Miss Vicky's Children's Education Fund

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.

Monday, August 13, 2012

8/13/12 - Hi Everyone,

Today Fran and I brought to school over 80 photographs that we have taken and developed of the groups of children and teachers I have taught/taught with. We mounted them on poster board (thanks to Mr. Fran) and shared them with everyone. The response was overwhelming! The students and the staff spent the day in awe over the "shots". I couldn't stop taking more pictures over their reaction to the original pictures. It was heartwarming to see how grateful they were for this gift.

Next, I spent all morning in the intermediate grades until finally I got into first grade. They are so adorable and the most attentive group I have worked with so far. Even when it was time for their lunch they didn't want to stop learning.

Unfortunately, there are riots and protests happening around Khayelitsha since Saturday so things are a little unsettled. I hope it does not affect my ability to continue to educate the students and staff at Vuzamanzi Primary School. Everyone here is so dedicated and eager to learn. Unfortunately, political unrest exists here, much like everywhere. The people here are suffering so badly.

Well, that is all for now. I have to get my lessons ready for tomorrow and get a little shut eye.

See you soon.

Laura and Fran

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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.