Hands on Technologies received its 5th consignment of Charity Boxes at the end of October 2011.  It was the largest consignment totalling 600 boxes (400 DUPLO and 200 LEGO).  The boxes were delivered to Hands on Technologies and stored in our warehouse. ( See 2011 )
 
Charities, institutions and organisations submit requests for donations of charity boxes throughout the year. We were happy to distribute these boxes to more than 36 worthy institutions and causes.  This year approximately 16 000 children were exposed to the LEGO Charity boxes in one way or another. Distribution took place during November/December 2011 and January 2012.
Below are the names of some of the organisations that received donations:

Report back from some of the organisations that received Charity Boxes

 
1. Early Learning for South African Children

 Lego Charity boxes were donated and distributed to 7 ECD homes and crèches in the Hillbrow area.  There are approximately 700 children who attend these centres and range from ages 12 months to 9 years. 

 The owners of the crèches are all qualified ECD trained teachers and their staff undergo ongoing training.  This donation of Lego to Scatterlings aided crèches supports the programme we run – learning through play. Scatterlings provides curriculum and curriculum content and relies heavily on donations for all teaching aids, toys and learning materials.

The durability of a product like Lego is very important in a centre with previously disadvantaged children as there is little or no funding to replace broken learning aids. The Lego enables us to show our children shapes and colours are not static, we can use the Lego to demonstrate 3D. We can now improve the children’s creativity as only paper and crayons is very limiting, as the teachers build with the children they count the blocks, discuss the colours. For crèches with only paper, crayons, balls and some soft toys this donation of Lego is going to have a very significant impact on our curriculum implementation.

2. Paul Williams
Cell  +2772 385 5290  paulinrussia@gmail.com

The PIR (Paul in Russia)

3. Ikamva Labantu

The Lego sets will certainly make a huge difference in the classrooms of the severely under-resources pre-schools in the townships and bring hours of learning, play and joy for hundreds of children. The value of training the teachers in using blocks to facilitate learning and play has proven invaluable. The majority of teachers never had an opportunity to play with blocks and did not understand the value of it. The feedback that we have received from the teachers is phenomenal and they are amazed to see the tremendous value of Lego in their classrooms.

4. Bushveld Complex Social Development Organisation (BCSDO)

Bushveld Complex Social Development Organisation (BCSDO) is an organisation
formed and managed by entrepreneurs who want to make a difference within
South Africa.

BCSDO was a very fortunate and blessed in 2011. We were the recipient of 24 Charity boxes of Duplo and 8 Charity
Boxes of Lego from Hands On Technologies (Lego Education).  This enabled BCSDO to carry out our mission with even more vigor and to end the year on a favourable note.  The members of BCSDO made the conscientious deciosn to distribute the Charity Boxes in line with our organisation’s ideals and Project selection criteria.  We chose to utilize the charity  boxes in a mixed fashion.  To some beneficiaries, we distributed the products as “toys” whilst with others we wanted to ensure the donation made was a sustainable initiative.  For the recipients of the sustainable initiatives we chose to defer the distribution until the project details were finalized.

Children's Hospitals / Wards
It is very easy to forget the less fortunate during the festive season.  For Christmas 2011 we decided to focus on not only the economically challenged but also on children that found themselves in situations they had no control over.  We made strategic distributions of the LEGO / DUPLO packs to children at the following hospital.

Paediatric Ward at Prince Masheni Hospital in Umlazi (Durban) Albert Luthuli hospital Paediatric Oncology Ward Crossmoor Children’s Home International Association for Human Values (IAHV) Durban and Coastal Mental Health Vianney Children’s Home Welbedacht Community

The deferred distribution was given to schools at
the beginning of 2012.  The recipients of the charity were:

1. Millview Primary
2. St Christopher’s School (Grade R)
3. Welbedacht Community

 
5. Khanimamba Training and Resource Centre Family Integrated ECD Programme

This project aims to reach children who are not enrolled in an ECD Centre and provide them with relevant stimulation to enhance their development. Eight facilitators work with 80 identified families in 3 communities, increasing their capacity to care for their children and themselves.
We have received a donation of 10 boxes of Lego games from Hands on Technology. We were referred by Guilian of Jim Joel fund to this donor. The toys were divided into the 90 toy and book mobile library bags/containers. These Lego toys have added value to the toys and books we had received from other donors. These will enhance numeracy, science and technology in the learning of these young children.

 Contact person:  Melanie Hodgson

The training session and handover of the Lego to Durban Deep Primary School

Everyone had a great time at the teacher training held at Hands on Technologies offices.  When handing over the boxes to the headmistress (left of me in the picture) and the Deputy headmistress , it was emphasized that the implementation of the training is key to the successful use of the product. They affirmed that they would ensure that the product is put to good use and looked after.

The social worker, Grace Jacobs , will take note during her regular visits to the school as to how they are progressing. She will take some photos of the children using the product next time.

Many many thanks to all of you for the donation of the Lego as well as the free training – it will surely make a big difference to the children. As the teachers were excited about the product, I am sure this has a good chance of succeeding.

7. Diepsloot Pre-School and Mother Touch Academy in Diepsloot township

A total of 10 DUPLO and 10 LEGO boxes were delivered to the two different pre-schools in Diepsloot. The schools cater for learners up to Grade R.  Both pre-schools are supported by the Zinzinani school.  The teachers at these pre-schools will receive training on how to use the charity boxes in their educational programme. Contact:  Jake Scott, 071-186-5539 jake@zizanani.co.za

8. Thingo Kids Pre-school in Cosmo City

	We, at Play-with-a-Purpose, would like to thank you sincerely for your donation of Lego blocks to Thingo Kids in Cosmo City, a Play-with-a-Purpose franchise. Lego is great for developing fine motor skills and also imaginative play. As you can see from the pictures, the children are really enjoying playing with them.  Training at Thingo Kids took place with Linda Mtwana and her staff at the end of March with a follow up training in April.  Thingo Kids has agreed to on-going training as they have experienced and seen the benefits of using LEGO in their teaching and learning. Contact:  Robyn Wienand    robyn@playwithapurpose.co.za

9. Joe Slovo Centre of Excellence

	This centre partners with Bosmont Church and Lorraine Cockrill and focuses on empowering the lives of the disadvantaged community of Slovo Park.  Most of the children that attend this centre reside in informal settlements. LEGO charity boxes were donated to the centre and training was given to the assistants.  These teaching techniques were then taken back to the centre and the children were lucky enough to be the recipients of this teaching and learning.
In this picture, the young lady standing on the side, bending down, with the cap on is studying Transportation Management, and tried to utilise practically some of her theory with her group.

LEGO CHARITY BOX TRAINING - 2012

Saturday 14th                    Ukajede Trust Non-Profit Organization Number 037-504 Ukajede is an acronym for five informal settlements, namely: Ulana, Kanana, Angelo, Jerusalem & Delmore, all located in the east of Johannesburg. These settlements have an estimated total population of 80 000 inhabitants living in crude shacks without any sewerage, electricity, running water, garbage collection, healthcare or schools. A large percentage of these shacks house families with no adults. Nine crèches have been built and uplifted, to provide warmth, comfortable educational environment for the children to learn in. They now have running water and proper toilet facilities.  Of those nine crèches, four have been formally registered with and recognized by the Gauteng Department of Education.  18 Teachers were trained on using the Charity Box is their classrooms and in their teaching.

Monday 20th                    Springvale Primary Springvale Primary School is located in Centurion, Gauteng.  This is a large school catering for children from Grade R – 7.  2012 was the first year that this school had a Grade R class.  Currently 2 classes are housed in containers with very little funding.  2 Teachers were trained to use the contents of the Charity boxes. Monday 27th           Durban Deep Primary School Durban Deep is situated in Roodepoort and supports children from under privileged homes.  The school has over 800 learners, many of whom are housed in mobile classrooms. 14 teachers were trained in using the Charity Boxes in the Foundation Phase.  The teachers are excited to use the LEGO products and will be monitored by a social worker and school management.

Friday 23rd             Active Learning Libraries Active Learning Libraries aims to positively promote the development of active learning toy and leisure libraries that will provide an environment of equal opportunity in support of the right of each individual (ALL) to reach his or her potential.  Based in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, Active Learning Libraries invites schools to bring their learners to play or to borrow toys thus encouraging learning through play. 6 people were trained.

Wednesday 28th      Thingo Crèche Thingo is a newly built crèche and is a franchise of Play with a Purpose.  The crèche is located in the Cosmo City Township and caters for children from 2 years to 6 years old.  Even though parents are expected to pay minimum school fees, the crèche relies on outside funding.  3 Teachers were trained at their school.

Thursday 12th                   Seniors without Borders In April a group of 5 delegates from ‘Seniors without Borders’ visited Hands on Tech to learn how the Charity Boxes are implemented in outreach programmes – specifically in Africa.  Besides visiting various projects in Gauteng, they also participated in two charity box training sessions.  Through this training, the delegates hoped to learn how to use the Charity Boxes in Aids Education, trauma counselling and general education.

May

Tuesday 15th          Mother Touch Academy – Diepsloot The Jungle Tots Mother Touch Academy was born out of a need to provide pre-school and educational services to children in the impoverished Diepsloot community. Many parents receive grants that barely cover their living expenses and schooling is an expense that seems out of reach. They cater for over 130 children ranging from babies to 6 year olds.  7 teachers were trained in a session held at their school.   Tuesday 29th          Play with a Purpose Franchise Play with a Purpose is a franchise open to any individual who wants to open a nursery school.  This training session was held for all the principals of the various schools.  35 people attended this training session.    Thursday 31st                   SOS Children’s Village The SOS Children's Village's South Africa is a private, charitable, social development organisation. It is politically and denominationally independent, and is an affiliated member of SOS-Kinderdorf International. This organisation takes action for orphaned and abandoned children by building and strengthening families for them to live in and grow with love, security and respect. 10 Teachers and assistants were trained at the HOT offices.