laughter, community spirit, growth and all the stresses that rest on the few shoulders that start a new Waldorf initiative. Gabbeh held the fort in the classroom with the support of Maria, one of our parents for the first 4 weeks doing a mathematics main lesson adapted to the various ages (numberland to measurement, areas, volume, etc). Long awaited Sue Gurney joined the school after her visit overseas on 20 May 2009, her experience enriching all greatly. This enabled us to split the group into 2, giving all ages their due attention and curriculum content: the 3 littlies listening and drawing many letters discovered in fairy tales and learning all about numberland. The older group enjoyed an 
expansive man and animal main lesson, which ended with a free visit to monkeyland (THANK YOU!). Another parent inspiring children and adults alike, was Tamsyn with her great love and experience with claywork. She came (and will continue to come) once a week to create pots for the market with the children passing on her knowledge. Kurland Brick Factory showed us around their interesting operation, which fascinated all present and sent us home with a bakkie-load full of clay for the 
classroom. Our studio classroom at the bottom of Jenny's garden is proving a wonderful space and the walls are somehow expanding with the constant growth we are experiencing. May a new venue arise soon to incorporate 3 classrooms, office, kindergarten room, playgroup and playground! If you know of anyone able to assist us in finding and acquiring new premises, please do not hesitate to contact us ASAP!Maria held the market initiative, which helps in a very steady way to improve our classroom and provides the necessary materials. By the end of term a market group had been established by 4 parents running the stall in turn. Unfortunately the whitsun dinner previousl
y advertised on the blog was not taken up by anyone and no money was raised. Our first and only donation of R5000 arrived at the end of June by Mr Wolf Boemer, grandfather of Kiani and Tila - THANK YOU! St John's festival was celebrated with friends and family in Maria and Rose's home with the fireplace going strong, lantern flames dancing to the singing voices of all present. The children sang their songs in meaningful harmonies, leaving goosebumps on our skins.By the end of the term we had grown to 9 children and 2 teachers, with more to come in the new term. Our teachers received their first little salary towards their efforts. Furthermore preparations are on their way for the new kindergarten and playgroup due to start in January 2010, gatherings with prospective parents and children have begun. The search for a home for our school is keeping us on our feet.
The holidays were used by Gabbeh to connect with the Windhoek Waldorf School, where all classes of the primary school are held in German: the class 6 performed "Das doppelte Lottchen" by Erich Kaestner, a wellknown author. This was very enjoyable. New friendships were made with founder Christiane on Krumhuk Bio-dynamic farm, who offered much support and encouragement to our initiative. Sue received a visit from Christiane and Martin Wigand exchanging and sharing valuable teaching and eurythmy experience. Friends in these times are invaluable. Now we just need some money .............
We urgently need desks and chairs - PLEASE HELP US WITH A DONATION FOR THIS PURPOSE.
We need 3 sponsorships - if you have a class of your own that would like to act as a godparent for the education of one of our children, PLEASE contact us.
Thank you to all those involved and those supporting us in these times - our families and partners are carrying huge loads with us, at times burdened at times enlightened by our efforts.
Gabriele Wellens
