Weltevrede NGK Primary M.A.D.

M(ake). A. D(ifference)

 

Every year I try to get involved with a cause that I am passionate about. That could mean raising awareness, funds or devoting some time to help where I can. Even though I have lived in the US for over 5 years, my heart still lies very much in South Africa, so this is my ask: In the spirit of giving thanks this holiday season, I am trying to raise funds for a local, South African farm school that has many basic needs. Something that may seem very basic to us (stationery, learning materials, air conditioners [for steel prefabricated classrooms/containers]) can make a very big difference in the lives of the children and teachers at the school. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of education. Coming from a privileged position, whereby I had all the educational opportunities, and being in a country where education is a given right; this is a worthwhile cause that we can agree will make a difference.

 

A little bit about the school:

 

Weltevrede NGK Primary is situated in the Riebeek West valley in the Western Cape of South Africa, with five passionate teachers and 126 farm children. Until recently, the teachers had purchased all the learning materials that they use with their own salaries. The children are unable to afford school fees and with little help from the government, the teachers have no other choice but to step in and step up… The school itself is also in need of air conditioners. The children are taught in steel container classrooms with temperatures rising upwards of 122 Fahrenheit/50 degrees Celsius during summer. Let's help change this.

 

If you are in a position to do so, please help by donating to the cause or even to just help by spreading the word.

 

As always, extremely grateful for any involvement and assistance in the above! If you would like to get involved in any other way - reach out and we can see what we can do ❤️

 

Comprehensive Background From The Principle:

 

Weltevreden NGK Primary was established in 1960. It was the initiative of the farm owner, Mr. Serdyn of Weltevrede farm and the local Reverend to create a school for the farm community on the surrounding farms. Weltevreden NGK Primary is 10km outside Riebeeck-West, Western Cape, South Africa.

 

The origin of the school was clearly a need to offer the children of the farm workers of Weltevrede, as well as the children of the surrounding farms the opportunity to receive education and teaching. Some farms were about 49km from Riebeeck-West and the step to establish a school would give many children the opportunity for education.

 

The school therefore originated in 1960 with 2 educators manage the school. Initially, only a hall was built here, which was divided into two classes. The school later grew because an extra class was added, which at the same time served as a church institution where services were held for the farm community.

 

The school has in the meanwhile expanded and now has a curriculum of Gr. R to 6 with approximately 130 learners. The school is currently staffed by 5 educators, 1 admin clerk and 2 kitchen staff. We have a full time Principal, who also teaches full time. The Gr. R educator as well as the admin clerk have been appointed by the SGB and are remunerated by the SGB, because they receive a subsidy from the WCED which is paid into the school's account.

 

The challenges we are currently experiencing are multi-grade classes, where two grades are housed in one class with one educator who then has to teach/accommodate the two- degree curriculum. Grades 1 & 2, 2 & 3 as well as 5 & 6 are currently taught together as multi-grade classes. Furthermore, we also have a Gr.4 class and a Gr. R class.

 

On the school grounds there is a school hall, that currently serves as 2 classes, a smaller classroom built for Gr. 5 & ​​6 and two smaller metal “containers” that serve as Gr. 4 and also Gr. 2 & 3 classrooms. A small Nutec building that serves as the kitchen for the nutrition scheme that has been set up for the daily nutrition of our learners. We also have an Admin building which is a PreFab building. Then the school has one outside toilet for all the staff and four toilets for all the learners.

 

An urgent need is also fencing and a motorized gate at the entrance of the school, because currently we experience unauthorized persons entering the school grounds and also theft that takes place over weekends and during holidays.

 

The school is located in the middle of the farms, where the children come from. Children who come to school are therefore children from the surrounding farms as well as from the nearby town because the parents prefer it that way.

 

The current socio-economic state of the school and the community is of such a nature that luxuries, such as the use of technology e.g. computers, tablets and air cons are not possible for our learners. The meals that the school gives to the learners are in most cases the only meal they receive. Although the school strives to meet the needs of the children, it is an impossible task to address everything. We provided all the classes with a projector and a whiteboard, but it is not interactive whiteboards. Because they are old buildings, these buildings including the two containers are terribly hot, with heat waves and temperatures that can rise to between 40-50 degrees. During the winter months we experience extreme cold again, because the school is located in a valley. We also reach out to surrounding institutions and businesses that also sometimes provide school clothes and shoes to the learners.

 

The school grounds are also on the school's agenda to be renovated, e.g. the painting and beautification of the walls and paths.

 

Because the children are brought to school by busses, we can also mention that the roads are in a dangerous condition during the winter and summer months. We kindly appeal to you to try and help us with a donation of any kind to help achieve our goals and addressing our needs.