Nkandla is very rural, and Velangaye is located in a remote area of the community. The distance between home and school is very far for most learners.For some of the learners we met in 2005, living on the concrete floors of two empty classrooms was their only hope. It afforded them the opportunity to study at night with their teachers and peers. This extra work just might make the difference in their matric scores and their chance of being accepted at the university.
In January, 2006 (the start of the new school year in South Africa) The Africa Project donated money that was used to refurbish several classrooms, including the two that were the makeshift boarding rooms for some 30 students.
In addition to the paint and window repairs, The Africa Project purchased 30 mattresses from a local merchant, who was so moved by the effort that he donated another 20 mattresses to the cause. Sr. Hedwig found another donor to provide bed frames for the mattresses so the children would be off of the ground. Homemade curtains were hung on the windows, providing some privacy (and making it a little less scary at night.)
When we visited the school later that summer, the students beamed as they showed us their new living space. The bright (pepto bismol) pink walls were a bit of a shock to us, but the girls loved the color. "It is so warm, don't you think?"
Make no mistake, these improvements were small in comparison to the needs of the school. But it meant a lot to the children. And it was a great first step.
In addition to the paint and window repairs, The Africa Project purchased 30 mattresses from a local merchant, who was so moved by the effort that he donated another 20 mattresses to the cause. Sr. Hedwig found another donor to provide bed frames for the mattresses so the children would be off of the ground. Homemade curtains were hung on the windows, providing some privacy (and making it a little less scary at night.)
When we visited the school later that summer, the students beamed as they showed us their new living space. The bright (pepto bismol) pink walls were a bit of a shock to us, but the girls loved the color. "It is so warm, don't you think?"
Make no mistake, these improvements were small in comparison to the needs of the school. But it meant a lot to the children. And it was a great first step.
