August 2024 The El Theos Centre Newsletter The El Theos Centre’s August 2024 newsletter opens with a message of thanks to friends, partners, sponsors, and supporters whose generosity has made a meaningful impact on the community. The newsletter specifically thanks Teach Love Care Network, Parow Police Services, VRCID, Soiltech, La Froggies Family, HUAMBO, Kyrios Transformation Centre, Van De Berg Property, the Labuschagne Family, and Lee-Ann (UNISA). The message describes this support as vital to the centre’s mission and expresses deep gratitude for the role these partners continue to play. Education support The newsletter reports that four children were successfully enrolled back in school and were provided with uniforms and stationery. It also states that one street child was placed in a rehabilitation centre for a year because of the complexity of the child’s situation. The monthly cost for that rehabilitation placement is listed as 2,500 Rand. The newsletter also notes that the centre’s social worker is actively communicating with school principals to help ensure the children receive support throughout the year. Community assistance The August update highlights several forms of practical support delivered to vulnerable families and children. According to the newsletter, the centre distributed 50 food parcels to vulnerable families and served meals to 1,430 individuals at the centre. The organisation also provided clothing to 63 vulnerable children and supported them in making more than 40 blankets to help keep warm during the cold weather. The newsletter adds that children were equipped with complete uniforms and all necessary stationery so they could begin their school journey with confidence. Ongoing impact The newsletter says that ongoing support from donors and partners remains crucial to helping the centre make a meaningful difference in the lives of those it serves. It closes with thanks to the community for helping the organisation move toward its goals.

July 2024 The El Theos Centre Newsletter The El Theos Centre’s July 2024 newsletter shows a strong focus on compliance, sustainability, and consistent service to vulnerable children and families. Over the past three months, the centre worked to streamline its operations and strengthen its foundation for long-term impact. A major part of this effort was completing and advancing important compliance requirements, including a fire clearance certificate, a certificate of acceptability for food premises, and an environmental health certificate. The newsletter presents these steps as part of a wider strategy to build trust, improve service delivery, and support responsible management.   Strategic path The centre describes its work as “Transforming Holistically Thru Education Outreach & Social Network,” and says it is committed to safe, sustainable, and effective community support. It also expresses gratitude to donors, partners, friends, and supporters for their ongoing commitment. The newsletter mentions recent projects shown in photos and says the organisation is excited about the future of The El Theos Centre. Its message is clear: the centre aims to respond to immediate needs with compassion while creating lasting positive change. Community activities Several activities were highlighted as part of the centre’s work with children and families. These included a Run for a Child fundraising event, a Holiday Club for children during school holidays, and a Career Day to help children imagine future opportunities. The newsletter also reports direct practical support for children and families. This included nutritional support, clothing assistance, food parcels, and raincoats for children so they could safely attend school in adverse weather. Impact numbers The newsletter says the centre served 4,224 nutritious meals to children attending the centre. It also provided clean clothes and shoes to 25 children, distributed 20 food parcels to families in need, and gave raincoats to children for school access in bad weather. In addition, the centre took in three children from the streets and placed them in a safe creche environment where they receive daily care and education. The children named in the newsletter are Junior, Marcus, and Jolene, who had previously been living in neglect and abuse. Foundation and support The final page frames the work as “laying strong foundation” for the future. The newsletter says the centre depends on financial, material, and strategic support to continue delivering services and building a better future for children. Supporters mentioned in the newsletter include Teach Love Care Network, Soiltech, VRCID, Parow Police Station, Kyrios Transformation Centre, La Froggies Family, On the Edge, Rooipeper Ministries, the Labuschagne family, and Lee-Ann (UNISA).

December 2022 The El Theos Centre Newsletter The El Theos Centre’s December 2022 update reflects a year of growth, care, and community support. During 2022, the centre moved into a new venue, received donations that helped make the space feel like home, and completed all building compliance requirements. New items such as a fridge, stove, and office furniture made daily work easier for the volunteers responsible for cooking and administration. The Christmas party was a major success, lunch was provided, and children were presented with certificates. At the same time, the centre also faced painful loss, as children were lost due to ongoing violence in the community. The organisation supported parents and families with arrangements and burials during these difficult moments. Outreach and support The newsletter highlights The El Theos Centre’s focus on “Transforming Holistically Thru Education, Outreach & Social Network.” Its drop-in centre continued to provide a safe space for children in need of care, while also offering family strengthening, nutritional support, education, and hygiene and health assistance. The centre also expanded its network with schools, hospitals, law enforcement, police, Badisa, and other institutions in order to deliver services more consistently and effectively. The newsletter states that increased productivity in 2022 helped the organisation better prioritise tasks for vulnerable street children attending the drop-in centre. Impact in numbers With generous support from donors and partners, the centre was able to serve more than 80 meals daily to children attending the centre. From August to December, 5,463 meals were served and 360 food parcels were distributed to families. The newsletter says this consistency brought meaningful change to vulnerable street children and families who rely on the centre’s support. Education and confidence One of the centre’s highlighted programmes focused on self-confidence and self-respect. The newsletter explains that these qualities are important because they can reduce feelings of inferiority and fear when children interact with others or take on challenges. The education update also shared encouraging school results. Of 75 children reported on, none had failed, and the centre urged support for January 2023 school needs including stationery, uniforms, shoes, and bags for 200 children. Thanks to supporters The El Theos Centre expressed gratitude to the organisations, churches, families, and individuals who helped throughout 2022 with food, gifts, and donations for functions. Those thanked in the newsletter include Teach Love Care Network, NGK Church Parow North, Kyrios, VRCID, MES, On The Edge, Woensdag Vroue Group, the Labuschagne family, Lee-Ann UNISA, Bev from View Church, and Pastor Rebecca Zaera. The newsletter frames Christmas as a time to remember both the gift of Jesus and the gift of people who support the work of the centre in many forms.