State of a nation... addressed!

by Laura Collura, Principal at the School of Hope

We all want to hear some good news about our beloved nation. At the School of Hope we are playing our part in addressing one of the most important issues facing South Africa: education. While we ponder the state of our nation, there are more than 60 young people who have matriculated from the School of Hope since 2008 who would not have finished their schooling otherwise. Young girls who are mothers, boys trapped in gangsterism and drug abuse and young men desperate to complete their schooling are amongst the brave young people who have made it to Grade 12 and are now either meaningfully employed or studying further to obtain a diploma or degree.

Byronne Essack -Valedictorian 2014-
 was awarded the Denver Andreas
Scholarship with which he intends
studying sound production.

Nine more individuals joined this group of successful learners who overcame all the odds stacked against them to complete the National Senior Certificate in November 2014. Amongst them, Carlo Sabotker from Delft and Zubair Cader from Mitchell's Plein who made us proud by passing their national examinations and are both enrolled at False Bay College to study Electrical Engineering in 2015. Top students Yanga Mtule from Nyanga and Byronne Essack from Belhar are pursuing their passion for music before settling into their future studies. They have produced two original music videos in the process of chasing their musical dreams. They join the alumni who grace the halls of Stellenbosch University, those studying through UNISA - and those who are working on their career.


Zubair Cader will be studying at
False Bay College from May2015.

This year, 130 learners have made the all-important decision to enroll and are aiming to complete their education in spite of the challenges that have made it difficult for them to do so. This is a record enrollment and includes sixteen Grade 12 students. Indeed, this is good news for our city, which boasts some of the best schools in the country but is also plagued with unacceptable high school drop-out rates.

With 96 applicants already on the waiting list for 2016, it is clear that many children, youth and their parents are anxious for a chance to be part of the solution. We are privileged to be making a difference in this city, bringing hope to those who need it the most.

Meet Destino Nzonzidi, a Man with a Destiny

My first time visiting School of Hope after I arrived in South Africa, I had the privilege of meeting a remarkable young man by the name of Destino Nzonzidi from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  I was blown away by how he overcame the odds stacked against him.

 

This is Destino’s Story

My name is Destino Nzonzidi.  I came to South Africa from DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo) in 2008.  I was playing for the national soccer team in Zambia in grade 12.  We lost games in a tournament and couldn’t go home because the fans were waiting to beat us when I arrived.  We feared for our lives.

My aunt told me I needed to go back to school, so I decided to do that instead of pursuing a professional soccer career in South Africa.  I tried looking at alternative schools to finish my education starting at grade twelve and was placed in grade eight because my first language is French and I couldn’t speak English very well.

When I started at grade eight in 2009, I failed.  I tried again in 2010 and failed once again.  Someone suggested I go to English school.  I did that for two months and when I finished, I came to School of Hope in 2011 and they enrolled me in grade eleven!

I am a Christian and have always been one, even in DR Congo.  In addition to the teaching, we have devotions every morning at School of Hope and it helps me know how to deal with the day-to-day problems that come my way and remind me of who I am as a person.

Is there a particular person that went out of their way for you at School of Hope?

One person that greatly influenced me was a School of Hope volunteer from England, Andy Lee, who also spoke French.  He helped me when I had difficulty understanding English and would translate for me.  My marks improved and even though I’d failed grade eight in another school, I was able to pass grade eleven with Andy’s tutelage.

What do you plan to do after you graduate?

From here, I am pursuing a degree for three years and after that I am willing to do my master and doctoral in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) and at same time continue to run the political program I am running now.

What do you see yourself doing in the future?

I see myself in the senate and as the future president of DR Congo, fighting for equality, peace and love for the whole continent of Africa:

- Equality for all of Africa in economical, politics and social classes, whichever race you are.

- Peace for all of Africa, and to let the whole world know that Africa is the home of war.

- And to love one other as Africans, love our visitors, love our nations.

Additionally, I see myself participating in organisations helping youth, like people have helped me.

What is the one thing that School of Hope did for you that stands out most?

They gave me knowledge.  I lost hope that I would graduate, but School of Hope gave me hope and I started believing in myself.  No matter what I am going through now and however big my goals are, I am able to achieve them.

June News

As part of the curriculum for Life Orientation, the Grade 9 learners learned about environmental stewardship - exploring the benefits of recycling and pollution reduction. They experienced service by cleaning up their local community, and demonstrated the importance of environmental justice (a concept first introduced in South Africa during the early 90s). They showed ownership and responsibility when they were asked to make a difference in their school community.  The reality is that there are communities that receive little to no service in water, housing and waste reduction. Waste management is critical to energy preservation. We believe in preparing our learners (who were very much enthused on the day) to reach a point of confidence when discussing the effects of such issues. Moreover, they should always be geared to action!

Sipho Banda, Educator (English)

February News

Matric mom, 19, gets an A for perseverance!
This article appeared in two local papers in January 2013, following the announcement of the matric results.
Words by Tanya Petersen.

Fatimah Santon, 19, is proof that even when odds are stacked against you, anything is possible - even passing matric while taking care of your young child.

At 15, Fatimah, from Portland in Mitchell's Plain, fell pregnant during her Grade 10 year at Spine Road High School. At the time she felt it best to leave school.
Feeling despondent and with a baby on the way, Fatimah decided she had to go back to school. However, getting back into a mainstream school while being a mother was a bit tricky, she said. But she plucked up the courage and contacted the School of Hope in Bridgetown, which cares for children who struggle to continue their schooling at mainstream schools due to various circumstances.

In 2010, on January 18th, Fatimah started Grade 10 at the School of Hope. ‘A'ishah, my baby, was only two weeks old when I went back to school,’ she said. However, in spite of having the responsibility of being a mother and having to do well at school, Fatimah stepped up to both challenges. Now, two years later, Fatimah is a matriculant boasting excellent results, including three A's. During the two years that Fatimah attended School of Hope, she has been the top achiever every year. Her results have been so impressive that she managed to secure a full bursary to study a BA in Humanities at Stellenbosch University. A very excited Fatimah told the Athlone News that she had never expected to achieve so much in spite of the odds being against her. She attributes her success to her parents, her daughter and the staff at the School of Hope. ‘The school places special attention on each pupil,’ she said, adding that the ‘special attention’ has a positive impact on all the pupils and it boosts confidence - which makes them feel as if they can achieve anything they set out to achieve. ‘Before I came to the School of Hope I was very insecure. I was also not open with my parents. Here you are someone. The teachers care here and it helps with confidence. At the School of Hope you are not just a number. When you are sad, they ask what is wrong.’

Fatimah's secret to success is balance. ‘When I am at home, I am a mother. I don't bring school work home with me.’ She explained that she tried to complete all her school work at school and when she was able to she would stay after school to study. But the extra classes that the school offered on the weekends also helped her tremendously, she said. But, she added, she would not have been able to achieve everything without the help of her parents. ‘When I needed to be at school, they looked after my daughter.’ Her parents, Jamill and Camilla Santon, both agree that they are very proud of Fatimah. Fatimah says her daughter has been her motivation. In spite of falling pregnant at 15, she had a choice to make a success of her life or not - she chose to make a way to become successful. ‘There is always a way,’ she says. Her advice to people is to never give up. ‘Things that happen in your life can be overpowering, but you shouldn't stay focused on what you did - you need to see that it happened and move past it.’

Learners from School of Hope show “Hospitality” to ITS Solar, generous donors of the Thembalitsha Foundation.

The Grade 11 Hospitality Studies  Class of 2012 presented their final practical, a three-course meal, to one of the Thembalistha Foundation’s loyal supporters, ITS Solar who are South Africa's leading heat pump and solar water heating supplier.

Learners set a beautiful table and served the company's employees a tantalising menu comprised of a trio-of-fish starter and a hint of Moroccan cuisine for the main meal. The lunch ended off on a sweet note with a raspberry trifle topped with berry compote.  Learners had an opportunity to practice their silver service and culinary skills on worthy guests. They also shared some of their inspirational stories.
 In a much-appreciated thank you letter, Director Riaan Honeyborne had this to say:

"Ons by ITS-Solar wil net vir julle baie dankie se vir die ete wat julle vir ons voorberei en bedien het. Dit was baie lekker gewees en julle is enige tyd welkom om dit weer by ons te kom doen.
Ons waardeer dit baie."

The Grade 11 class has an 89% pass rate for 2012. Well done to them and to their amazing teachers for this outstanding result!

The students and their amazing creations!