Shalom Kids Academy - Cape Town CBD

Rina says...

I brought up two kids from birth. They are now adults and still alive, so I must have done something right. There is also a third kid, not my blood-own, but my heart-own staying with me and also grown-up now. I became a first-time granny in 2012 and love every moment with this little angel.

I can remember as a small kid, when people asked me what I am going to be when I’m grown-up, I answered without hesitation: “A teacher.”

I guess I am now old enough to be that teacher!!

My mom ran a day care centre from home – 6 kids from two months to 5 years, as well as an aftercare for 6 primary school kids with learning difficulties. From about age 12 it was my job to assist in the afternoons with tutoring for the school kids. During school holidays I assisted with feeding, playing with them and changing nappies for the babies and toddlers. … And it was in the days before paper nappies.

I taught Sunday school in 1981/2 and then again from 1989 till currently at the Dutch Reformed Church in Goodwood – first as a teacher for both the junior (3 yrs to grade 6) and senior kids (grade 7 to 11), and since 2000 as team leader of the Sunday school.

I established and ran various youth groups over the years at the church; served as chairperson of the Youth commission for several terms, currently again since 2010.

I am an elder of our church since 2002.

In February 2006 I started a Christian drama group at our church. It is open to the community for all ages and cultures. Ages varies between 6 and 75 years. No membership fees; and basically no budget and finances. We have 4 basic rules: open with prayer; close with prayer; commitment; and respect – for God, self and others. We are like a family, help each other and learn from one another. I have written various plays and adapted some other known plays which we have performed over the years since 2006.

I organise events for our church, e.g. annual concert, youth events such as game evenings and sleep-outs.

For the past four years I assisted with the marketing and advertising of our annual church bazaar.

In September 2012 I started a Sunday school group for the Oasis Community Church in Goodwood.

Academic qualifications, workshops and certificates:
Matric – 1981
Diploma in Youth Ministry and Counselling – 2 year course at Hugenote Bible Institute – 1998
Bright Star Program – 2012

While employed at Old Mutual from June 1990 till August 2013, I attended and completed various workshops such as Communication, Service excellence, Business Report Writing, and one of the special moments for me was when I won the award for People Growth in 2004.

Having said all this, none of the above information and life experiences will mean anything if Christ is not present in my life.

“I may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains – but if I have no love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1,2)

I love Jesus Christ and I love children.

When you visit Shalom Kids Nursery, you will not easily find me in my office. I will be the one rolling on the carpet with the kids, playing with dolls, cars, blocks and balls with them. I will be sitting on the floor and telling them stories. I will be sitting with them at the table, busy colouring in a picture or drawing a stick man; or wiping noses, changing nappies and cleaning potties.

May the Lord Himself, who is our source of peace, give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all. (2 Thes.3:16)

~ Sept 2013 ~