Two Samaritans teach Skoonplaas children values
Ten children from Skoonplaas Informal Settlement are being tutored at the AGS Jesus is Light Church.
San van Wyk from the church’s feeding project has a passion for the residents of Skoonplaas and teaches them various things every Thursday.
She has been involved with the children of the area for a long time, but this present project started on May 28.
At first her plans were to build a community centre at the informal settlement, where the children could be taught basic skills and receive pre-school training.
But the metro informed her no fixed structure is allowed to be built at informal settlements.
Her dreams were not shattered by this, instead with her determination she saw a way out and the toddlers are currently being looked after at the feeding scheme hall in Eastvale.
“My purpose in life is to reach out to the community,” says San.
With the help of one of the Skoonplaas residents Olga Magagula, she managed to get 10 toddlers aged three to six, to come to the church in Eastvale.
Every Thursday the toddlers gather at Olga’s house, waiting for her to walk with them to the church, which is almost two kiliometres away from the informal settlement.
Thursday morning (July 24) they arrived at Olga’s house at 7.30am, saying ‘we want to go to school’.
Instead of starting at 9am, they arrived at the hall at 8.30am, eager to see San and what is on the menu for the day.
They eat porridge and get something to drink before the day’s lesson starts.
With Olga translating into isiZulu, the children share their stories of the past week.
San says they are not a registered pre-school and do not follow an education syllabus, but try to teach the children values, discipline, how to count and identify the left and right side of their bodies.
According to San they enjoy the songs and clap their hands while they sing.
They learn about hygiene by washing their hands before they eat, play or do artwork.
San says some of the older toddlers already write the words one and two and can count to 10.
They play outside after the lessons and before they leave at 11am, each child receives a packet of sweets.
On their way home, they share their experiences of the day with Olga and tell her they cannot wait for the next Thursday.
“These children do not always get food at their homes, but we make sure they get a plate of food on a ‘school’ day,” says San.
She adds that it is good to know they can help someone else.
