Building Successful Futures Through Education
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
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Last March, South Africa went into full lockdown due to the global pandemic with Level 5 restrictions closing schools, shuttering businesses, and restricting travel. The challenges of 2020 have rolled over to 2021 with restrictions downgraded to level one while still dealing with COVID and vaccination availability limited.
The pandemic forced the cancellation of Arm in Arm in Africa’s annual delegation trip to South Africa this year. To keep in touch with our partners, AIAIA held virtual delegation zoom meetings this spring to check in and learn firsthand how their lives are faring and to reinforce our emotional and financial support.
AIAIA is very encouraged to learn of the progress being made as we support preschool, primary and high school education in South Africa.
Malungeni:
Preschool education resumed full-time at the end of January. With funding from AIAIA, physical improvements to school buildings have been completed including painting, electrical updates, an improved gate, and new toilets. The remaining projects are a new fence and painting the roof.
Plans are in motion this year for workshop training for the preschool teachers which may include teachers in surrounding neighborhoods to fortify techniques and therefore success for all.
AIAIA supports Malungeni education with preschool teacher salaries, building maintenance and teacher workshops.
Touching Acts Boarding Home: the 20 children living here were homeschooled by their caregivers for 5 months in 2020 with skills levels increasing in the nurtured, safe environment. One child attends a school for children with special needs, 16 children attend St. Patrick's grade school and 3 are at St. John’s High School. School has resumed in staggered smaller classes which enables quality time with learners enhancing their learning skills and improving performance. The high schoolers are learning to use computers with internet connectivity and will be the first to attend and graduate high school in more than a decade from Sowetho (Itipini). These children come from extremely challenging conditions and their parents have consented to have them live and attend school away from the township with regularly scheduled visits. In a letter from Touching Acts:
The organization is grateful to every AIAIA member who tirelessly sees to it that the mandate of funding Touching Acts’ children is fulfilled. It’s an overwhelming feeling to see the vision slowly but surely molding into place and, as such, Touching Acts is ultimately grateful for the incomprehensible love AIAIA has shown us by holding our hands again in the uncertain year 2021, with COVID still raging. AIAIA’s unwavering support is something that will always melt our hearts as an organization.
AIAIA supports Touching Acts with funds for transportation, uniforms, shoes, and school supplies.
Fun Learning for Youth (FLY)
The high school tutoring program went into hibernation for most of 2020 due to COVID restrictions in Cape Town. In late fall, smaller classes resumed aided by an educational application, Smart Mobile Learning. Resumption of the 50% smaller Saturday tutoring classes this year made learners and tutors alike appreciate the benefits and joy of the human connection. Tutors were extremely impressed with the resilience of the learners after such a long break from school and tutoring.
At the current time there is a significant dropout rate at FLY of 20%+ due to learners losing parents and grandparents to COVID as well as some fear of returning to classes and virus exposure. The biggest challenge with remote learning is access to smart phones, tablets, laptops, Wi-Fi, and data. Due to the high cost of data in South Africa, FLY has prioritized funds for data for learners. In addition, businesses have donated reconditioned or used tablets and laptops, with devices stored at the tutoring centers due to high crime and fear of learners being robbed on their way to and from FLY sessions.
FLY reported that 6 alumni have overcome personal and community challenges to succeed in post high school education. The dedication of the FLY team to learners even after their departure from the program is commendable. FLY’s tagline -- To Empower Young Minds -- has not changed; it has only been reinforced.
AIAIA supports Fun Learning for Youth with funds for their operating budget: transportation, class supplies, technical tools, and lunch.
It was a pleasure to connect with our partners in South Africa via zoom to hear their updates and stories. Our commitment and support are even more crucial in these unparalleled times. In the spirit of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.”
Julie Vogl
Education Committee Chair