SANParks.org Forums

This is soooo awesome!

I wasn't sure of what was in the pipeline when I popped in for a visit, but I am overjoyed that some of the things that I thought were the most needed are already on their way!

Thanks to everybody who has opened their hearts for these kids in some way and it doesn't matter if it is by gift or deed, big or small. Not only are they being given a great start in life, they are being kept out of trouble as we know that the devil finds work for idle hands.

The young girl who is "teaching" them (I can't remember her name) is studying while she is working with the kids and it is really hard for her too having to attend classes in Upington so far away as well. I pray that she also gets some assistance/ support to enable her to reach her desire to qualify as a nursery school teacher. She is so excited about the future of the school.

Jannie and Vanessa, you put your heart and soul into that park and the surrounding areas, and it shows! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The school looks fantastic!
Jannie and Vanessa and all the people who've made it possible give yourselves a HUGE pat on the back.

Rookie, I couldn't of said it better... Thank you

To save me the trouble of sending the same PM repeatedly, I decided on rather posting how it works. As the project got going, things have settled down in a certain pattern which seems to be working very well.

At the head of the Project is obviously Jannie and Vanessa who started this from scratch.

Everybody wanted to help but doing it in a haphazard way was no good idea. Then things go wrong and accusations start flying around like I did more than that, I donated this, I'm responsible for the project....etc. Not what the HR's, VHR's or Jannie and Vanessa want. So I agreed to pull all the loose ends together on paper, well, the net.

I'm just the middle man doing the . Lion Queen, an HR from Upington with a real passion for the Kalahari, it's people and Kgalagadi, is my "boss". We're in daily contact. She tells me when there's been a post that something is being donated and I need to go have a look and contact the donator. That's the reason you'll be receiving a hopefully friendly PM requesting for info on what you sent or are sending to Tsammaland.

What happens to that info? I keep a spreadsheet which is shared with EVERYBODY who indicated they want to
be involved in the Project and the Moderators, on which the name of the donator, items and how many of each item was sent. That way Jannie and Vanessa know what they have, what to expect etc.

I'm often asked exactly what you need to send me. If you're donating books or clothes, simply say 50 books or 10 bags of clothing. That's enough. Same with other items in large quantities. Keep it simple.

Enter the guys who REALLY do all the work - Scouter, ctv4 and Lion Queen. They are responsible for getting the items to Tsammaland in some way or the other. So if you want to know how to get something there, they are the ones to contact.

Money matters go through the Give 'n Gain site. I have NOTHING to do with that - I leave that in the capable safe hands of JenB. So if you want to donate a cash amount, contact her for the link as there are many of those under the SanParks name and you wouldn't want it to go to the wrong project. JenB lets me know when a donation has been made and how much.

If anybody else wants to get involved in any way, please contact any of the people I mentioned above. You don't need to go through me, I'm not the main organizer. To me there are none but Jannie and Vanessa. This is a Forum project run via the HR's and VHR's. No secrets, nothing underhand, just a bunch of people that care about Kgalagadi.

Thanks GP for keeping all the "paper work" in order............

Lovely to see how this is growing!!!

@ GP,

Thanks to you and Scouter from behind the scenes in making this work, then a VERY SPECIAL thanks to all who have donated and even took some time to go and visit the kids at the school. The kids are so happy to meet you and know that there are people who still care in this world.

To all the contributors of goodies for the school, you are all a special breed of people who gives because you want to make life easier for others.

THANKS SO MUCH FROM US AND THE PARANTS.

The open invitation still stands that when you are in Twee Rivieren, PLEASE feel free to visit the school and see what has been done.

KG

Txs GP and LQ

Thanks for all the info GP.

I will try to keep a better record of anything I send next time.

It would be really nice if we could get an updated "wanted" list or if we could get one of those "fund meters" on the site for the bigger things that possibly will take a bit longer to collect funding for.

I get such a thrill from being able to shop for the kids even though I don't have millions to spare because I saw what they are making with the things and also had the chance to chat to them about what they enjoy doing.

Seeing as most of us have access to the internet, maybe we could submit some ideas for crafts or things to make, like a recipe book syle, indicating what you would need to make the goodie and how to make it.
I gave them the suggestion of making something similar to a piggy bank using a balloon and papier mache and for that they would need balloons, newspapaer, water and glue/ paste, paints for decorating etc. There are numerous web sites wiht crafting info.

Anyway, just my 10c worth.

Thanks again to everybody involved.

Ah, don't worry about it Rookie. It's not the end of the world!

Thanks for the suggestions. Sounds good to me. Will definitely look into them tomorrow as I have a day off from work.

As requested, a list of donations received by Tsammaland to date. :-D Names of donators omitted for Privacy reasons.

Educational games/puzzles
Big Paintbrushes
Cookie cutters
Stickers
Assorted Craft items
Colouring books
Play doughs
Mats
Rolling pins
Cookie Cutters
Sucker Sticks to build things with
Kids' Scissors
Glitter Glue craft sets
12 pack Wax Crayons
Glue Sticks
12 pack Pencil Crayons
24 pack Pencil Crayons
Carpets
Clothing
Scarves, beanies, Gloves
Artist apron set
Ice-cream sticks
Super Art Set (Crayons/Rubber/Sharpener/Waterpaint/etc)
Pipe Cleaners
Finger Puppets Felt
Interlinking ABC floor mat puzzle
Plastic Play mats
Colouring-in Pads
Craft pipe cleaner sets
Glitter Glue Set
“Confetti” in different colours and shapes
Elastic Bands
Round reinforcements
Boxes of chalk
Tables
Mattresses
Quilts and covers for the mattresses
An Aircon unit
Computers (6)
Printer
Curtains
Laptop
Various cash donations for use as seen fit by Vanessa and Jannie

Wow, thanks GP.

Now all they really need is more space!!

@Rookie,

That is a fact....but we are working on that one, just need to get technical department to assist with the extra motorhome and get it to the school

Quick Update.

Thanks to Scouter which brought the goodies. Her Landy was seriously packed.

Thanks to all who have contributed and to Scouters mom who has made the covers etc for the mattresses.







THANKS AGAIN TO ALL INVOLVED

To each and everyone involved

Leana

Oh wow! Wish I could've seen the little faces when they got to school this morning! Thanks Scouter and to your mum as well!!