Education

Education

We talk about our children as being our most precious treasures, and yet many of our schools are run down, they don’t have good resources, children are hungry, and the quality of education is poor. We also have many adults among us who are illiterate or semi-literate, and even more of us who, as we’ve gotten older, have given up on learning new skills or knowledge or behaviours.

What if we commit to becoming lifelong learners, making a habit of finding things that fascinate us and learning about them, no matter our age or circumstances? What if we become examples of always-learning, always-growing people – to our families and friends around us?

What if we help our schools become places of care and support – vibrant neighbourhood centres of learning and community nourishment? Places where children are busy every afternoon with cultural and sports activities – activities that keep them off the streets and build their sense of self-worth.

What if our schools could be places where children knew there was someone who would listen to them when they felt sad, afraid or depressed? A place where they could get a good meal every day and not worry if they did not have the correct uniform or shoes.

IDEAS FOR ACTION (from www.forgood.co.za)

• Volunteer to help at your local school. Ask the principal/school governing body what is needed. You could spend a morning doing basic maintenance, for example.
• Set up a group to walk children home from school.
• Find something that interests you and learn more about it. This will model lifelong learning behaviour to children in your home and enrich your own life. It does not have to be a formal course – you can learn from the radio and books at the library.
• Spend time reading or telling stories to children in your household, even the very small children.
• Offer to come in to your local school and listen to younger children read. Practice is important, as children begin to learn and teachers never have enough time for this.
• Offer to cover library books, and help keep the library organised.
• If you have children at school make time to ask them about school. Ask to see their books and to tell you about what they learned.
  • Monitor and help with their daily homework. It doesn’t matter if you do not always know something about the topic – you can still be encouraging.
  • Involve them in discussions about a variety of interesting subjects, especially those that they are excited about.
  • Encourage them every day to do something that involves writing, reading and basic calculations. Creating games of these can make this fun.
  • Wake them up with lots of time to get to school. Also, encourage them to pack their bags the night before school. It is important for them to be at school on time.
• Collect items that the school needs by organising with friends and groups you have contact with. Old school uniforms and shoes are always useful.
• Volunteer through your local church or a local NGO/CBO group to provide basic listening and guidance support to children who need it.
• Volunteer to give money every month for stationery and books and additional feeding for a needy child.

 

RESOURCES

Children’s Resource Centre (CRC)
CRC runs a programme for children by children that includes health clubs and a Schools In Motion (SIM) programme in schools in 7 of the 9 provinces. Contact them if you want to start a club in your school.
Tel: 021 – 686 6898
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Website: www.childrensmovement.org.za

Soul Buddyz Clubs
Soul Buddyz Club assist interested persons to established a fun and positive club for children (ages 8 -12), which respects their views and capacity as agents for change, and provides valuable health and social information. Contact them if you’re interested in establishing a club at your school.
Tel: 011 - 341 0360
Website: www.soulcity.org.za/programmes/the-soul-buddyz-series/soul-buddyzclub

TogetherSchools
TogetherSchools’ vision is to help schools become safe, healthy, happy places of learning where results improve year on year. The organisation has developed a process that enables corporates/businesses to engage with schools on a “one-corporate-one-school” basis that ensures sustainability and ensures the relationship between the corporate and the school is fully empowered and contractual.
Tel: 011 - 463 5713
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World Vision
Help a child living in poverty by sponsoring them on a monthly basis through World Vision.
Tel: 0861 101 888 or 011 - 671 1300
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Website: www.worldvision.org.za

Big Brothers Big Sisters South Africa
BBBSSA is a mentoring programme that matches youth in need with carefully selected and trained adult volunteers in one-to-one relationships that help them maximise their potential. By volunteering just one hour a week, you can influence the life of one of these children forever, and give them hope for a better future.
Tel: 021 - 551 6996
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Website: www.bbbssa.org.za

Valued Citizens Initiative
Valued Citizens Initiative provides citizenship education at primary and high schools level, infused into the curriculum in Social Sciences and Life Orientation. We offer School Management Team and Educators training on Values and Citizenship principles throughout the year and facilitate the programme in the classroom. Our aim is to restore and sustain the moral fibre of our nation to make sure that all the citizens take responsibility for their civic rights, abide by the rule of law and take pride in their national identity. We also offer Youth Camps throughout the year with four different programmes: Citizenship Education, Leadership, Self-Journey to boost Self-Esteem and Ambassadorship.
Tel: 011 - 403 7000
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Website: www.valuedcitiens.co.za