Susan Wildeboer

Putting Kids First: helping at-risk children worldwide

Posted by: swildeboer on February 26, 2010

Putting Kids First: helping at-risk children worldwide
As part of Cultural Care Au Pair’s mission to break down barriers of culture and language through educational exchange, a group of local childcare coordinators and staff recently visited South Africa to see firsthand the difference the donations from the Cultural Care community have made through our charitable organization Kids First.

Since it’s inception in 2004, Kids First has supported many worldwide organizations that work with at-risk youth. From the daycare center in Brazil to the school library in New Orleans to an orphanage in Russia, Kids First has supported a wide range of global organizations. Our most recent work at an orphanage and daycare center in a poverty-stricken township outside Capetown, South Africa is another great example of the work we are doing worldwide.

Cultural Care staff and LCCs had an opportunity to visit several projects funded through CHOSA, an organization that Kids First supports. CHOSA provides support to programs that work with at-risk children and their families to provide nutrition, medication, clothing, food, shelter and an education.

During the service visit, those who participated had a chance to visit the Ubuhle Babantwana Care Center, which helps 150 children, some of whom are HIV positive. Donations received from au pairs, host families and Cultural Care LCCs and staff have provided funds for the building of a new structure for the infants and toddlers in the center. The group from Cultural Care Au Pair had an opportunity to see the new structure, meet the inspirational director and dedicated teachers and had some time to play with the children.

In addition, the group visited the Ilitha-Labantwana Place of Safety, the Philani Child Health and Nutrition Project, the Emasithandane Children’s Project and the Baphumulele Children’s Home. The Cultural Care team is now bringing their experience back to the U.S. to raise awareness, and additional funds for even more projects that Kids First supports.

“Our Kids First trip to Cape Town was truly amazing and inspiring,” says Local Childcare Coordinator Trudy Mar. “The work, effort, love and sacrifice the women heading up these projects give to all of the kids goes well beyond what most of us could imagine. If one little body sleeps better, eats better and smiles more, we’ve helped to change their future and make the world a better place. Every dollar we raise for Kids First definitely does make a difference.”

For information about how you can make a contribution to Kids First, or raise awareness for the programs it supports, visit http://www.culturalcare.com/aboutus/kidsfirst/ or contact me, your Local Childcare Coordinator.

Au Pairs in the News: Obama Inauguration Article

Posted by: swildeboer on May 10, 2009

I chose our January meeting to coincide with the presidential inauguration of Barak Obama.  We watched together and had a very interesting discussion about their reactions to the event and to the election process in the United States.   I contacted some local newspapers and asked if they would be interested in your opinion and they were!  They asked me to write an article and submit it.  It was published in it’s entirety in the Los Altos Town Crier, and as part of an editorial in the Mountain View Voice.  So, you’re famous!  Take a look and send this link to your families about your local au pair group. 

Local au pairs offer thoughts from abroad while watching Obama’s inauguration.   http://www.losaltosonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16682&Itemid=47

Town Forum of Mountain View Voice: http://www.mv-voice.com/square/index.php?i=3&d=&t=930