The 5th Element Retreat

10/12/2019

Please dont forget, The 5th Element Retreat is an open minded, nature loving, friendly hiding place. We welcome all of you. Come join us for camping, private or groups. We have limited beds for those not so keen on camping 😏😉 and we have loads of space for those that want to get in touch with nature.

21/11/2017

Good morning

Thank you for all the interest shown with the previous camps and commitments we have already received for the upcoming camps.

The 5th Element has been a dream in the making for many years. We were recently exposed to the extraordinary circumstances of children that have suffered extreme traumas of abuse and neglect. We are determined to make a difference in their lives by providing a holiday camp to these children. This will be additional to our other activities on the property and we would love to make our farm a permanent kids camp venue for children from designated safety houses.

The children: are identified through the CMR (Christian Social Council) (001-926 NPO) and Social Services through which the child is allocated a place of safety straight from the children’s court. The children are in protective custody so therefore it is of paramount importance that the children and the safety houses remain confidential.

Until we have secured corporate sponsorship for camps we rely on the generous support from various communities.

We have two camps scheduled for this years December / January holidays and would appreciate any help possible. The houses have committed to providing the basic meals for the children and we would love to add the little something special.

The first camp consists of children from 3 – 9 years old from 8 – 15 December

The second camp consists of children from 10 – 15 years old from 29 – 5 January

Below is the list of items that we will be needing if there is any way that you can help us, we would be most appreciative, every bit makes a difference.

Please contact me directly to arrange collection of the items if you can help.

Cash donations can be made to following account:

Account Name : 5th Element Retreat
Account Number : 9229146438
Branch code : ABSA 632005
Ref : CMR 201712_201801

Glow sticks 22 x 3
sacks (sack races)
Acrylic paints
Candles (11)
Christmas Decorations
Cotton wool
Old towels (22)
Small paint brushes
tinfoil
White glue (wood or craft)
Old sheets/duvet covers any kind
Bedding
White sheets (5)
Carols
8kg mince
Cheese
Concentrate juice
Custard
Flour 5kg
Fruit apples
Fruit watermelons
Ice cream
Ice lollies
Jelly
Milo (6)
Oats
Popcorn kernels 4pkts x 2 nights
Rusks / biscuits 14 boxes
Salt
Small chips
Sugar 5kg
Sweets
Veg cabbage
Veg Cucumber
Veg mushroom
Veg onion
Veg peppers
Yogurt 22 x 7 (154)
Portable Solar lights x 10
Torches and batteries (not expensive x22)
19kg gas
Kitchen cloths x 4
Kitchen towels x 4
Citronella oil
Lanterns
Bandages
Flu drops
Gauze
Large pull up nappies for 7 nights (for ages 3yr x1, 5yr x1, 6yr x2, 9yr x1, 12yr x3),
Mercurochrome
Plasters
Rescue Drops
Rescue pills
Tummy ache medicine
After sun
Aqueous 500ml x 2
Bubble bath
Coconut oil 500ml x2
Kiddies Toothpaste
Linen savers
Mozi bug stuff
Nappies 18 months 3 per day 7 days
Sunscreen
Vaseline 500ml x 2
50lt diesel

Thank you


Sincerely

Sherri & Debbie

0834067041

[email protected]

21/11/2017

A question we have been asked a few times / discussions we have had:

WHAT ARE KIDS FROM HARD PLACES?

For our camps (kids from hard places) it is children from safety Houses. These are kids that have been removed from their 'homes' due to neglect / abuse etc. They are put into safety houses and there await their fate... mostly this will be foster care and maybe adoption, if circumstances at home are not resolved. They are hurt, traumatised and scared little individuals.

WHAT OUR CAMP DOES: animal therapy, teaching them that not all adults will hurt them, that there are endless hugs, plenty food, and safe freedom.

The 5th Element Retreat

14/11/2017

Time is closing in on many exciting things at the 5th Element. We have a retreat booked for the weekend of the 1st of December - the freedom retreat - there is still space available so be sure to get your bookings in! It's going to be an absolutely amazing weekend of freedom of trappings...

We also have 2 camps planned for kids from hard places - the week of the 8th of December to the 15th and the second camp is the 29th of December to the 5th of January.

We have also had a sad week this week as one of our furbabies needed to go run in the forever fields.. she has left us with a gaping hole in our lives, which will not easily be filled... rest in peace dear Zee...

09/10/2017

Okay. So our update... camp was super duper awesome. The kids had an absolute ball! We had a few gastro patients a d a few other scrapes, bumps and bruises, as well as a few flu patients. They all loved sick bay though (cushions on the floor in the lounge with all the puppies with them and uncle kyle guarding them on the couch). We did get rained out a couple of times so impromptu movie nights camping on mattresses in the house happened... and boy were those a treat! We were loaned a popcorn machine, so the kids had a real treat on movie night with popcorn and shmores. Lots of running around and hugs and cuddles were done this week. Uncle Kyle Corbett and buddy Brandon McBride were firm favourites. Kids arrived terrified of everything, and by day 3 couldn't sleep without those 'terrifying' dogs on them and were running wild on the farm. Kids that don't speak said a few words and kids that don't let you touch them were asking for cuddles. So to all our donors of everything and anything - those kids thank you from their whole hearts. Many tears where shed when their bus arrived (they did not want to leave) and of course the most tears shed were by us 2 grannies!

26/09/2017

Hi everyone.. okay, in case you missed it: we have started hosting camps for 'kids from hard places' - these are kids from houses of safety. Our next camp starts this weekend for the holidays. We have 20 kids who are various ages. We are struggling to source the following for this camp so I am here begging, appealing, brow beating... remember every R20 counts, any second hand anything will work, and a loan of something as opposed to donation is also great. Please consider us... We are currently busy with proposals to various companies and places but in the mean time, we NEED you..

Plastic bowls and plates, cups, knives and forks and spoons.
1 bag of cement.
Camp mattresses.
Raincoats / drimacs / rain ponchos.
Sleeping bags.
Mattress protectors.
Peak caps.
Water bottles.
Tents (loan or donate).
Single blankets.
Torches and batteries (cheap us good).
Glow sticks (as arm bands at night).
Glow in the dark mosquito arm bands.
Stationary of any kind for activities.
Paper - A4 / A3.
Bath sponges.
Water guns.
Small gifts of any kind for treasure hunt.
Solar lamps.
Buckets.
Wood glue.
White string.
Craft paints and paint brushes.
Enamel paint - any... half tins or anything.
Shade netting.
Empty shoe boxes.
Scrap material.
Thick rope.

If anyone needs a 18A certificate if going through any company books, we can get this from CMR for you. Let's pull together for the kids guys.

Much love ###x

18/09/2017

So this past weekend was very eventful for the 5th Element Retreat. What a success!!! We had our first ever camp for 'kids from hard places'.. we were worked off our feet and are dead tired today.. but everything was worthwhile. The kids had an absolute ball! What with the obstacle course, water balloon fight, the 3 hour breakfast picnic bush walk and the many other activities... what an honour it was to have them here for the weekend and what a pleasure to get to know them all.. I cannot thank our community here on the farms for the gifts and rallying around with tents and stretchers and what nots, as well as the huge thank you to Margaret McBride and Brandon McBride for the pulled up sleeves and all the help! Thank you to Debra Mitchell for the donation of the trampoline and jungle gym, and to Riana Van Rensburg for all the networking, loan of tent etc, and brainstorming. Also a thank you to 2 of the local guys who just pitched up on Friday after work to help with tents etc.. our next camp is in the October holidays and it will be 2 houses of safety kids coming... so if anyone has any donations of camping stuff they don't use any longer (tents, mattresses, sleeping bags) and / or any youngsters wanting to come do something amazing with kids let us know...

11/09/2017

Some crazy excitement at The 5th Element happening!!! We are hosting our first of many to come kids camp for 'kids from hard places' this very weekend coming. Cannot wait for the group of kids to arrive! Loads of preparation going on and plenty to organise. If any of you out there are looking to assist in any way, let us know urgently on [email protected]. If you are willing to be a 'buddy' for a couple of our little friends for the weekend, or have some camping stuff you would'nt mind getting rid of, or have some ideas for food collection... drop us a line. We will be hosting a group of 8 to 10 kids, camping in the bush... The obstacle course is almost complete! Man, the excitement is immense ###

05/08/2017

'De Kyship' is almost complete and has just been lit for the very first time!!! Thank you to Anne Louwrens for the unit, thank you to Daniel Scott, Kyle Corbett, Patrick Garande, Sherri Church and Prince Garande for all the hard work! Now the Lapa is beautiful and toasty ### Debbie Goddard Scott Church

17/04/2017

We are open! All facilitators and individuals are welcome to book. Find us also on Airbnb,
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/17550860?s=51
For our guestroom bookings and services.

in Emalahleni, South Africa. The homestead is a rustic farm environment. Anyone is welcome to share our home, fireplace, stories and laughter. The Aframe and Rondavel (a traditional circular African dwelling with a conical thatched roof) are separate from the main house and...

24/05/2015

Just a quick update about what we have been up to. Bush shower and bush toilet structures are up.... lots of hard work by Patrick and Moses - thank you - also thanks to Tosh, Dave, Verena and Debbie... Check out the photos. Looking good guys!

08/03/2015

Another awesome weekend... thank you to Debra & Riana, Ashleigh & Sam, Anne, Emma & Erin, Debbie & Sherri. Pathway markers done and some holes dug for the rustic camp.... here are some of the works of art created this weekend....