The Novel Corona Virus News
It was around this time in January 2020 when I was relaxing and getting ready to go back into work full swing as our break was concluding. I must admit that one of my weaknesses is listening to current affairs around the globe. I heard rumours of a deadly virus in China which the CCP concealed from the rest of the world from knowing about it. It was all over mainstream media in no time. I immediately thought of how resilient we would have to be if this virus was to reach us. This intrigued me so much that I even added a banner on our website for people to find live stats. We had zero infections in South Africa. Did I have false hope that it wouldn’t get here? How could one prepare for resilience and hope?
Twelve months later, we have gone through all restriction levels and pushed back into level 3 as we talk about the second wave.
Hope Doesn’t Disappoint
Yet I want to talk about the second wave, not of despair, but hope. This hope undeferred will build on the premise that how we rallied around each other could be repeated. A higher degree of resolute minds weaving community with strands of deeds corded in love is all we need. Love responding to hope. Hope echoing faith. Faith blaring action. Action based on love.
We have numerous stories of hope, but to tell just a few over here. For instance, when we received immense prayer support for one of our students diagnosed with a heart ailment and was to undergo heart surgery. Today we can tell of the miraculous provision for her medical expenses which got fully covered by the South African government. Even though she is yet to go back for an operation, she remains visibly healthy.
Similarly, when our town was hit hard by the lockdown due to COVID-19, friends from far and wide jumped in. We had nothing short of a constant consignment of foodstuff to share beyond our Beats and Books families. It was incredible to witness.
A New Partnership is Born
When we learnt that our colleague Grace wasn’t able to return, we were faced with a huge mountain to climb as we had no immediate replacement. She directed the music department. Consequently, we suspended the music program partially because we were still learning and adapting to work in a pandemic. Heaven shone a light on us when we entered a partnership with the Samuel Vargas International Music Foundation. This US-based organisation has a heart to uplift communities and society through the power and influence of music. A perfect fit it was! Our Violins Against Violence (VAV) project students have since enjoyed receiving instructions via Zoom.
Thankful for Wifi!
Learning online meant we had to get wifi at the Beats and Books premises. We are indebted to friends who sponsored the installation!
When Partnerships Make Resilience Look Easy
Through our local partnering organisation, The Butterfly Foundation, it was possible to rent for 12 months. That enabled our Covid-Response efforts. Among other ways, the Grace Klein Community supported us by continued availing of their donation portals; making it conducive for us to receive tax-deductible donations in the US. The Leadership Experience (LXP) provided an unprecedented covering of our ministry and has been instrumental in sustaining our well-being as an organisation. Global Challenge offered a cohesive partnership to reckon. To sum it up concerning our partners, each of you plays an integral role in our mission to create environments where children thrive musically, intellectually and spiritually. Your impact traverses generations, geographical boundaries and affects our students, their families and our communities eternally.
Leaders Today and Tomorrow
In 2020 our students were selected for leadership at their schools: Two of them were head girls at their primary (middle) schools, respectively. A few others got nominated as ambassadors and prefects. Gladly, another two students received scholarships at the Global Leadership Academy – JBay (GLA). Also, another one is starting there this year.
Isabella Goes to America
Isabella Isaacsons managed to scoop a scholarship in Michigan, USA. She continues to do well with honours in her academics. We are so grateful for the scholarship that she received a few years back at GLA and all the support rendered through and beyond her schooling. Thank you to everyone that made going to university a possibility for Isabella.
Simamkele Finishes High School
Simamkele graduated from high school in 2020. She decided to serve for a year with us before she pursues further studies. What a gift! We are excited to journey with her through leadership development.
Hitting Progress
Our students have continued showing progress in their reading, writing and speaking, mathematical computations and musical prowess. We are not where we want to be, but we are sure of where we are heading.
Behaviour Issues
Partially attributable to the negative impact of the lockdown, some of our students exhibited challenging behaviours. We have retained more than 78% of our students who have shown positive growth and ascribe to our values.
So much to Look for in 2021!
2021 poses a multitude of obstacles for us. However, rearview gives us a positive perspective as to the path we are on. Your support is invaluable. It’s one of the fibres of our resilience. As we keep adapting, we keep learning that when someone is cheering you, nothing is unattainable.
Thank you for being that person who has cheered us on and nudged as in prayer. We are grateful that you have partnered with us in ways more than one. This year, we need you even more than ever. We would like to hear from you too so that we can carry you in prayer.
I bet it’s not too late to say have a healthy and blessed 2021!
After four years, all the goods in the storage were shipped to South Africa. The shipping freight business was all new to us. Suffice to say that we faced many hurdles along the way. Prayer has been our best weapon. On Monday, May 15, 2017, I went with a team of LXP students to Port Elizabeth to load the donated goods, after all paperwork had been completed and the container was released. This was only possible because Grace Klein Community sent us $3,000 to clear all demurrage and Customs Depot charges. That makes in excess of $9,000 worth of financial contributions in this last phase of the project alone.
When we saw the quantity and quality of the donated items, we were speechless and amazed by what God has done. Everyone was so ecstatic and all of a sudden, we became so energetic that the enormous semi-truck did not intimidate us. In jubilant moves, we offloaded the truck singing songs of praise. Nothing could dishearten us in those few hours. Our joy was stronger than any other emotion.
And now we have received 12,000 books, an innumerable range of clothes for babies to adults, music instruments and equipment, computer equipment, and we are still unpacking! We are utterly shocked by your unrelenting generosity. We are filled with all exciting emotions and new-found hope to dream further. Our hearts are full of gratitude. Our despair has been shattered by authentic love exhibited in the expression of your unconditional love and encouragement yielded by entrusting us with such a huge task of stewarding God’s resources as well as to channel His blessings to the needy in society.
We would like to say thank you, times a million, to everyone that has made this project possible, from Alabama to Florida, Maryland to Michigan, Missouri to Arkansas and all the way to California, we will forever remain thankful to all prayer warriors and sponsors. There is absolutely no doubt that great leaders will be grown and nurtured through the Library and Music Academy at Beats and Books. Your gifts are rare pearls and diamonds whose true worth cannot be measured by devices nor by human brains. Their impact is eternal.