Category: Blog posts

Educational toys do not need to be costly.

You can make many of the items you see at home with just one ot two household items and a bit of time.

Counting

Hamish has been counting for a while and can now identify his numbers up to 20.

But is rote counting and random identification enough?

I wanted to also teach him what number comes before and after each other, how to sequence the numbers and how to identify the numbers that may be missing from a number line.

An easy maths game

To do this I made a set of 10 number lines with numbers missing.

I then wrote a number on 10 pegs and left Hamish to peg the missing number onto the icecream stick in the correct place.

Learning outcomes

Using this I was able to:

• show him which numbers came before or after each other
• Use the pegs to have him sequence numbers
• Teach him to place the missing number in the correct place on the number line
• Test his knowledge of number recognition and counting

To make your own

To make your own you will need:

• 10 ice cream sticks ( you could use thick pieces of cereal box card if you do not have ice cream pegs)
• 10 pegs
• A permanent marker

Method:

First write the numbers 1 -10 on each ice cream stick leaving out one number each time and replacing the number with a square or line where the missing number would be.

Next write the numbers 1-10 on each peg, one number per peg

Present the game to your child and show them how to play.

With lockdown being reinstated many of the normal every day activities that we once found ourselves doing are now criminal offenses.

We have also seen a huge increase in gender based violence as women are now spending much longer hours inside their homes with abusive and frustrated or unemployed partners.

New laws

The adjusted Level 3 laws for South Africa are now ( as of January 2021)as follows:

• Most outdoor and indoor gatherings are now prohibited and these include religious gatherings, political events, traditional council meetings and gatherings at sports grounds.
• Funerals may not be attended by more than 50 people.
• Restaurants, museums and gyms may not have more than 50 people indoors or 100 people outdoors and this number may not exceed more than 50% of the venues capacity.
• The South African population are all on curfew from 9pm to 5am. No one is permitted outside of their home during those times, except for medical emergencies and those who have permits to do so for work.
• Non essential establishments like bars and restaurants must be closed by 8pm tp allow their staff to get home before curfew.
• Wearing a cloth mask in public is mandatory.
• Our boarder posts will have limited access in and out.
• Alcohol sales are prohibited.
• On site consumption of alcohol is prohibited.
• Beaches are closed as are any parks.

(For a full breakdown of the laws you can visit http://www.gov.za )

Breaking the law

For the most part, the average citizen has adjusted to living in lockdown and embraced a new normal but with stricter laws there are also the consequences of jail sentences and fines, should you break these laws.

A need to break the law

What if the law was broken accidentally or for pure survival ?

We all know the staggering statistics of domestic abuse in South Africa and are aware that not every home is a safe space.

Whilst we saw a significant decrease in alcohol injuries and trauma over the December festive season domestic abuse is still increadibly rife among our society.

According to a Times alive article the government GBV and genocide command centre recorded more than 120 000 cases of domestic violence in the first 3 weeks of South African lockdown. ( 2020)

What if home is not a safe space?

With these statistics it is increadibly likely that a woman or child may run out of a home after curfew without a mask.

What would she do?

Technically she may not leave her home for fear of breaking the law but she also can’t stay for fear of her life.

In a situation of distress her thought would be survival not pandemic hygiene.

Technically she would be breaking 2 major laws :- not wearing a mask and not adhering to curfew.

Help in the law

Whilst it seems unlikely that breaking the laws she could actually turn to the law to protect her, however this would be the case.

Should she find herself arrested or fined for needing to flee her home, she should immediately report her case to the police and gain the help of a criminal defense attorney

Luckily there are free lawyers assigned to you if you are unemployed.

With the assistance of a criminal defense attorney she will be able to accurately prove that she was infact in danger and not intentionally trying to break the law.

Getting help

Should you find yourself at home and in any danger please make contact with one of the following organizations to assist you: Helpline for women

POWA

Tears foundation

For domestic abuse or gender based violence You can also dial *134*7355#

This is a free call and avaliable to everyone 24/7 in all 9 provinces

With lockdowns inforced in many countries, businesses have started to look for alternative ways to sell their products and run their businesses online.

One of those ways is to sell on AWS market place.

What is AWS marketplace?

AWS stands for Amazon Web Services and AWS marketplace is an online software store that assists customers to locate, buy and use the software that is on AWS marketplace.

Currently AWS offer 175 fully featured services from global data centres.

There are 7 primary categories with subcategories under each allowing you to filter your search according to both category and subcategories.

Who uses AWS and why ?

Several businesses, one of them being Netflix, use this secure cloud service platform to

• Run and host their websites
• Secure their files in cloud to be able to access from anywhere
• Use management databases to store information
• Deliver static and dynamic files using a Content Delivery Network ( CDN)
• Send bulk emails to customers

How much does it cost to use ?

Amazon have reported that there are several free tiers that you can join to give you access to try many of the AWS features.

Should you not want to use the free tiers or if you are not eligible to use them, it could cost 1 -3 US dollars ( around R15 – R 45) a month with a personal website being hosted for only 50 US cents ( around R7.50)

What are the benefits of selling on AWS marketplace?

With many government and educational institutions using AWS marketplace, it has already gained a trusted reputation for :

• Being easy to use
• Having a diverse array of tools available
• Unlimited server capacity
• Reliable encryption
• High levels of security
• The managed IT services are available
• Flexibility
• And affordability

How do you sell on AWS marketplace ?

In order to sell your software on AWS marketplace you will need to first read the different policies that are in place for sellers globally.

Find your region and the rules that apply to you and they type of products you are selling.

Use the AWS marketplace management portal, where you will register and manage your products to :

• Register as an AWS marketplace seller
• Submit new products or update badly existing products on the product page
• Upload the files you need to create and manage your software

The AWS marketplace management portal will also allow you to :

• Measure the results of your marketing , including the usage and revenue.
• Allow you to retrieve customer data in real time.
• Detect any vulnerability with an AMI scan.

Final note

As a registered seller on AWS marketplace you will need to sell publicly found software that fits the stores categories.

The business selling will need to demonstrate a strong customer satisfaction record. (Some of the current businesses selling are Microsoft, IBM and Checkpoint. With open sourceware offered by WordPress , Drupal and Mediawiki.)

You will also be required to offer tax documentation, strong business operations and legal practices.

Top priority of AWS marketplace is to ensure their vendors keep their products both updated and virus free. Two vital components in business.

There are several “try before you buy” options with many of the registered vendors offering free trials of their products, ensuring you the peace of mind that what you are buying is ideal for your business.

AWS marketplace not only offers a high standard of good quality products, but work hard at keeping the trust already built in their brand.

Guns are most likely one of the most controversial subjects in any home.

Whilst they serve their purpose to protect you should you be faced with a life or death situation there are also numerous accounts of toddlers and young children accidentally getting hold of parents gun and shooting themselves or a friend.

Personal experience

As a young girl I remember living on a big wide open farm and being taught to shoot a pellet gun rifle. The hard butt of the gun against my shoulder, I pulled the trigger and instantly reeled back with the effect. The noise ringing in my ears.

It scared me. I don’t remember trying again although I do remember my father teaching us the safety around both handling the gun and storing it.

I also recall watching him as he pulled each piece of the gun out and explained how to clean it and how it worked.

Many years later I also stood in a lounge where my father wielded a hand gun in a vicious attack against my mother.

That day I vowed I would never own a gun.

What changed

As a young mom, because of my own trauma with guns, I hardly allowed my four sons to play with guns. The images of the hurt they can inflict far too vivid in my mind.

But, boys have a natural way of gravitating to all things action and it wasn’t long before they were using sticks as guns and building their own Lego rifles.

I finally gave in and took them shopping, careful to only choose bright coloured toy guns that did not resemble a real gun at all, other than shape.

By the time they were teens they were buying their own B.B guns and my many hours of gun safety talks began.

Am I against guns?

I’m not against guns, they are needed by many for protection but I do believe :

• They need to be stored in a safe away from children
• A child should never handle a gun
• You need a licence and this licence should take your mental state into account and be evaluated every year.
• If you have children in a home where there is a gun, regular conversations about gun safety should be taken into consideration.
• If your teenager wants to learn to shoot, it should be at a shooting range amidst professionals.
• You should be a member of the Gun owners Association.

What are the reasons people own guns?

In South Africa, self protection is one of the largest reasons for people to own a gun.

From hijackings, muggings, home invasions and farm murders … there is need for personal safety.

According to the Small Arms survey there are approximately *5 350 000 guns in personal possession in South Africa. (* 2020)

Of this number, only *3 000 000 were legally registered.

What are the laws when owning a gun?

We, in South Africa need to follow strict rules before applying for a gun licence, unlike in some countries.

Here you will need to :

• Be trained at an accredited training provider
• Obtain a competency certificate
• Apply for fire arm licence from the South African Police Force ( SAPS)

You also need to meet the following requirements :

• Be a South African citizen or permanent resident of South Arfrica
• Be 21 years or older
• Be mentally stable and fit
• Pass a background check
• Not have a criminal record
• Not be an addict to either alcohol or drugs

A fire arm licence is valid for 5 years and needs to be renewed 90 days before the previous one expires.

A hunting fire arm licence is valid for 10 years.

How many guns can I own ?

The law is incredibly strict on how many guns you may own.

For personal safety – 1

For hunting/ shooting sports – a maximum of 4 but limits on only 1 handgun, rifle or shot gun. If however you are a member of a reputable hunting or sporting organisation and can prove your membership and can prove your need for more guns you may have more.

Business- For security companies and those who use guns in their business like a shooting range, there is no limit.

What do I need if I own a gun for personal safety?

The number one requirement for owning a gun would be a safe space to keep them. A wall safe with combination lock away from children.

A gun case for transporting your gun. This too needs to be secure and would be wisest with a combination lock.

A gun cleaning kit to keep the gun free of dust and from rusting.

A gun holster, should you wear the gun on your body, like the quality gun holsters from We The People Holsters

Spare ammunition.

Final notes

A gun can be a tool for survival but South Africa has many laws that even should a person break into your home you may not just shoot them.

It is wise to familiarize yourself fully with the law before deciding to buy a gun.

It is also wise to have open conversations with your children about gun safety.

These resources can help:

Molly’s mischief– a gun safety message from McGruff the Crime dog ( age 3 -9)

Not cool kyle– a gun saftey message from McGruff the crime safety dog. ( age 3-12)

Eddie Eagle gun safe activity book ( preschool to grade 4)