Miss Vicky's Children's Education Fund: Hello from South Africa!

Mission Statement

The mission of Miss Vicky's Children's Education Fund is to finance the airfare from NYC to Cape Town, South Africa for at least one American teacher to donate his/her tutoring services each summer for several weeks to the children and mothers in Khayelitsha Township District "C" and to provide classroom instruction in the local public school to facilitate a learning environment focused on the improvement of overall literacy. Any additional funds raised will be used to establish a dedicated school library for "C" District. Eventually the hope is to provide each child with a school back pack filled with school supplies and their own reading book during the Holidays.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Hello from South Africa!

I made it safely and I have so much to write and only about 3 minutes. Internet is not what we are used to at home. Today was my first full day here and everyone has been incredibly welcoming. I went to the school today and met the Principal and children. I actually taught all 4 sections of the fourth grade! I'm helping them with their language and communication in English. They don't actually start learning English until the 4th grade so I'll be working in grades 4-7 while i'm here. The school's resources are so minimal. Kids don't even have pencils of their own. They break one pencil in half and then 2 kids share. It's so different from what I'm used to! I'm trying to excite the kids about reading and learning and they are quite curious. I've shared some pictures that were drawn by Richboro 4th graders and the children LOVED them! I will have many more stories to share as well as pictures. The community here doesn't have much, but they do have big hearts and open arms. The children are so sweet and I so look forward to seeing more of them next week!!

1 comment:

Unknown said...: Tanya,

I'm so proud of your heart for the children. It took a HUGE commitment on your part to undertake this journey. I'm sure God will bless all your efforts and you will return with some amazing experiences that you will cherish for a lifetime!

Blessings,

Uncle Mark; July 24, 2009 at 10:48 AM

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Vusamanzi Primary School

Vuzamanzi Primary is in Site C in the Khayelitsha informal settlement. First established in 1985, the school has served the community as a community hall for meetings and a hiding place from police raids at the height of the apartheid era as well as a place to educate the youth. Over 75% of the parent community of Vuzamanzi Primary are unemployed and illiterate, many eeking out a living in the informal sector where they sell fruit and sweets at the taxi rank and station. Naturally, there is a high percentage of non-fee payment by these parents who simply cannot afford school fees and the school has now been identified as a pilot school for the no payment of school fees in the Western Province.