Paint and pictures brighten poor circumstances

Children are the future of this country and they need to receive a good education in order to ensure that they can be a valuable asset for the future of this country. Unfortunately many children in the informal settlement of Kya Sand, can’t afford to attend school and therefore often wander the streets.

Phillip Shapiro, founder of Build the Future in Kya Sand, realised the need for a pre-school that could accommodate parents with very little income. The pre-school started in early 2014 with one 6m container and seven children. Shapiro explained that the school fee is only R50 a month, so they rely on the help of the community and sponsors in able to fulfill their needs.

Since 2014 the school has grown with five containers and 75 pupils ranging from ages three to five and also boasts a vegetable garden and a bike track, . “I would love to add a chicken coop, but I am no expert so would need someone to assist us with the chicken coop,” said Shapiro. He added that they want to have five or six egg-laying chickens as the eggs could be used in the two meals a day that the school provides to the pupils.

The colourful containers with happy pictures painted on them is a stark contrast to the sad background of the informal settlement. Shapiro said that for only R50 the children get the best chance at life. On Mondays they have music lessons, on Tuesdays they have yoga, on Wednesdays they have dance classes and on Thursdays they have playball, all donated to them.

“The teachers are women from the community, that had no work and no hope. We created jobs for them,” explained Shapiro. The garden is maintained by Stefanie Sebushi and also provides vegetables for the meals.

Shapiro asked for donations of any non-perishable food, volunteers for their new homework project, gardeners and people to help with the chicken coop.

Details: Build the Future, 082 343 8886.

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