Welcome once again, it’s a pleasure to be sharing our newsletter with you.

ADMISSIONS

We had 6 new admissions during the two months. 4 are scholars while 2 are non scholars. From the scholars two are in grade 8, one in grade 7 and the other in grade 12. The grade 12 learner who came from Johannesburg was however discharged into the care of her parents on the 21st of May. All girls came from in and around the Gauteng Province. All the scholars were successfully registered with Hospital school and even wrote their end of term exams. Their age range is from 14 to 21.

HOLIDAY TIME

Currently the girls are participating in knitting, cooking, baking, cards’ making, motherhood and responsibilities towards the unborn baby and computers. The girls joined the 19th Braii fundraising of the Knights of the Gama at CBC. Thanks to the donor! Below is the Fatima House transport that takes our girls to and from school, for their hospital appointments and other events.

BIRTHS AND FAREWELLS

No births were recorded during the reporting period. The earliest date of birth or expected babies will be in early July therefore we urge our good donors to start preparing the packed bags for the two girls. These girls do not want to know the gender of their babies. They are looking forward for the surprise!

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

A meeting on improving our working relationship was held between Ronel Terblanche from Catholic Women’s League, the sister in charge, the Vice chairperson and the social worker on the 5th of May. Ronel is the one supervising the social worker and has been doing so for quite some time now. On the 18th Sharon Haarsdorp a life time coach came with Jabu a Psychologist student to present one of her encouraging motivational topics. The girls really need someone who is neutral and has seen life from their point of view. Girls were challenged and they learnt a lot like how to relate to their peers, parents and the society at large.

One of our new girls celebrated her 16th birthday on the 20th of May and all girls, Sr. Laurine and the Good Shepherd candidates who on Fridays give a class on painting and cards making joined the party. They made it special and a memorable day .Two officials from the Department of Social Development (Children’s Home Supervisors) paid a visit on the 17th of June. This was followed by another surprise second visit by an official from the Department of Social Development, {Health Care Division}, who came to inspect if the home was in line with the hygienic and healthy standards that are in place. On the 16th of June our girls went for an outing in Hartbespoort dam and at the Union Buildings. They had much fun. A ladies group from Lyttleton Catholic Church also visited the girls and they brought along various toiletries for them.

MOTIVATION

A woman in childbirth suffers, because her time has come; but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering in her joy that a child has been born into the world (Jn16:20-23) St. Mary Euphrasia the Foundress of the Good Shepherd Sisters in her Conference writes “Live joyfully with your God, let him be your soul’s atmosphere”. Our aim is pro-life and therefore if a pregnant woman or a girl comes to us because she chooses life for her unborn baby we welcome her with open arms. She has conquered her pressures by choosing life. We give her full support and we make sure that life remains precious.
THANKS

Our thanks go to all who support this kind of service that we render to our pregnant ladies, our Board of management, donors, friends of Fatima House, Good Shepherd people, the Catholic Church in Montana for their yearly donation done through the raffling of blankets, Sr. Rosa (a Good Shepherd Sister) from Germany, the Lyttleton Ladies Group, our girls for choosing life, and our collaborators.

Compiled by Sr. Lydicia and Karen (Social worker)