New Year - Fresh start

Wednesday the 18th Jan was the opening of the school.  Bridgman.  The kids were up and about - with evaluation.  This is the process where we evaluate the kids at the beginning of the term to establish where they are so  that we can be able to determine they need.   We do evaluation every term to see the impact (or lack thereof) that we make in their learning career. 

The staff dressed in Singapore T-shirts.   Singapore American Schools are one of our major supporters who come to Bridgman almost annually.  They give us monetary donations as well as offer their labour in renovating the centre, cleaning and painting etc

Our 'kid' got the top award in her school.  She was awarded with the best learner in Math.  Her mom came to Bridgman to thank us for the remarkable work we continue to do in improving the academic standards of the kids in our community.  She is Samu Simelane (7).  She is now in grade 2.  

2011 Aftercare Graduates

We are happy to celebrate the 'coming off age' of four of our aftercare kids.  All of them have been with us since Grade 1.   They have now finished the primary school careers and are progressing to High school.  It is sad to report that they will no longer be part of our aftercare programme - which caters for kids up to grade 6.  We are proud to have laid a good foundation for them.  

Halala! Hambani kahle bantwana bami.. Do us proud in high school.   Show them what you have learned at Bridgman and prove to them that Bridgman is the place to be for all the primary school kids. 

Thanks to the staff who worked tirelessly in enforcing disciple and the culture of  learning amongst these kids. These kids are not only good at their academic work only, they have basic computer litercay skills, good ground in Christian faith and have amazing confidence in themselves.   

Zola, Jabulani, moletsane and Tladi - Bridgman is waiting for your kids in 2012.

2011 the year that was !

We are slowly but surely coming to the end of another year! 2011 was indeed a year like many others that was filled with lots of excitements and unfortunately ends in a rather sad note. The sad note cannot stop us from celebrating the goodness that we enjoyed.

The year started with preparations for the visit of FRIENDS OF BRIDGMAN - the Singapore American School learners and two of the dedicated educators. They arrived at the centre the centre and spent about 10days of serious hard work. Their coming brought a lot of fun and excitement AND plenty face lift at the centre. It was heart waring to see this dedicated groups of special people engaging in physical work, labouring to make a mark. Which they undoubtedly made. Seeing them getting down to mixing paint, getting their hands (and body) messed up with paint - for the sake improving the centre was admirable indeed. SA Flag on the front wall - new paint in the whole centre - hall and offices says it all. Thanks to Michael who assisted in setting up this blog! His dedication is indeed praiseworthy. We look forward in welcoming you all in your next visit again.

How can we forget our FRIENDS OF BRIDGMAN from Hinsdale Illinois? Thom and the team your annual dedication to the life of the centre is outstandingly remarkable. It was heartwarming to have you spice up and inject new life at Bridgman. The manse (cottage) and many parts of the centre look sparkling new because of your efforts. Our Kids talk about going to the US one day and meeting their friends. We look forward in welcoming you in your next visit again.

We are proud that we have managed closing the gap between the centre and the church.

We are also elated at the appointment of the temporary Bridgman Board - Central Regional Officers - which is actually temporary and will see to the appointment of the full board soon. We cannot end this section without thanking the ever committed Ms Zamambo Mkhize who worked as a solo member - in difficult situations to ensure that the work at the centre continued.

Thanks to the commitment of the programme volunteers - who have given of themselves to the work at the centre. Sad to say that we have lost three of our facilitators - Thabiso Montsho, Thabo Mokoka and Phumzile, but happy that Bridgman has built a character in each one of them They have been fortunate to find permanent appointments elsewhere - with money of course. Especially the first two - Thabiso your six years or so at Bridgman is much appreciated. We will forever remember your contributions in building the characters of the kids. (Eyi eyi eyi ! - scream still echoes in the wall. Thabo, my PA. Will miss your your administrative skills and your dedication the entire well being of the work in Bridgman. Phumzile - you short stay is truly appreciated. IN your soft voice you made loud impressions! YES WE HAVE LOST THESE THREE.

Thanks to the remaining staff who have continued to be stretched in filling in the gap left by the three. Keep it up.

Amongst other notable events:

1. Enzani electrical donated a special form of renovation to the centre. They face lifted our bathrooms. Replaced the entire old toilet systems with brand news ones and painted the the whole block. We will be officially recognising this work soon.

2. ABSA bank chose us as a centre to acknowledge the work senior citizens (retirees) have contributed. They held two functions for them at the centre. We hope this is just the beginning of good relationship between the us and them

3. We continue to serve the needs of the community and for this we are delighted.

4. Our relationship with Thulani Primary School is growing in leaps and bounces. A lot is in store. Watch the space.

May I, as the director of the centre wishes all of you a Merry Christmas. May we in all our festivities remember that Christmas is about Christ

Happy Birthday Tshiamo

One of ours - had a his 10th Birthday celebrated in style.  Tshiamo's parents did not want it to be a family and friends celebration.  They invited ALL the Bridgman kids to be part of the festivities.  We all gathered and celebrated with Tshiamo..  Song music and dance were the order of the day. 

GASA team members

Elders' place of physical and social encounter

Some of the 16 ladies

We have mentioned previously that Bridgman Centre is not only a place for the young and able but for the matured and willing.   This group of elder citizens of our community refuse to let go of the opportunity the centre has presented to them.  This opportunity allows them to come together to do physical exercises, share their own stories  (South Africans are well-known for their story telling - oral tradition) which transcends generations.   Recently they have started sharing a cup of tea and do some minor hand works - to showcase their abilities in sewing, knitting and simply coaching each other in some house chores.  We hope to engage them in sharing some of their stories with our aftercare kids.  Watch the space.

These ladies refuse to just stay at home and wait for their children and grandchildren to come back from work or schools.  Mrs 'MaNtuli' Radebe one of the ladies - the most outspoken one - says "I still have lots to do and to give to others.  I am not going to stay at home and let those 'gifts' rust" 

Watch the next Soweto marathon - you might see some of the faces there !!!    Bafana Bafana (SA National soccer team) be careful - you might have Bogogo Bogogo football team becoming a force to be recknoned - taking your lime light if you are not carel

AFTERCARE PROGRAMME

PREAMBLE

We cater for kids aged 6 – 13. They come to the centre when they finish their school day.  Our programmes run from 14h30 to 17h00.   We do however have warm up activities for those who come in earlier.    Our programme includes the following:-

1.       Bible Study

We are a Christian Centre and all our After Care programmes are as far as possible based on the themes taken from the Bible.

We believe that kids understand the Bible better when the stories are presented as a time for special snack - kids literally ‘eat up bible verses’. The kids are encouraged to play with food, and at the same time incorporating message of the scripture of the day. The main reason for the special snack is to bring the kids closer to GOD in a fun and interactive way. Another important factor is the weekly messages that the kids have to try and apply in their lives. All this is done through the snack, food, praise songs, bible activities and bible stories.                                                                   
 

2.       Recreation

Recreational activities are much helpful in getting kids educated through participation in their usual activities. The contents of these activities are put together with extreme care.   The activities are planned to align with the weekly themes, as far as possible.   This helps the kids a lot in knowing and remembering various verses.  Recreational activities also assist in loosening up the kids for some life skills exercises.  The other benefit is to build up friendship among them.  

3.       Pre Activity

Pre-activity is collection of warm up activities for the kids who arrive early.  As soon as we have at least 4 kids we engaged them in activities.  We would at this time check if they have homework and then assist them while the rest of the kids trickle in.  Pre-activity time gives kids option to choose what game they want to play as well. 

4.       Computers

We teach kids Basic Computers Skills like computer literacy and typing skill.  Each kid gets his/her own educational game as well as computer fun games.  Kids find joy in working on the computers.  We have observed that once they master certain skills they don’t lose it.  The software that the kids use helps them to understand and know how to interact with computers, a skill that will come in very handy for them in future. Because of the limitation computers and computer lessons, we divide the kids into groups and each child gets a chance to sit a computer alone.
Bridgman Centre is placed in a poorer neighbourhood.  The kids would not under normal circumstance be exposed to computers at home. Our kids are exposed to this rare opportunity of sharpening their skills in this challenging technological world.     

5.       What is craft?

Craft is the use of skills and imagination in the creation of different objects. It is a skill that can be used practically.  One person imagines it, another hand makes it.  Pieces of old materials are old papers are used in creating our crafts products.  This also teaches kids to be aware of recycling paper and plastics.  This becomes they way of contributing towards prevention of global warming.   

Every child will imagine something different, they will each see a huge variety of images which create a visual introduction to the different discipline within craft and collectively, each maker works in a different way, the materials includes; plastic, toilet rolls, clay, papers etc.

Craft is all about using your hands, our aim of doing craft is to gain skills and to be able to do craft with aesthetic object; so that they will be able to do craft on their own while they are at home, and teach they peers as well.  Without buying expensive recourses /materials we re-used (recycle) materials.

6.       Fun Activity

Fun Activity is a combination of various fun and educational activities such as Math, English and Science.  We call it fun because we want instil in the children’s minds that learning is fun.
The aim of Fun Activity is

·         To educate the kids in a fun way.

·         To create the culture of learning and reading.

·         To increase their level of self esteem.  

·         To help the kids improve their academic results and skills such as reading, counting and writing.

We assist kids by asking them questions based on their school grades as well as on their ability to learn and the stage of learning which the child is at.   On Mondays we do Maths questions, Tuesday we do English and Wednesday we normally have Silent reading. Silent reading seeks to assist the kids to be able to read and it also gives them confidence when doing oral reading in front of their peers. It also tests their comprehension skills.  On Thursday is a ‘random day.’  We prepare either English or Maths and the kids have the choice of what they want to do or the facilitators choose this based on the child’s educational need.

7.       Movies

Every Friday the kids watch movies, and we try by all means to match it with the theme of the week.  After watching a movie we ask them questions on how they found the story, the message and what lesson they have learnt.  

The main purpose of the movie is to test their memory. This session gives them the opportunity to wind off the week and usher them to the weekend.  

8.       Life Skills

We teach life skills in order to engage in the child’s life and to inform them about what happens to them in their daily life.  It also teaches them how to make the right choices in life even at this early stage of their lives because this will help them make the right choice in life.  We also teach them general skills of knowledge such as being responsible and how to look after themselves, community and environment. 

The aim of life skills is to be more involved in the child’s life so that the child can be open enough to talk about any situation they come across and feel protected and loved.