September 12th, was the first championship of Basketball 3 vs. 3 “City of Hope.” The men struggled to get the top six teams, while in the women’s category had organized a league between three teams that entered the tournament. The men formed two teams each, from the three leagues. The top team in each league qualified for the final championship.
Each match lasted 15 minutes and all the players fought to the bitter end to achieve victory.
During the first days of September the new group of volunteers who will stay for a year at City of Hope arrived: Jan and David, from VIDES Belgium, Agnieszka from the Salesian Volunteers of Poland, Berit and Kerstin from Don Bosco Volunteers Bonn, Germany and Christina from VIDES, Austria. Ania will return to Poland and Sergio to Spain by the end of September.
Other Volunteers will come for shorter periods.We wish the new Volunteers many pleasant experiences and an enjoyable stay, living in the spirit of Don Bosco. We had a wonderful experience with the previous volunteers and wait for all of them to return to City of Hope sometime.
A big thank you to you all!!!
Monday, September 6, City of Hope Open Community School commenced the last school term of the year.
On the first day of school, the students were involved in cleaning the classrooms and environment. They greeted their new teachers and to met their classmates.
The Open Community School, offers basic education to youth, aged between 9 and 17 years.
During this time, over a period of 4 years, they learn the subjects offered at Primary School level. After the 4 years preparation, they are given an opportunity to write the Government Grade 7 examination. There are now about 800 girls and boys who attend the Open Community School at City of Hope. Initionally there were only girls, but a few years back, the local community approached the Salesian Sisters expressing the needs for boys as well as girls. A new programme started with afternoon-classes boys but now the girls and boys are integrated. The school has a feeding programme where high protein supplementary food is offered to the children, as ‘no one can learn on an empty stomach’. For many of the children, this is their main meal.
