Aug 23, 2011 Article in The Herald
Zandile Mbabela
A NEW library, international culture room, kitchen and revamped Grade R classes at a New Brighton primary school have given a boost to staff and pupil morale.
Previously, a lack of resources at KwaFord Primary School meant there was little joy to be had attending classes.
Now pupils are eager to go to school each day, after the Free walker Volunteer and Adventures for Charity organisation stepped in to improve the school.
The organisation aims to reach more schools in impoverished areas around Port Elizabeth.
Principal Zingiswa Tinta said the organisation could not have picked a better time to assist the school as they were faced with what seemed like a bleak future.
“They came at just the right time, when there was financial instability within the department,” she said.
“No time was wasted as one of our unused classes was turned into a fully functional library that our pupils are so enthusiastic about.”
The classroom had previously been used as a storeroom and a had a little corner with a sign that read “Book Corner”.
Free walker founder Murray Luscombe said they had adopted the school two years ago with the aim of helping provide the resources needed to improve the learning and teaching experience.
“The school is our pilot project and we consider this project not to be a handout, but a hand-up kind of scenario that equips the school to effectively sustain the project,” he said.
Free walker receives funds from international donors who raise funds in their respective countries for such initiatives. For the kitchen, two teachers from a German primary school got their classes to create crafts that were sold, with the proceeds going to the charity’s coffers.
International volunteers helped paint and shelve the library and Grade R classes.
Organisation co-founder Jordana Meyer said the volunteers, mostly from Europe and the United States, then also taught the pupils about their culture and the part of the world they came from.
“The last group we had helping out was from Germany and they taught the pupils about their food, culture and so forth, which helps make the kids aware of where they fit into the global community.”
Tinta said: “The culture room is quite special to us because even though a child may not think they will ever go to that country, it’s important for them to know about it. I feel that also helps them with knowing and tolerating other cultures.”
She vowed to preserve the developments brought to the school by Freewalker and said she could not wait to see other schools benefit from the project.
“Many schools suffer in terms of resources as a result of a poor education department. But now we have been taught how to fish and be self-reliant and will do anything to keep this up,” she said.
The organisation had earlier this month delivered new school shoes to the 252 pupils.
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