They don’t have a classroom, walls or a blackboard, but that is not preventing a group of intelligent youth from improving their education.
Indwe Africa, named after the vulnerable blue crane bird, opened its ‘doors’ to three learners at the beginning of the 2019 school year. Classes were held under a huge mango tree in Lower Illovo.
As a testament to its creator, Iris Canham’s tenacity in trying circumstances, the little school and after-care is now bulging at the seams with 70 learners from the ages of three to 21.
“We started under the tree and when it used to rain, we would sit under umbrellas,” she laughed at the memory. “We were worried about the children’s safety, so the pastor of the Olivet Christian Fellowship church kindly offered us the use of their premises,” she added. Classes are now conducted either under another huge tree or carport.
READ ALSO: Toti school donates desks to deserving pupils
From 7.30am to 12.15am Iris and her colleagues teach pre-schoolers as a neighbouring school’s intake is from grade R. There is no pre-school in the area and the neighbouring school has 50 Grade R learners to one teacher.
From 12.15pm they open their doors to the older children, who came for more advanced reading classes, and extra tutorial. “Literacy is a big problem in this area. I have come across children as old as 11 who cannot read,” said Iris.
Indwe Africa focuses on early childhood development (ECD), and they are striving towards creating a model and training people to follow that model.
“This is not the ideal environment in which to be doing it. We have reached the limits with the church’s property, as it has grown so quickly. But we will continue to persevere as long as there is work to be done and teachers we need to train.
READ ALSO: 10 Signs your child is in a good school
“We currently have a gap with our teenagers because of the lack of decent premises. Once we can better establish ourselves, they are waiting to join our programmes,” she said.
Indwe Africa follows the Montessori approach to ECD but combines this with indigenous games and a philosophy of sustainable programmes in order to change the mindset of youth.
It desperately needs the Amanzimtoti community’s help. “More than anything else we need a premises, even if it is in Amanzimtoti. We can then still run satellite classes in Lower Illovo and surrounds.
“We also need reading books – learn to read books for the younger ones and readers for our grade 4 to grade 7 learners and any library books, as we would like to start a book club,” said Iris.
The school also needs a printer, paper, pens, coloured pencils, pencils and any science laboratory equipment, as there is a growing need to learn more about science from the young learners. If you can help, call Iris on 074-440-6085.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
