![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2017/03/11lbwest_89878.jpg)
THE much-needed renovation of West Ridge High School’s Brick-Making Workshop has been made possible by a donation from the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet’s Thuso Fund.
West Ridge High School is a centre of learning for more than 700 children with special education needs in the central Durban area. It is also currently the only school in the area offering a specialised vocational curriculum to enhance the employment opportunities for high school children with learning challenges.
The Thuso Fund for Schools and Charities was created by MySchool to support under-resourced schools and charities across South Africa through the funding of special projects. It focuses on initiatives that address specific school and learner needs. In 2014, West Ridge High received a R240 000 sponsorship for 36 new computers for its computer library from the Fund. The latest funding of more than R360 000 covers the building costs of a substantial upgrade to transform the school’s Brick-Making Workshop into a space conducive for learning.
“The delivery of our skills-based programme has been affected by our challenges with both space restrictions and the quality of our facilities. This extension and renovation of the workshop is going to make a big difference in the lives of our learners and educators. Skills training, such as brick-making, is an essential part of our offering as we need to meet the needs of many learners who may be unable to master literacy and numeracy at the levels that would enable them to be otherwise employed,” said Dr Seetal, the West Ridge High principal.
MySchool’s General Manager, Pieter Twine, said: “We are delighted that we have once again been able to support West Ridge High in its efforts to provide a meaningful education. Our Thuso Fund specifically aims to help get funds raised through the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet programme to highly deserving schools such as this one. It helps us to make the difference in the communities where the needs are greatest, and we thank the MySchool cardholders who have helped to raise these funds.”