The skills project
In 2021 a Skills Programme was set up for the children and then for adults. We wished to utilise the Friday afternoons, when there is no homework school and identified two large gaps in the government curriculum for junior schools. No computer skills are taught, despite assignments being set on computers with no access to computers at home and there is no opportunity for the children to express themselves through Arts and Crafts.
In addition the skills programme is offering plumbing workshops for women. It was highlighted that women home alone won’t ask for help with basic plumbing needs due to the high rate of violence and rate in the township. The skills programme helped women become more self-sufficient and even enabled some women to gain employment.
As a result
In “Plumbing for Women” workshops were held for parents and other community members. There were a total of 216 attendees; of 35 regulars 6 have been appointed as water ambassadors for the township and have already been attending minor repairs under the guidance of a skilled plumber. Women plumbers are of special importance since there is a real fear of sexual violence if an unknown man is called in to do a job. 1 of the woman has been given full time employment in plumbing with an apprenticeship. These workshops will be on going through the year.
2 women have been selected for an entrepreneurial programme in Business skills for 2022 sponsored by Woolworths.
In 2022 we plan to hold DIY workshops for both men and women.
As a result
All Grade 7 children (12 – 13 years) completed a Computer skills Course to the stage where they are able to write their school projects on the computer, hence preparing them for High School in 2022.
All Grade 6 children received basic computer skills.
We purchased 4 new laptops and upgraded the software on 6 other Computers. A projector and a screen were also purchased.
40 children aged 8-12 completed an Arts & Crafts programme. They also had various outings to local Art Galleries. This was their first excursion out of the Township since 2019.
All children in the Skills Programme received a cooked lunch on the day of study.
Several film days for all the children in the school were held in the school holidays using the new projector. Popcorn and cool drinks were served.
