Three years ago, in the heart of Salt Lake, a foundation phase teacher initiated a stationery and shoe drive to assist the parents of pupils in the impoverished area.
And amid challenges such as overcrowded classes and dilapidated ablution facilities, Tuskeen Salie, who is both the head of the foundation phase at Van der Kemp Primary and cluster head for schools in the Salt Lake area, continues to lighten the load for unemployed parents.
“I have been doing this drive since Covid-19, as our parents and learners were hit hard due to the pandemic,” Salie said.
“Providing high-quality education without the basic writing materials or having a child not return to school due to not having school shoes, hit me hard as a mother.”
The drive, which began in 2022, received overwhelming support, allowing each teacher to distribute essential stationery to pupils in dire need from Van der Kemp Primary School’s 20 teachers and 700 pupils.
“We are a no-fee feeding scheme, dual-medium school, and our pupils range from grade R to 7,” Salie said.
“We cater not only to children residing in the immediate community but also to those from outside the community.”
Salie envisions the school as a centre of excellence for basic quality education and training, equipped with pupil and teacher-friendly facilities and resources.
She aims to ensure a healthy, safe school environment conducive to learning, teaching, training and community development.
However, the school faces numerous challenges.
“We have many challenges, such as bathroom facilities that are falling apart, no electricity except for the office and overcrowded classes,” Salie said.
“But ensuring our children have what they need outweighs it all.”
Salie humbly requested assistance with purchasing stationery such as pencils, erasers, rulers, pencil crayons, or crayons and scissors.
“Because of your willingness to donate, together we ensure no child will be left behind,” she said.
Similarly, the United Congregational Church Chatty has identified a need among primary school pupils and embarked on a school clothes project, further highlighting the community’s commitment to supporting education.
“As a church, we value our community and the people who live in it,” church secretary Riaan Majiedt said.
“That is why we are embarking on the initiative to collect donations for school clothes.
“We want to donate school shirts, shoes and socks to pupils from six to 12 years old at the Greenville, Bethelsdorp Road, Bethvale and Dr A.W Habelgaarn primary schools in the Bloemendal area.”
Salie and Majiedt are willing to collect any donations offered.
HeraldLIVE
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