Harnessing the power of individuals through education
Welverdiend Primary School is the largest of three primary schools serving the Welverdiend community, with an enrolment of more than 800 pupils. Previously classes were being conducted outdoors under the trees, in wind, rain or shine, and the demand for a more suitable learning environment became a necessity.
In 2004, Africa Foundation began to support the school with the construction of a double set of classrooms. Through continued partnership, the school facilities have further improved to include a kitchen, Enviro Loos, rainwater harvesting system and a media centre.
With unemployment at 60% in the village, the media centre plays host to adult-based education classes in the evening; assisting in equipping young job-seekers with relevant skills.
Through partnership with &Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge over 200 children from Welverdiend Primary have participated in conservation lessons and experienced a game drive, exposing them to the wildlife on their doorstep that many of them never have the opportunity to see.
Between Welverdiend and Hluvukani lies the village of Tlhavekisa. With a population of over 4,000, the area offered three pre-schools and a primary school but no secondary school. Consequently, the youth were travelling up to 14km daily to reach high schools in Hluvukani, or dropping out of school after primary level. In 2012, the Community Development Forum met with Africa Foundation raising these concerns and proposing the construction of a high school in Thlavakisa.
A generous donation to Africa Foundation for the construction of a school, led to seven classrooms, 10 Enviro Loos and an administration block being built, just one kilometre away from the village primary school. The school doors opened in 2013, with 274 leaners enrolled. Today the school meets the educational need of over 500 children.
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