The hand that rocks the cradle

Many of the young girls at the School of Hope write their Grade 12 exams with a book in the one hand and a baby in the other.

The reason we advocate for young mothers to complete education at almost any cost, is because we believe that an educated mother is almost certainly going to result in an educated child. Gaylene (2009 Bachelors pass), Bianca (2011 Diploma pass) and Fatimah (2012 Bachelors pass) are all School of Hope alumni who managed to successfully balance academics and motherhood. This year, there are three more mothers bravely facing their up-coming Grade 12 trial exams.

We asked our learners why education is important to them.

Jasmine and Faeeda

Jasmine (19): "My education is important to me because I know that without it I cannot make a success of my life. I grew up in a broken home - my father was on drugs and my mother was sick and depended on me. I also had the responsibility of looking after my brother and sister since I was 15. That's when I realised how important education is. Along the way I made some mistakes. I dropped out of school in Grade 11 and used drugs and alcohol to make me feel better. A friend motivated me to enroll at the School of Hope and soon after, I discovered I was pregnant. Now the most important thing for me is for my child to grow up in a loving home,  finish her education and make something of her life." Jasmine has one daughter, 14 months old.

Thandiswa (21): "Many women end up single mothers and they need to be able to create a better future for their children and themselves.  Today getting an education is easier than in the past so we need to grab the opportunity, we need to have the urge to complete our education. We need to break the chain of poverty in order to succeed. Education gives the opportunity for work and security for our children even when we are no longer there." Thandiswa has two children, a girl,3 years old, and a boy, 8 months old.

Jasmine and Thandiswa are both currently in Grade 12, and both want to study Education.

Shakeelah (18): "Without education it will be more difficult to get work, provide for your family and be independent. Jobs are few but by studying further and  qualifying, you have a better chance at getting work." Shakeelah is in Grade 10 and wants a career in travel and tourism. She has an 8-month old baby boy
.

Fatimah (with daughter Ayeesha) is
currently studying Humanities at Stellenbosch University

William Ross Wallace said it best when he penned these words:

Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world. 

March News

A new face at School of Hope and Thandeka starts the next phase of her journey

Daryn Jones (social worker) has only been working at School of Hope since March 1st, but already she has made herself indispensible. What were we doing without her? She is always on the go, thinking of new ways to add value to the school and to offer the learners a better service. She organised an outstanding Career Week, launching the career development programme with great enthusiasm. Says Daryn of her new role: "This is a very challenging position but i feel inspired and passionate about it. I know I will learn a lot from the learners at the School of Hope."

Thandeka Deda's inspiring story has been the subject of this blog before. This time last year she travelled to Sweden on an exchange programme. Later in 2012, she was named as School of Hope's Valedictorian and received a R20 000 bursary to further studies of her choice. Today she is making her dreams a reality. This month she started tuition at Hugenot College in Worcester, studying Auxillary Social Work.

She joins many others who have gone on to tersiary studies: Lunga Mdingi, is in his final year at Damelin College, studying Business. Khumbula Mdende perseveres at Cornerstone Institute, now in his third year, studying Community Development. Kirsten Cupido is in her second year at Chefs and Hospitality Skills Academy. Fatimah Santon has settled into her studies at Stellenbosch University.

We are equally proud of our working alumni, Nigel Prins working at the Boca West Country Club in Florida, USA, Thoriq Taylor at the Mount Nelson, Dawood Van Der Fort at Pick&Pay, Masakhane Mdende at Aubergines Restaurant, Manhino Dias, co-owner of Shack Records and Meghan Martin at American Swiss.

On Saturday morning I was pleasantly surprised to bump into Bianca Moyakhe who matriculated in 2011. She has been working at Cape Union Mart since mid-2012 and has recently been transferred to the branch in my neighbourhood! I caught her in the act, in front of the camping gear on display at the Bayside Centre!

Watching our learners graduate is a joy in itself, but seeing them make a success of their lives beyond School of Hope is the real reward for the hard working teachers and staff at School of Hope . They make us so proud!

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.’