Blyde River Wilderness Lodge
Project
Seeds of Light is a community-based, non-profit organization working towards uplifting the rural community of the greater Acornhoek area of South Africa. This area has been officially designated as a “poverty node” (one of the poorest regions of South Africa) and has very high number of orphans and other vulnerable children living in dire poverty. Through the Seeds of Light, the Ekurhuleni Center for Orphans and Vulnerable Children is also supported.
Seeds of Light takes action through practical projects such as creating food and water security, sexual health and HIV/AIDs awareness, and improving the education and health of orphans and vulnerable children.
Needs
General School Supplies:
Book Bags, Chalk, College-Ruled Paper, Colored Construction Paper, Colored Pencils, Compasses, Crayons, Dry-Erase Markers, Erasers, Glue Sticks, Handheld Pencil Sharpeners, Markers, Pencils, Pencil Cases/Bags, Pens, Protractors, Rulers, Solar Calculators, Solar Lantern Lights, and Wide-Ruled Paper
Reference Materials:
(English) Dictionaries and Age Appropriate Encyclopedias on CD
Flash Cards:
(English) Alphabet, Math, Word
Laminated Wall Charts:
(English) Human Body, Language, Math, Science, and World Maps
Text/Reading Books:
(English) Age-Appropriate Story Books, Biology, General Science, Health, Language/Grammar, and Math
Computer Hardware/Software:
Flash Drives/Memory Sticks, Mobile Phones, Printers, Solar-Powered Working Laptops, Tablets, USB Cables, and Working Laptops
Educational Games/Toys:
Bananagrams, Chess Sets, Connect Four, Scrabble, Stuffed Animals/Soft Toys, and Puzzles
Music Instruments:
Castanets, Cymbals, Harmonicas/Kazoos, Maracas, Recorders, Tambourines, Triangles, and Xylophones
Sports/Outdoor Activity:
Frisbees, Inflation Pumps, Jump Ropes, Netball/Basketballs, Soccer Balls, Team Uniforms/Kits for Soccer, Tennis Balls, and Whistles
Clothing/Shoes:
New Bras and Underwear and New or Gently Used Children’s Clothing and Shoes
Linens:
Bath Towels, Bed Linens, Light Blankets, Linen Sets, Mosquito Nets, and Pillows
Kitchen:
Bowls, Pans, Plastic Serving Bowls/Cups/Plates, Pots, Serving Spoons, and Spatulas
Health/Personal Grooming:
Antibiotic Ointments, Band-Aids, Bars of Soap, Combs, Deodorant, Hair Brushes, Hair Pins and Elastic Hair Bands, Hand Cream, Multivitamin Tablets, Plastic Gloves, Reading Glasses of Assorted Strengths, Sanitary Napkins, Shampoos, Tampons, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Vaseline, and Washing Powder
Art Supplies for Artist Initiatives and Community Produced Projects:
Acrylic Brushes and Paints, Beads for Bead Work, Buttons, Clothing Catalogs, Craft Glue and Scissors, Crochet Hooks, Earring Hooks, Fabric Scissors, Fashion Magazines, Gage Wire, Glass Beads for Bead Work, Knitting Needles, Sewing Needles/Scissors/Patterns, Tape Measures, Thread, Watercolor Brushes and Paints, Wire Cutters, Wool, and Zippers
Gardening:
Books about Gardening, Cloth Caddy for Small Tools, Gardening Gloves, Hand Fork, Small Pruning Shears, Spades, and Trowels
Initiatives Supported
Listed on this page are the specific needs requested by the community project(s) so you can choose exactly what to pack for a purpose and express your gratitude to the local community with the supplies you take them. If you prefer, you may reach out directly to them to inquire about items which may be available for purchase locally. Arranging visits to community projects is beyond the scope of our mission. If you wish to visit a project, contact the participant and they can let you know what is possible.
Candy and balloons are not on the needs list as they are harmful for the children and the environment for the following reasons:
• Few of the children benefiting from these projects have access to toothpaste, toothbrushes, or a dentist. The candy promotes cavities.
• The balloons once they become deflated are a choking hazard for local wildlife.
Instead of taking candy or balloons, use that space for additional requested supplies, as they are priceless.
