a group of Gr 7 and 8 to participate in a develop-ment clinic at Knysna Sports School in the winter holidays. Most of the girls attending had never played hockey before and they left with a newfound enthusiasm for the sport having learnt new skills and worked as a team.

Adventure into Citizenship Career Guidance

Knowing what career field you want to direct your tertiary studies is of vital importance. This ensures young people do not make the inevitable mistake of sitting in a lecture hall realising that they have zero interest in the talk up front. Academic Coordinator, Belinda Coram meets with all the Gr 8 - 12 pupils individually to discuss career guidance. They also undergo extensive online testing and balance this against their personal interests. Academic capabilities are also a factor to determine the ideal study choice. To date we are very fortunate to say that 95% of our students in tertiary level have entered their correct study fields and are thriving!

September 1 Caitlin Miggels, Simamkele Tyam 3 Mohesha Primo, Liechen Roman 5 Jake Johnson 6 Renate Bailey 7 Ayesha Majavie, Tamia Daniels 8 Masibonge Vusani / Simoki, Carlin Plaaitjies 9 Jay-Lee Martins 11 Tristen Mc Clean 13 Enrique-lee Smith, Sandy Stuur man, Whitney Campher 14 Lorna Simoki/Vusani, Obuhle Ngonyama 16 Clyde- John Smith 18 Moisha Pluim/Christians 19 Tatum Terblanche 20 Jose Janse 22 Johnell Andrews, Joanne (Irene) Seekoei 25 Charde Martins 26 Chandre Plaatjies 27 Johaneley Arendse 29 Anchen Kamfer

October 1 Chenique Seedat 3 Lancola Goeda 4 Justin Claassen 7 Dunovan Kamfer, Shaun McClean, Julian Windvogel 8 Jo-Ann Mapondo, Keagan McCarthy 9 Joanique Windvogel, Megan Van Tura, Relishia Krige 10 Bronico Preissex, Taylia Attwood, Craig Kamfer, Jaime-Leigh Sam 12 Evana Wiesie 13 Chaan Majavie

16 Zanda Gigi, Courtney Van Wyk 17 Chantenay Krigga, Christopher Titus 18 Clarissa Grootboom 19 Izelle (Tossie) Jantjies, Louise Figeland 20 Kaleb Jansen, Tamryn Demas 21 John-Ross Minnie, Yulynne Alexander, Garthwin Van Rooyen 22 Ruweida Plaatjies 26 Relebohile / Angie Mphafa, Randall Mtwa/Mabie 27 Danelle Majavie, Denzel Koerie, Monique Oortman 28 Deeolin Wildeman 29 Aldain Botha 30 Selena Panadza, Kay-Lynn Smith 31 Bridgette Kortee

November 1 Logan Le Fleur, Julian Ruiters 2 Francoisnique Samuels 3 Amber Sam, Celestine Gelant 4 Candy Gadebe, Chloe Stuurman 5 Ashwell Mabie, Nosifiso Mbangco loana, Deano Luiters, Kelsey Kriga 7 Lu-een Mabie 8 Hadley Booysen, Celine Olivier 9 Lillian Julies, Nazli Majavie 10 Justine Adams, Devon Harker 11 Taylor Williams/Windvogel, Radeshna Cloete 16 Bridgette Titus 18 Jaydrolene Morris 20 Hashim Williams 22 Elize Malgas, Jonica Booysen 23 Zareen Ludick, Carey-Ann Davids 25 Robert Kleinsmidt 26 Jovan-Lee Titus

28 Jaedine Mitchell 30 Robin Windvogel

December 1 Amor Adams 3 Amber-Jayde Van Rooyen 4 Chad Nicholas Kam 6 Melissa Pikanie, Josleigh-Ann Mapondo, Amorray Jordaan 7 Nadine Salman 9 Ebricha Saalmans 10 Shafick Philander, Jaydrien Felix 11 Cally Kleinsmidt, Janine Kamfer, Andrea Olivier 13 Fabian Jacobs, Miekylia Mintoor, Elze Ruiters 14 Suraida Kamm / Christians, Jeandre Mathews, Azica Welcome 15 Lunisha Brand, Dominique Plaatjies, Molly Jullies 16 Levern Luiters 17 Tarryn-Amber Minnie 18 Dean Diedericks 19 Tasmeen Janklaas 20 Cheston Pedro, Delano Arnold Koopman 21 Siyasanga/Siya Tenge 22 Adija Hartley 24 Leante Louw, Michael Myburgh 26 Darielle Bailey, Rosaline Jansen 28 Charlotte Le Fleur 30 Nicole Ludick 31 Claire Louw / Mpako

Mentorship Programme - the key to growth

Happy birthday to you!

Puppet therapy, computer lessons & first aid course

The mentoring of our children remains a core pillar of the Born in Africa programme and one which the growth of the children is based upon. Keeping up to date with innovative ideas, tools and skills in which to complete our task is key to achieve success ...

This year we commenced with a five month study method course where the children learnt all the vital aspects of studying to achieve success. We are working with two more practical and fulfilled themes which include working with puppets and poetry in order to get the children talking about social issues which hinder them. Each child gets to make his or her personal puppet which with become an important mouth piece to solve issues with. Poetry is a brilliant method to express their feelings and this too will enrich their lives.

Attending camps, holidays outings and running group sessions, one could be faced with medical emergencies and we recently followed our advanced second course in First Aid. Having this skill just empowers one to know how to proceed should a medical emergency within the group arise. We also followed an intensive two week computer course which empowered the Born in Africa mentor staff to use their computers to log all their admin onto. This is streamlining the daily administration for both mentors as well as the Born in Africa office.

Farewell to our dear Born in Africa friends...

With great sadness we bid farewell to our hon-oured member Roger Cassenaer. He passed

away on 15 July 2015. Thank you Roger for all your years of supporting Born in Africa. You will always be remembered as a great

ambassador of Born in Africa.

On 11 June 2015, Petra Hormes passed away. She was the partner of Henk Oerlemans and had been a keen supporter

of Born in Africa from the very start. In honour of her legacy, gifts were donated to Born in Africa which will aid the building of the new Born in Africa mentoring classrooms in

Kranshoek. Petra will be remembered by the children of Born in Africa.

Thank you for the bicycle donations: Action Clean BVBA, J.Adams, R.Aerts, F.Antonissen, Appels-Vanderlinden, Architecten Hectors, Baets-Lenaerts, Bastiaens-De Smet, Bekkers-Van Loon, C.Bluekens, Boekh.Kantoor De Guyter, Bolhaar-Van Gestel, Bouwservice Van Gompel, Brosens-Van Dorst, Bruurs Kine BV/BVBA, Bruurs NV, J.Bruyndonckx, Buts-Rombouts, Cardiohaan, Coertjens-Roovers, T.Coppens, J.Daems, Y.Daniel, De Backer-Lanslots, F.De Jong-he, De Jongh-Van Hamme, W.De Keuster, De Keuster-Sprangers, A.&G. De Smul, De Wilde-Aerts, Dockx-Vlemincx, M.Dufraing, J.Dufraing Swaenen, L.&E. Eyckens-Schrauwen, C.Fransen, Fronica, Gangboord registergoed, R.Geerts, Geysen-Van Boxel, J.Gijsbregts, K.Goeyvaerts, Group Eribel NV, E.Gysbregts, J.Haest, A.Haest, P.Helsen, Hofkens-Segers, D.Horsten, F.Horsten, L&B.Horsten-Van Merode, A.Hoymans, K.Huet, Huet-De Busser, Hulzebos-Scheepens, A.Jacobs, G.Janssen, J.Janssens, J.Kenis, B.Kin, Lenaerts-Versmissen, W.Lens, P.Loos, J.Maas, Markant Hoogstraten, M.Meir, F.Mertens, Mertens 2 BVBA, B.Michielsen, M.Michielsen, Michielsen-Aertsen, Michielsen-Caers, J.&G.Michoel-Marien, Missiekring Hoogstraten, T.&E.Moller-Wils-Van Rooy, Mortiers-Soffers, Nelissen-Knape, Nelissen-Knape E.J.M., L.Plessers, Quirynen-Proost, Quirynen-Rombouts, G.&R.Rigouts-Dingenen, L.Roos, L.&N. Schattenhofer-de Keuster, B.Schrage, Schrijvers-Michielsen, L.Schroyen, Y.Segal, M.Servaes, M.Siebelink, Sint-Victor Basisscholen, S.Sleeckx, L.&C.Sprangers-Van Gestel,

C.Stabel, Statie 'k wist 't, M.Sterkens, Tafelronde 195 Baarle-Nassau, B.Thijs, M.Thijs, M.Timmerman, E.Tuytelaars, Tuytelaars-Pans, Van Bergen-Bastiaens, N.Van de Velde , B.Van Delm, D.Van Den Bosch, A.Van Den Keybus, J.Van Der Velden, Van der Vloedt-Servaes, P.Van Deun, Van Kaam-Peeters, A.Van Mechelen, D.Van Pelt, M.Van Riel, E.Van Rooy, A.Vandamme, Verheijen-Vangoidsenhove, P.Verhoeven, Verma Comm., G.Vermeiren, F.Verschueren, M.Verschueren, S.Verschueren, T.Versmissen, P.&M.Voorbraak-Plasschaert, Voorbraak-Plasschaert, B.Wilde, Zakenkantoor Ivo Bols BVBA, J. Herrijgers

Thank you!

Huge thanks to the The Greater Plettenberg Bay Synagogue, and Shirley Jacobson, Stacey Aaron and Robyn Eidelman in particular. Your donation of clothing has been very warmly received and handed out to many needy families in Plettenberg Bay.

Bernard & Margret Kerrinckx-Hageman, godparents of Candy Gadebe, recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Instead of gifts, their guest made donations in aid of Candy’s studies. What a brilliant gesture!

On the 28th of May, 270 students of Maaswaal College organised a very special “Dream Evening”. All night long, everyone worked very hard with seven artists. The resulting artwork was sold for €7,250 and thanks to this many dreams have been realised. Thank you Chantal Van Summeren, Jan Jacobs, Baukje Broekhoff, Hadewijch Caspers, Willeke Kersten, Jelly van Rinssum & of course the students of the Maaswaal College & the Triangel School in Beuningen!

The golf tournament “Belgium – The Netherlands” at Goose Valley was a massive success and this was possible thanks to the Captain of the Dutch team, Kitty Van Helbergen. Kitty & Kees are also honorary members of Born in Africa.

Thanks to the senior golf club of Oudenaarde for their special contribu-tion in aid of the Tertiary Study bursary fund. The tournament was a huge suc-cess and enjoyed by everyone present, as were the refreshments provided by Born in Africa’s Lieve & Remi De Backer. Our honoured members Luc & Marie-Paule Seeuws-Smet recent-ly celebrated their 40 year wedding anniversary. They requested that all guests make a donation in aid of the Born in Africa Tertiary Study bursary fund. Huge thanks for your hard work and donations!

The godparents of Zeldorette Wildeman, Guy & Annemarie De Clippel-Menschaert, recently organised a party and their request to guests was to make a donation in aid of the Born in Africa Tertiary Study bursary fund. Thanks to the €100 raised, many students can be assisted on their road to success.

A huge thanks to “ALLOREKI of KULeuven” for the brilliant amount donated in aid of Born in Africa’s after school programme. We are so grateful!

People in Meetjesland (Flanders) might be interested in our very motivated godparent / volunteers team, assisting in fundraising for the Kranshoek classrooms. They are selling delicious biscuits at a bargain. To find out more, contact mario.lampaert@telenet.be. In Jan-uary 2017 the team are planning to visit Born in Africa and hand over their fundraising results!

Talitha De Laere and her mother are working tirelessly at the flea market in aid of the Tertiary study bursary fund. Thanks for this initiative!

MiM vzw (Meesters in Masters) are supporting students who are studying in the fields of Business Industry and Economics. This strategy has joined hands with the Born in Africa Tertiary study bursary fund. MiM has contact with the “Associatie Ugent” and with this agreement they will support two Born in Africa students during their five year studies. We are incredibly grateful for this initiative and on behalf of the students, we would like to thank you.

The kids had so much fun spending time with the little lambs. Thanks to Greta & Marcel Nickmans for this amazing activity for raising funds for Born in Africa.

This year Born in Africa were the lucky recipients of over 100kg of soccer equipment thanks to ‘’Foot for Africa’’ organised by Football Club PERK. Every year, the Belgian Football Association awards clubs who assisted others in need and Football Club PERK received a bronze medal for this initiative. We are so proud of your achievement.

Weather good or bad, the team in Velzeke stood proud to sell their goods in aid of Born in Africa. There was also a relaxing bar and the wheel of fortune was also present. Thanks to Hilde De Baets and her motivated team for their yearly contribution!

Thank you for the monthly donations: Tinneke & Joost Bogaert-Verlinden, Victor Poelmans-Lambrights, Henri & Martine De Schouwer, Fons Cools, Meeus-Verheyen, Marc en Roos Hollanders, Yvan Vandenabeele, Gilbert Verheecke, Van Steertegem-De Temmerman, Leona De Smet, Van Den Eynde-Lemmens, Geert & Sandra Vandermarliere, Rosa Flamand, Hans Vermeersch, Moers-Scheepmans, Noor Hallegraef, Nancy Calcoen, Luc Van Der Linden, Etienne Vyncke, Wilma Van Bronkhorst

THANKS FOR ALL KIND DONATIONS: G. Van Hege, K. Huizenga, C. Van Summeren, De Wilde-De Meyer, B. Vliegen, Emmerechts-Debucquoy, Verlodt-Lambert, F. & G. Verelst-Pluym, De Decker-Goossens, Technische Universiteit, M. Durmann, H. Van Leemputten-De Baets, H. & D. Bulcke, Van Den Goor-Geens, A. Windey, Smeys BVBA, L. Wilms-Vanbesien, B. & I. Purnal-Pennej, Vanoppen-Indesteege, Arens, Vanoppen-Indesteege, J. & W. Wechuys, O. Mels, Note-Derweduwen, J. Verbist, J. Holvoet, Raepsaet-Defraeye, Smeys BVBA, L. Wilms-Vanbesien, B. &. I. Purnal-Penne, Van Der Mersch, B. Appelen , L. Baeke, V. Bodewes, Idee Consulting, E.&I. Seeuws-Van Laethem, Vindevogel-Schelstraete, A. Gobeyn, M. Vanden-plas, R. Matthijs, D. Deyaert, R. De Backer, C. Demarey , Seeuws-De Re-keneire, LV Beheer BVBA, Van Hecke-Van Belleghem, Soens-Van Puyvel-de, Van Autryve, J. De Somer, Carion-De Wolf, K. Dhont, G. Leemans, M. Ronsijn, De Keyser-Coppens, K. & K. Simon-De Vogelaer, E. Van Schuy-lenbergh, R. & M. Vissers-Vanhoudenhove, M. Van Bos, Seeuws-Smekens, A-M. Seeuws, L. Seeuws, F. Rymenams, Smekens-De Coninck, P. Vanbel-leghem, M. Grijseels, K. Vandenplas, K. & G. Coudre-Geeroms, Deville en Binnard, Danneels-Allary, M. Smet, A. Vanderveken, I. Smet

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE FOOD DONATIONS: Woolworths, KwikSpar, Sao Gonzales, Le Fournil and Nguni.

Big thanks towards the clubs: Rotary Club Plettenberg Bay, Rotary Club Renaix, Lions Club Ieper-Poperinge, Rotary Club Brussel - Coudenberg, Lions Club Lokeren

Brilliant news! Born in Africa’s admin department just received official acknowledgement that all we have permission to issue tax refund invoices until the year 2020! Thank you to all who have worked so hard for this!

What wonderful initiatives...

THANK YOU CORPORATES for your tertiary study

MiM VZW

Inktco bvba

Would you like to get involved? Contact person in South Africa

Isabelle De Smul – Brink P.O. Box 1674 Plettenberg Bay 6600 South Africa

Tel: +27 (0) 44 533 6271 Cell: +27 (0) 82 857 2345 isabelle@borninafrica.org

Contact people in Belgium

Arlette & Georges De Smul R. Dalechamplaan 4 1200 Brussels Belgium

Tel/Fax: +32 (0) 27 706 916 Cell: +32 (0) 49 612 2361 georges.de.smul@gmail.com

Contact people between Belgium and South Africa

Lieve & Remi De Backer Cell: +32 (0) 47 528 3873 remi.de.backer@telenet.be

This newsletter was compiled by Elke Nele Schroyen, Emma Irvine, Veronique Claes, Karien Malan, Belinda Coram & Isabelle De Smul – Brink.

Donations are always welcome!

In Belgium: Iban nr. BE 25 8845 03500182, BIC-code: HBKABE22

In South Africa: First National Bank, Plettenberg Bay 62044941533, branch code: 210514

Have a look at our Facebook page: Born in Africa & our new website: www.borninafrica.org

Tax exemption in Belgium (from €40) & in South Africa!

Contact people in: Norway Toralf Nordbotten toralfn@online.no

Germany Dr. Reinhard Schydlo rschydlo@aol.com

The Netherlands Chantal Van Summeren Chantal@borninafrica.org

Corporate fundraiser: Jaak Leenknegt Jaak.leenknegt@gmail.com

Service clubs, companies, schools, seniors clubs and others who are interested:If you would like to organize something for Born in Africa you can always contact Georges De Smul or Remi De Backer. They will be more than happy to visit you and give an informative talk at no cost. Feel free to contact them!

Born in Africa Classrooms

A number of years ago Born in Africa built a classroom which we dubbed “Lilianne’s classroom” at Wittedrift Primary school. This was in honor of Born in Africa godparent Mr. Abreu’s wife who passed away. Recently funds were donated by Innerhweel Geraardsbergen Oudenberg for the maintenance and repair of the classroom. It is used as our mentorship classroom where Juf Sarija mentors the 45 BIA children who attend Wittedrift Primary school. With a new lick of paint and new school equipment, Lilianne’s classroom is as good as new, keeping her memory alive and enriching learners lives every day!

Donorinfo is a public foundation specialising in the financial transparency of charities established in Belgium. It is the first independent website that publishes high quality, objective

and verified information about the activities and resources of charity organisations. Born in Africa is registered with Donorinfo and you can thus make a donation in full confidence.

Adequate working space is imperative to our success and at Kranshoek where we work with 165 children we need to ensure that this ethos of excellence is maintained. With Kranshoek Primary school moving to a new premises so are we! We managed to purchase a property central enough for all the Born in Africa students. We are currently in the plan-ning stage of building our two mentorship classrooms where we will be continuing our afternoon mentorship, homework and sewing classes. The classrooms will create a safe environment for the Born in Africa children to complete these activities, but also a place they can truly call their own. There will also be a kitchen where Born in Africa will provide nutrition to the learners after school. Should you be interested in making a contribution towards the building of the classrooms contact Isabelle De Smul - Brink. Together, we can make a difference!

Born in Africa is proud to have such an inspiring man as a supporter and it is our pleasure to award him with honorary membership at Born in Africa. Jef Michielsen has made a huge difference with his bicycle project which resulted in the purchase and distribution of more than 100 brand new bicycles.

Born in Africa chairman Remi De Backer and his wife Lieve de Backer received an award at

the annual Anton Van Wilrode poem competi-tion. Cyriel Paul Coupé (28 June 1918 – 15 June 1998) was a famous Belgian writer and

poet, also known by the pseudonym Anton van Wilderode. Congratulations to Lieve and Remi for this well deserved recognition and

thank you for all you do for Born in Africa.

Lilianne’s Classroom Born in Africa plans to build a classroom

Born in Africa awards and honoured members

Anton Van Wilderode Award Meet our new honoured member