Christmas Lights Switched On

On Friday 5th December the Christmas lights were switched on in Aberdeen.

Father Christmas handed out sweets and gifts to the children.

This event was attended by the Mayor.

Article By:
Joan Tinker

Aberdeen Garden Club Christmas Gathering

On Thursday 4th December, the members of Aberdeen Garden Club met for a morning tea and early lunch. Here the club bid farewell to the outgoing chairperson Annie Featherstone. This event was held at Pagel House, where Lynn Dugmore kindly made available, her beautiful garden, surrounded by green lawns and enormously shady trees. This setting was more like a garden party, with the florally decorated garden hats of the members, and the tables set under the trees for tea and lunch.
Annie was presented with a book of press cuttings kept over the years, which represented all of Annie’s and Tony Featherstone’s community activities in Aberdeen. This gift was a sincere ‘thank you’ to Annie, who has made this club and all it’s successful activities over the past year, one of her main priorities.
A new committee was elected, with Annie agreeing to be a serving member. The club will meet again later in the New Year.

Article By: Joan Tinker

A.B.E.T. Learners Receive Certificates

A celebration of heartwarming academic achievement was acknowledged by The Adult Basic Education Satellite Centre, in the Kamdebo Primary School Hall, in Lotusville on Wednesday 3rd December. These hard won diplomas were presented to adults of between 30-50 years of age, who before entering this program, could neither read nor write. Diplomas were also presented to young adults, now equipped with advanced training in tourism and environmental studies, for hard work and dedication.
For these adults denied a formal education, due to poverty, or distance from schools, or the necessity to work and put food on the table at an early age, the ability to read and write is a “god-send”.
For these ‘formally-uneducated’ people, who sell newspapers without being able to read them, for those who are unable to draw money from an A.T.M., unable to sign for their pension, read letters from their children, or assist them with their homework. For those who cannot read books, notices, or road signs, or the labels on tinned food, A.B.E.T. is their savior. Classes are taught in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.
The A.B.E.T. Educators in this area of Aberdeen, Mrs Jillian Rafferty being the Supervisor, are dedicated instructors, who are devoted to assisting people in the communities of Aberdeen, Lotusville and Thembalisizwe to upgrade themselves.The educators go into the communities, seeking out these disadvantaged people, and for three afternoons of every week, they work tirelessly to give their learners basic skills.
The task of the educator is to bring the level of education to a Level 4, which is the equivalent of Grade 9, and they regularly attend workshops to keep themselves updated on education.
Mr Mintoor, who was the M.C. at this occasion, instructs learners how to operate a computer. This skill, gives the young adult learners a necessary basic advantage in the general workplace.
Mr Safers, of Kamdebo Primary School, declared that there was ‘no-excuse’ for children not to work hard at school.
Ms Shirley Jaftha, the Centre Manager from Graaff-Reinet, gave an inspirational talk. She told of a priest who was now able to read his own Bible. She sincerely hoped that A.B.E.T. would assist in breaking this cycle of ‘no education’.
Mr May. the Graaff-Reinet Coordinator, explained that the A.B.E.T. program would be expanding next year, if it continues to be successful. This program would go beyond Level 4, and studying would be assisted by means of tapes and cassettes. Mr May told the learners, this program was a government priority, as specified by the President of South Africa.
This inspiring occasion was brought to a close by the singing of Christmas carols, by candlelight.

Article By: Joan Tinker