They say that you should live in a house before you make any changes to it!  Well, after having been in our KAS office for well over 6 months, we have a good idea of what is and is not working for us.  Our biggest challenge is the limited space we have and despite trying to pack in various ways, we came to the conclusion that the best way to utilise the space we have is literally to use every inch of it – from floor to ceiling.  We then started to investigate various shelving options and were taken aback by the cost.  Having almost resigned ourselves to the fact that we could not afford shelving, my dear, dear friend, Helen Flagg emailed me out of the blue with a suggestion that another fundraiser might be embarked on … and asking what is it that we need.  The answer to our prayers!

Having to pile things on top of each other will soon be a thing of the past!

So, in mid-October, after much discussion between Helen, Wendy and I, the U.S Group fundraiser commenced with the goal in mind to collect sufficient funding to install a shelving system that would help improve the efficiency of the KAS operation.  Mary Anne Fellows assisted Helen by co-ordinating Paypal donations so that U.S. Group members in foreign countries as well as other “foreign friends” could also participate.  The fundraiser was planned to last until the day before U.S. Thanksgiving in late November, but they reached and exceeded their goal long before then with some very generous donations.   The funds were transferred to South Africa and the order for shelves placed.

The shelving being built inside the KAS office.

The shelves were installed along the full length of one side of the office on Friday, 5 December and the timing was just perfect as we had started receiving all the backlogged mail and needed all the space we could get.  Wendy and her daughter Sarah sorted and repacked the office after the shelves were installed and I think you will agree that the shelving has made a world of difference to our small, but now extremely efficient space.

Our organised office!

Having the blankets stacked like this makes packing for distributions so much easier.  Since installing the shelves on the one side of the office, we have decided to do the same on the opposite wall.  So, when the supplier opens in the New Year, we will be giving them a shout.

With Christmas and New Year both falling on a Thursday this year, our volunteers finished up on Thursday, 18 December for the year and will be taking a break over the festive season.  We will continue to collect mail as and when it comes in and will tackle opening it all in the New Year when we meet again on Thursday, 8 January.  I am travelling to KwaZulu Natal to spend Christmas with the family and I wish all of you safe travels and a very blessed Christmas.  Thank you for your continued support this year and we look forward to another year of warming the orphaned and vulnerable children of South Africa.

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  • The neatly stacked blankets on the lovely shelving is a wonderful sight. I'm so glad that it will make life easier for you all. Thank you Ronda and team for all that you do, I hope you all have a Happy Christmas, and a well deserved rest!
  • A lovely report on how you got your rainbow walls. Have a Safe and Happy Christmas Ronda dear, we need you.

  • Merry Christmas to the whole S.A. team. Enjoy your break and rest up - I am sure there wil be a flood of parcels waitng for you when you get back.

    The shelves look wonderful, I am sure they will make a huge difference in your small space.

  • Wonderful to see the shelves holding all those beautiful blankets ready to keep children warm.  It must be lovely to have organization in your cramped office.

    Thank you Ronda and Wendy and all the volunteers.  We couldn't do it without you !

    Merry Christmas to everyone.

  • And Pam, I would like to add my own word of thanks to the wonderful members of the U.S. Forum group including our members from foreign countries

    .   Each time I have presented them with a KAS need (rent money for the office space, the urgent need for equipment in the Nancefield day care, and now shelving needs) I have met with a positive response.  They are a "we can do it" bunch of ladies (and a few assorted gentlemen!) who always rise to the challenge, and I thank them one and all for their willingness to serve.  When we see to the volunteers' basic needs to keep the office running smoothly, we are in effect serving the children better, and that is where our collective hearts are. 

    Thank you to all our U.S. Forum members and contributors and to all the SA volunteers.   Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and may 2015 be the best KAS year yet!

    • A very Merry Christmas and Joyous New Year right back at you Helen!  What marvellous news about the shelving and how lovely to see all those blankets, which will be distributed soon enough and more will be needed to fill the shelves.  Yes, I am keeping the children in my heart and my prayers and all of the wonderful South African volunteers and the loving people worldwide who are helping to warm the South African AIDS/HIV orphans and other needy children.  God Bless Us Every One!

      love, Jeanne  (and high fives USA...you ROCK!)

    • Thank you Helen for thinking about KAS needs other than for squares.  We must remember that a bit of cash is always welcome to help defray costs and provide essentials to keep the operation in S.A. working smoothly.

  • Many thanks to Helen and all the contributors to provide the office which much needed shelving! It looks absolutely stunning - and creates a inspiring workplace for the volunteers!

  • Thank you Ronda for keeping us updated. I LOVE to hear how KAS (in all areas) continues to evolve and improve.

    A Merry Christmas to yourself and your family and to ALL the wonderful volunteers in SA. Happy holidays to all!!.... everyone over there soooo deserves a nice break from the wonderful work you do.  :))

  • And what a Christmas gift - new shelving, new mail arriving every day, new volunteers coming on board.  Ronda, 2014 was a good year for KAS.  Have a wonderful, Christmas time with your family!    

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