Sister Mary's Children: Ikhwezi Lokusa Rehab
Ikhwezi Lokusa Rehabilitation and Development Society is one of the partnering projects supported by Sister Mary’s Children in South Africa. Ikhwezi educates and trains young disabled people in crafts and basic education.  Many of the trainees have been denied basic aspects of education and development due to a cultural stigma surrounding the disabled. Ikhwezi Lokusa works tirelessly to support and provide independence to these amazing young people.  The aim of the Society is to offer the trainees rehabilitation and training to prepare them for life in their home environment. This is achieved through a skills training program within four workshops. The trainees learn trades such as pottery, leather work, crafts, and sewing. In addition, they must complete basic educational standards such as counting change, reading, writing, and other math skills. Many of the trainees have been denied basic aspects of education and development due to a cultural stigma surrounding the disabled. Ikhwezi Lokusa works tirelessly to support and provide independence to these amazing young people. Your very generous support in the past year has helped Ikhwezi Lokusa Society with Covid related costs including deep cleaning and disinfecting their facilities as well as providing protective clothing and masks to keep staff and students safe.
The following is a letter of appreciation from Sister Cecilia, Director of Ikhwezi Lokusa Rehabilitation and Development Society. Mthatha, South Africa (home of Ikhwezi) was hit very hard by the pandemic.  
“Dearest Sister Mary’s Children,
Greetings from South Africa.The Rehab trainees are back in full force! We are protected under God's mercy and love. I find it right to share how Sister Mary’s Children has supported the Rehab. First and foremost, all classrooms and living quarters  were fumigated through your donations. Up to this day we feel blessed, loved and cared for by SMC. We are the happiest  people in society than before because we have experienced love from the distance. It was like getting rain after drought!
Prayers and Blessings,
Sister Cecilia Ntsolo, cps”
http://ikrehab.co.za/about.html
Sister Cecilia reported to SMC the specific ways that your donations have supported Ikhwezi during the pandemic and helped them get back on track to educating the trainees. Funds from SMC provided the ability to purchase material for masks, shoe covers, isolation gowns, gloves, thermometers, medicines, sanitizers, and face shields, all crucial items for day to day operations under the new COVID-19 reality. Each workshop and hostel received all necessary equipment.. 
After government-mandated closures, trainees returned to the center by Monday, September 14. Since allowing students and staff back, they have not had a single positive case of COVID-19. These encouraging outcomes have been made possible directly by your support. 
SMC would like to join Sister Cecilia in extending our great appreciation for your continued generosity.  If you would like to donate to the partnering projects supported by SMC, you may do so by:
Sending a check to: Sister Mary’s Children, Inc (503c Non Profit)
PO Box 809
McCall, ID  83638
OR Visiting the SMC Website at: https://www.sistermaryschildren.org for a quick and easy way to donate via credit card.