This Saturday morning past saw a group of tweeters, press, teachers and school-kids arrive at Christel House SA in Ottery for what was truly an eye-opening experience. We planted trees on the school grounds, sharing in the construction and landscaping of what is truly an incredible institution. The Christel House school is an institution that provides education and nourishment to under-privelaged youths (grade RO to Matric) from the surrounding areas. The school bus fetches and returns the children daily, as well as the dining hall providing nutritionally balanced nourishment to the students. We had the opportunity to share in the construction of the brand new Christel House school premisis, as well as a walk-through tour of the grounds and the incredible fascilities the school is offering to it’s students.
Costing in the same bracket as an average public school in South Africa, it is a wonder why more schools have yet to adopt the Christel House SA model. With two sports fields (including a cricket pitch), lush fertile grounds, spacious classrooms, a vegetable garden for each classroom and a host of other fascilities, Christel House SA provides a place where students want to be, to learn and to develop.
The institution is even more special than the above. The wireless library (computers and printed media) not only caters for the students, but for the parents as well. This allows parents who have never had computer training to learn, grow and advance their skills set. In addition to this, the community surrounding the school is actively involved in the project, having provided jobs in the construction and landscaping industries for those who were previously unemployed and without a qualification.
Words can only say so much. To truly experience the awesome nature of this school, the only thing to do is to call them, arrange a time and visit the school. The kids started today on the new site (moving from cramped classrooms to this new open property). I wish I could see the reactions on their faces to the incredible property that has been constructed for them.
Planting a tree is a universal sign of hope and peace. I feel so humbled to have been a part of this project in some way. Thanks so much to everyone who came through to the tweet-up for a cause, and especially to @TalyaGoldberg for organising the morning and putting so much of herself into the project. 🙂
For more information, visit http://www.christelhousesablog.co.za
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