Educating for the Future - St Augustine’s Primary School

Hi, My name is Fr Jerry Browne.

I am a priest working in the Diocese of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. I have served there for the past 31 years. In all my years, the one thing that I have witnessed, that has consistently made a difference in the lives of the people is an opportunity for education.

Currently, I am serving in an inner city parish in the Port Elizabeth, and would like to assist a school in the parish, St Augustine’s Primary, to add two additional classrooms to the school to facilitate the introduction of junior and senior infants (Pre-School - Grade 0 and Grade R). St Augustine’s school is one of the oldest schools in South Africa - turning 177 years this year.

The community that the school serves has changed over the years and is made up of lower income families who are not financially capable of enrolling their children into functional pre-schools. As a result, the children end up at daycare facilities or creches where they do not receive the required school readiness activities to adequately prepare them for formal schooling.

The classrooms for the pre-primary will be housed in the property next door to the school, which has been acquired for this purpose. The building will need minor alterations which includes cutting arches in the walls to make the space suitable for kindergarden, renovating the space and adding ablution facilities suitable for smaller learners.

Education is a pathway out of poverty for these children and their families. Your support for this project will be invaluable in providing them with opportunities that can change their lives