Winter, World Cup and Working for Charity

Winter made its arrival felt two days ago when the temperatures plummeted and suddenly winter woolies had to be pulled out of mothballs!

I felt really sorry for World Cup fans who had to be at the match in Cape Town on Monday night when the temperature was down to 7deg. I am told that most came prepared for the weather and as everything was so well organized they had a great time. Brrrrrr.

With the cold weather in mind the ladies are knitting up a storm at the Homes and blankets and beanies are being churned out at a fantastic rate to distribute to the needy this winter.

Lyn Bourne has knitted an amazing 46 beanies for the children of the Mbongolwane creche and two staff members have helped her to make tiny sweaters for the Aids babies.

Goodness knits all the time and her novel creations are snapped up by visitors to the Thursday morning teas. This quaint Zulu mama doll with her baby on her back is selling like hot cakes.

Maggie, a talented lady from Richards Bay comes often to entertain the residents in the lounge by playing the piano.

The lovely large flat screen TV , donated by friends of the home has made viewing a pleasure and special video evenings are being planned. (Don't forget the popcorn!)

I snapped these pictures on Monday after the craft morning, Maggie was playing the piano and everyone was sitting knitting or reading or just listening to the music.

In the words of the poet, If winter comes, can spring be far behind?"

Easter Celebration Tea 25th March,2010

Residents and friends enjoyed such a lovely tea in the garden at

the Homes this morning.

The weather was absolutely glorious and guests mingled and shopped

and then sat down to a delicious tea .

Everything was beautifully arranged, from the pretty flowers on the tables

to the table groaning with tasty treats.

The crafters had been hard at work and were rewarded when shoppers queued up for their wares. About R2000.00 overall was raised towards the car fund.

Some of the ladies had made such an effort in creating their easter bonnets that the judge was hard pressed to find a winner. Joy Lovell Shippy won the prize with her lovely hydrangea

creation.

New website

12th March,2010

We have a new website!

Have a look at http://www.zululandhomeseshowe.co.za/ . We would like to hear any comments and suggestions.

The Homes were visited recently by Baillie and his handler Vivien from Paws for People

Dogs are very sensitive to human needs and this lovely animal has been specially trained to provide therapy for people in need. Paul says he was absolutely marvellous with the residents especially those with mental and physical impairement. He seemed to sense their need and they responded so well to him. Happily Baillie will be visiting the Homes regularly in future

If you would like to find out more about this organization go to http://www.pawsforpeople.co.za/

Easter Celebration 25th March, 2010

Tickets are available at R15.00 each and the price includes refreshments.

The pretty easter egg tickets were specially made for the occasion in a craft session at the Homes.

On offer will be all sorts of home crafted items for Easter and there will be a prize for the best Easter Bonnet!

The Knick Knack Shop will be open with plenty of bargains for all.

On a final note I do wish more people would volunteer to hold craft sessions at the Homes. The residents are so appreciative and eager to learn new things and the mornings are fun and very rewarding.

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Can you believe its 2010!

The long awaited year 2010 is here at last and I think everyone has the same wish for this year, that the Soccer World Cup will be a great success and that it will be the huge money spinner this country so desperately needs. Lets hope the profits are fairly spread and that the poor do benefit .

For the Homes the year has already started well as the Frail section is full and there is only one double flat vacant in Poynton Lodge.

Now that the bedrooms have all been redecorated we have started fundraising for a car to replace the ancient skadoink which Elliot the driver manages to keep going. The car is no longer in a fit state to carry passengers and is mainly used to collect mail, do banking and to fetch medicines and shopping for the residents. We are also in need of some new outdoor furniture as we are upgrading the verandah adjoining the craft room.

We need volunteers to help with craft mornings sometimes. It needn't be ongoing, even one morning would help.

We also need volunteers to sew or knit in their own time, easy things we can sell for a modest profit. If we have enough offers we will start a monthly sewing get together which could be fun

We are planning another open garden party before Easter on Thursday 25th March. This will be

a fun morning with competitions and prizes and lots of goodies to buy for the holiday weekend

More about this nearer the time.

In the meantime don't forget the Knick Knack Shop which is always open on Thursday mornings and by request the rest of the time. The Sister in charge is happy to open for keen shoppers.

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Christmas Tea Party at the Homes

The Homes have been on the receiving end this year of many, many kind and generous gifts and donations from friends both in Eshowe and as far afield as Richards Bay.
We wanted to say thank you and so this morning
Friends of the Homes joined the Residents in the garden
to enjoy a special Christmas Tea. The morning was warm if not too sunny and people were able to relax and mingle and shop.
The Resident's seasonal goodies were in great demand and business was brisk. The Knick Knack shop was crowded with customers, old and new and there were bargains for all.
One resident told me how much they all appreciate the visitors coming to have tea and to socialize. She said it really does them good!
It is heartwarming to know the Homes have so many kind and loving friends in the Community.

A big thank you to Manager Linda and her staff who worked hard setting the scene and organizing the delicious tea.
Linda has worked tirelessly for the Homes since she started a few months ago and she not only cares for the residents but involves herself in the decor and also inspires the crafters with her novel ideas and creativity.

Christmas Preparations

23rd october 2009

The Craft group have been very busy this month making Christmas decorations and cards. These little felt creations have a dual use, send the card with your own message inside and your friend will have an ornament to hang on her tree which will remind her of you for years to come.Also in the pipeline are some special Christmas crackers, straw angels and other handmade gifts. These will all be on sale on November 26th when we welcome friends of the Homes to a festive Christmas Tea as a special thank you to them for all their efforts towards improving the Homes and the lives of the Residents. The invitations will be on their way soon.

The Knick Knack Shop will be open that day and on sale will be a collection of Vintage costume jewellery, just in time for that special Christmas gift.

With the Festive season in mind we also offer two designer evening dresses and a beautiful fur stole, ideal for glamorous nights!!

The Shop is open every Tuesday and Thursday mornings so do come in and see us.

Art Exhibition

Eshowe's annual Art Exhibition held 4-6th September was a resounding success and the Homes have received a donation of over R10,000 from the Art Society.

Our grateful thanks to Marion M and her team of enthusiastic artists who devote their time and energy each year to this worthwhile project.