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Dear Chrysalis Friends,
We trust that you enjoyed a peaceful, joyful and blessed Christmas with your loved ones, and that
2011 will live up to your highest expectations. We wish you the same as we wish for ourselves –
health, happiness and the realisation of many of our goals.
The Chrysalis Foundation enjoyed a successful year in 2010 with a total of 63 students graduating
from the Pretoria courses and 47 from Diepsloot. This is a low number when one considers the
great need for this type of course in all areas of our society, but it is all that can be sustained
with the resources at hand – and at least we know that we have vastly improved the lives, selfconfidence
and self-esteem of these groups of girls.
 
 
The main focus was once again to impart knowledge and life skills to the students, but the vital
therapeutic elements incorporated into the lecture modules successfully addressed some of the
trauma and the psychological damage done to the girls.
The mutual trust developed during the 3-month course allowed the students to explore their
emotions and hidden fears at the counseling camp, and to facilitate the release of suppressed
hostility and anger. Under the guidance of psychologists and social workers the team-building
activities unleashed many suppressed emotional hurts, and the girls were helped to understand,
manage and express their feelings, which in turn leads to healing.
The tangible results of the courses, based on feedback from both students and their adult care
givers, have been excellent. Reports of great improvement in areas such as personal hygiene,
grooming, social and communication skills, confidence and self-esteem, discipline and personal
conduct, scholastic results, sports, academic and extra-mural achievements have been received.
Several past students have secured good jobs and many have been successfully placed in
rehabilitated parental or family care.
The Year Ahead
The first courses of 2011 have already started, with a group of 35 students in Pretoria and 28
students in the Diepsloot course. There are two courses planned for both Pretoria and
Johannesburg, and we thank the people who have once again selflessly committed to assist as
organizers and lecturers:
Jane Steenkamp (lecturer/ counselor), Natasha Venter (course administrator), Elena Morales
(lecturer / counselor), Richard Scheppel (Chrysalis financial controller), Mpai Thlabanelo (Jhb
Course Convener), Marelize Payne (lecturer/ counselor) and lecturers Roelien van Rensburg, Petra
Roux, David Phoshoko (Mr. SA 2011 Top 12 Contestant) Suzette Venter, Linda Roux, Tsidi, Thandi,
Dintle, Eunice, Refiloe, Jayleigh and Mapitso.
We are also very pleased to have several students who have graduated from previous Chrysalis
courses as voluntary course assistants, and one of them has joined the Pretoria lecturer’s team.
Additionally we were blessed to see two of our founder members get married – congratulations to
Natasha and Jane who were both beautiful brides and are now happily married.
 
 
We wish to express special appreciation for the commitment and support received from our Chrysalis Patron, Elana Afrika, who presents dynamic and inspiring lectures, promotes Chrysalis at
every opportunity, and above all is an excellent role model for the students. Thank you, Elana.
Our other patron, Cindy Nell-Roberts, nominated Chrysalis as her charity of choice when she participated in Survivor SA, and
generated a total of R55000 for Chrysalis – R25000 sponsored by M-Net, R20000 by LiquiFruit and R10000 by Pick n’ Pay. Thank
you, Cindy!!
The Chrysalis Foundation Bursary Fund:
We are pleased to report that we during 2010 the two students on major bursaries have done well
at their studies and are continuing their tertiary education:
Faith Smith is studying Catering and Hotel Management at the Capital Hotel School, and we
thank Ronelle for her kind assistance in making this possible.
Emelie Ledwaba completed her computer science course successfully and is now studying
human resources to round off her business skills diploma.
Mokgadi Mothapo is a Diepsloot graduate who has been receiving funding for additional
school fees for the past two years, and after successfully completing grade 12 last year she has
applied for a bursary to study to become a flight attendant. As a pre-requisite she needs to
complete a swimming and a first-aid course so Chrysalis is funding these two courses to evaluate
Mokgadi’s commitment and dedication prior to making a decision on the flight attendant course.
Thank You:
SPAR North Rand once again was our major sponsor by way of a donation of a share of the
proceeds from the SPAR Women’s Walk, which took place in August last year, with an amazing
23000 entrants in the race.
Many thanks also to Susca Stemmet and the Mr. South Africa 2011 contest which has
generated a significant amount of sponsorship for Chrysalis – in cash as well as clothes, mini firstaid
kits, and other useful items … and best of all, contestants willing to assist with some of the
courses.
In conjunction with Susca Watts Academy a brunch was held at Woodhill Golf Estate, attended
by Cindy Nell and many other celebrities. 50% of these proceeds went to Susca Watts Academy
for deaf students for tuition fees.
We would like to thank
Louise Fourie for all
her hard work and for the
donation of DKNY perfumes.
The function was called
the Polka Dot brunch party, and
was deemed a great success.
We also greatly appreciate the personal donations received from the many wonderful individuals
who so regularly sponsor food, clothing, blankets, hampers, etc.
In 2010 Nedbank Business Banking (Eastern Gauteng), who have for many years been wonderful
sponsors, entertained their clients to World Cup outings and did not hold the traditional charity
golf days, but we are hoping that Nedbank, Douglas Lines and Shirley Crankshaw will once again be
featured in our sponsorship lists in 2011.
And last but by no means least, a special word of appreciation to our Board of Members who keep
us on track:
Retha Ingenbleek, , Rhona Scheppel, Mpai Thlabanelo, Elena Morales, Maria Del Mar
Rodriques, Richard Scheppel, Natasha Venter (plus honorary members, Dawne & Brian
Murray)
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