February News

Wilmona, new Afrikaans teacher

A great ending makes for a great beginning and with the wake of the victory of 2011 behind us, the path ahead has been a joy!

Three new educators joined the team this year. Nhau Mapfirakupa will teach Maths Literacy, Mathematics and Natural Science. He is as serious about maths as a teacher can be and he has brought professionalism and a no-nonsense attitude to the school family. "It is my first time in an institution like this one where there is too much love and caring for each other. Our learners are a special group and they know we are a good family at school. The danger may be with those who can take advantage of the love and care extended to them."

"Most of my learners just hate my subject, Maths, so my priority is to make them love Maths, as it is a condition to passing the subject."

Adekunle, Tourism & Technology

Adekunle Oyewo is the new Tourism and Technology teacher. There is nothing he will not do to add value to the staff team and the family of learners. He has morphed into IT Technician Extraordinaire, Soccer Coach Supreme and Magnificent Handy Man. This is what he says about the first two months: "My experience so far has been wonderful. School of Hope is not only a school but a family where anyone from any diversity can call this a home. The team spirit is great and very supportive. The learners are respectful and cooperative. The Principal has been a role model; she exhibits a wonderful open-door policy which makes her really approachable at any time."

Nhau, Maths

"The school is not just a place of work for me but a second home. Sometimes I have to remind myself that its time to lock up and go! I find the environment very conducive to learning. It has been a wonderful experience so far and I will to anything to stay at the School of Hope."

Wilmona Fortuin goes about her important work as Afrikaans teacher with elegance and grace but at the core she is as tough as nails. Her gentle nature is balanced by a desire for truth and justice. She writes, "As the Afrikaans teacher at a school where the majority of learners are English-speaking, I felt I had a challenging task ahead. Looking back on the first two months, it has been a great experience. The learners are really accepting and welcoming".

"The School is definitely more like a family; the teachers are supportive and willing to help. So I feel privileged to be part of such a dynamic and loving group of people. The school is a well-organized system in which you, whether as a learner or as a teacher, will never get lost. I am in love with the School of Hope."

Tamsyn

Tamsyn Willemse (19), who matriculated in 2011, has joined the team as a volunteer. She says: "It is great to give back to the school because the school did so much for me. I am learning a lot about administration and how to answer the phone and speak to people who make enquiries, as well as how to organize files."

The new learners all started school a week early to submit themselves to an arduous orientation during which they were forced to change their negative paradigms about school and look at the relationships, values and responsibilities at School of Hope differently to any other school they may have attended (and opted out of) in the past.

So, finally, we hear from two new learners at the school. Christolene Williams (15) who lives at Marsh Memorial Children's Home, writes, "I did not know if I was doing the right thing going to the School of Hope but as I settled in I felt like I belonged. I knew the teachers would be helpful but now I am thinking: wow! Everyone is friendly and they are like your own family. I am doing better in my school work so far and I am proud of myself."

Pholani Moyakhe (17), whose sister Bianca matriculated in 2011, had big shoes to follow but she has taken it in her stride: "I have been really happy in this school since the first day. The teachers are very kind and caring and they are open-hearted people who understand. The learners don't call each other names and many different races and cultures are represented and get on well with each other. I feel free at the School of Hope."

And so say all of us.

January News

Some of our graduates in New York earlier
in the year

The achievement of our 2011 matrics is a story of hope and perseverance against all odds. Many schools have achieved 100% passes, some with 200 or more matriculant but at the School of Hope, each of the nine learners who finally made it to Matric had been told it was impossible. Many of them had given up hope and for them this victory is sweet indeed.

For the educators and management it is a confirmation that our model works. Our admission policy does not allow us to pick the cream of applicants. We simply look for commitment to complete their education, regardless of their circumstances, aptitude for mathematics or academic potential. Every young person has the right to access to a good education, all that we require is commitment and that each learner has taken responsibility for their learning.

In an atmosphere of hope and our family-like environment, that dedication translates into success. This is why we have seen learners with learning disabilities, learners living in deep, desperate poverty, learners with babies and those with criminal records pass and leave the school as productive members of their community.

The outstanding Matric pass rate of 2011 is not the result of one person's diligence, but the leadership and dedication of a staff that simply will not give up on any young person that is part of the school family. Donors like Travelstart make it possible for us to hire the best teachers - those who are passionate about teaching and learning and who want to see every individual access the best education possible, regardless of where they come from or what they have done. Thank you, Travelstart, and all our consistent donors, for your contribution in 2011. You share in our victory!

December News

Kirsten and her mom, Jeanette, at her matric dance in April this year

Kirsten Cupido (20) dropped out of school in 2008 and spent the year at home, despondent. “I started to believe the lie that I was not good enough,” said Kirsten. She joined the School of Hope in 2009 as a quiet and timid Grade 10 learner. She surprised us in the middle of the year, when she ran for school Captain. In spite of making an outstanding speech, she lost to the charismatic Manhino Dias (matriculated 2010). Nonetheless, she ran again in 2010 and, yet again, lost to another outstanding leader, Fatimah Santon (Grade 11). Nonetheless, she continued to lead in many unrecognised ways; at least they were recognised by the general school population, but those astute amongst the staff certainly noticed. In her Grade 11 year, she made a life-altering decision to end the dysfunctional relationship she was in, to concentrate on securing a better future for herself. It was a decision that would change her life.Since then, she has shown consistency in her academics and has been a positive influence on her peers from Grade 10 till this day. In her words: “I never saw myself as the leader type, but my peers often commented on my good decision making.”

Kirsten is very enthusiastic about the prospect of studying further in the field of hospitality. At the Awards Evening she was named 2011 School of Hope Valedictorian. She is also the first recipient of the “Denver Andreas Award.” Denver Andreas was the founding principal of the School of Hope and served as such until 2003. In 2004, he was tragically killed in a motorcar accident, alongside his beloved wife, Rene. He was a champion of youth-at-risk and vulnerable children. It was difficult to know Denver and not be inspired by him. With this in mind, the Thembalitsha Foundation will make available R20 000 in Denver’s honour towards the study fees of each year’s Valedictorian.

Kirsten’s mom, Jeanette Cupido, wrote the following after the Awards Evening:

“When Kirsten joined School of Hope in 2009, we were pleased as we needed her to complete her school career. Little did we know that she would achieve such phenomenal results, and because of this we enrolled her brother, Kyle, a year later. Our children have not been happier or more eager to go to school.

The awards evening was spectacular (as it is every year).  Not only are the students awarded for good grades but also for their dress, attendance, leadership skills and perseverance. I particularly like the fact that the post matriculant’s progress is followed by the school, long after they leave. All through the Awards evening there was a general feeling of belonging and closeness, which I feel is evident in the good grades that most of your students achieve. It was also very interesting to see what has been achieved throughout the year and also the different activities that took place.

 Once again, thank you for awarding Kirsten the Valedictorian for 2011 and the bursary, which could not have come at a better time. I am sure I speak for all your students and parents when I say.....A BIG  THANK YOU to the Principal and staff for their dedication, patience and sacrifice to see our children complete their school careers.”

Amanda Nortjie, Thembalitsha’s fundraiser, was a special guest at our Awards Evening. Amanda said:

“I have been to a few graduations in my time, four to be exact, but what was it that made this one stand out most for me? Knowing the backgrounds of most of these learners, one knows the challenges and the hurdles that they overcome. There is a tangible bond between the learners as well as one between the learners and their Educators. Differences are embraced, hurdles overcome and a genuine celebration of work is experienced. The exuberance and celebration that took part in that hall that night ….if only one could bottle that and sell it! (As a fundraiser I think of any opportunity!) Last but not least, God is in that place in each and every heart, sowing a seed through the work of this school and the honoring of His children, both learners and educators. The best way to end off any graduation is with the school song. This school has the best school song I have ever heard (including my own). This particular night saw it being sung with extra gusto and to stand amongst those learners singing it, was a privilege. Laura and her staff are to be commended for the level of sincerity and the magic felt on that night. The learners are to be commended for being overcomers and achievers. What a fantastic celebration!”

Congratulations Kirsten and all the amazing Matrics of 2011. You inspire us to persevere.

October News

The late afternoon of Tuesday 11th October was just another mild spring day in Cape Town. As a whistle blew one last time on a sports field in Maitland one group of soccer players cheered and hugged each other in victory whilst the others, exhausted and disappointed, heads bowed, had to stomach the bitter taste of defeat..............and that was us!

Unfortunately we had just lost 3-0 in the Amandla Knock Out Competition Final to the B.E.S.T Centre, a team who we had previously beaten. It was just one of those days when nothing went “our way”- we forgot our game plan which we had rehearsed and used in other games to good effect and we had been unfortunate to have several key refereeing decisions go against us. Not a good way to end the season for the School of Hope Under 19 Soccer team.
However, with the following day I was able to see the positive side of our season – we had been beaten finalists in the Knock Out Trophy but Winners of the Amandla Under 19 League Competition so we have a trophy, winners medals and runners up medals to put on display in our reception after the Awards Ceremony at Athlone Stadium!
I think we also achieved in some other ways this season. We brought a “feel good” positive vibe to the whole school as we won games and lots of people were interested to come along and support or check out our league position the following day. By the end of the season our squad was up to 18 players!
We also decided as a squad to make “team” the key focus by voting for attendance at training and effort to be the criteria for team selection and making sure all substitutes got to play for some of the game. Finally, it was great to see leadership emerge as players took turns to lead training and take on other responsibility.
Roll on next season...................c’mon you School of Hope!!!

Written by: Andy Lee, Soccer Coach 2011

(Andy Lee (UK) is volunteering for a year at the School of Hope. Andy has brought a wealth of experience and a dollop of joy to our school. As the soccer coach he has balanced discipline and encouragement, work and play, positivity and reality. His approach made us winners – even if we were beaten in the final knock-out round. With ego slightly bruised but characters intact, the team has basked in their new-found glory from bottom of the pile to top of the league! Thank you, Andy, for your dedication and care. Each footballer felt it, every learner was inspired by it, and as for the staff, you made our job so much easier!)

September News

Education opens the doors and creates choices!

As such, career guidance is an integral part of ensuring that learners pursue a career path that they love, and that they are successful and employable after matriculating from high school.  Many high school learners find the world outside of school intimidating and are often unsure of how to navigate their way through the various career and study options out there.  At the School of Hope we recognise this.  We offer on-going career counseling to our Grade 12 learners and deal with this topic extensively in Life Orientation.

For the past four years we have a run a Career Week, where various professionals and tertiary institutions address our learners thus opening their eyes to the their career opportunities and also inspiring them to study further.  This year our career week ran during September and we had a number of professionals join us from different sectors.  It ran in the form of a career panel where each profession could share about the career and the learners had the opportunity to ask questions.

Michelle Johannes is a fashion designer with her very own fashion line, MiLiJo.  MiLiJo has had many successful fashion shows and can now be found in 2 boutiques in South Africa.  Michelle shared openly with our learners and made us laugh as she shared the highs and lows (mostly highs) of the fashion industry.  The love she has for fashion designing is apparent and she stressed the importance of pursuing a career that you love. We also had a number of professionals represent the tourism industry as many of our learners have a keen interest in tourism.  Rhonda Savage-Julie is the owner of Rhonda Tours & Explores, a tourism company that specializes in tours of the Cape Flats.  She could truly relate to our learners as she grew up in Bridgetown, Athlone.  Rhonda shared how she entered the tourism industry and gave the learners good insight into how they could enter this industry. Another inspiring speaker was Ayanda Tini.  Ayanda is a television presenter and actress but is best known as a radio DJ, with her own afternoon show on Good Hope FM. She shared her own life story as well as the ins and outs of the entertainment industry.  Our learners found her story inspirational and walked away with valuable tips on making it in this industry.

Career Week has become an institution at our school; each year the inspiration moves a learner to complete their schooling and pursue a career that will break the cycle of poverty in their family once and for all. It’s one more way the School of Hope is making poverty history.

Rhonda Savage

Ayanda Tini

August News

Education is the greatest gift you could ever give any girl-child or young woman. One woman represents ten who will be impacted, represents future children and their children’s children.

Keeping girls in school is the only way to significantly lower the levels of unplanned teenage pregnancy.

The rate of teen pregnancies amongst school children in SA is unacceptably high. Dropping out of school is by far the biggest contributor to teenage pregnancy. It not only increases the risk of pregnancy in girls, but also significantly increases the risk of HIV infection.

More education translates into more choices for further education, greater chance of employment and increased earning power – as well as the ability to make better choices about sexuality in the future!

The School of Hope is known as a second-chance programme. For our dedicated staff, giving young girls the opportunity to complete their schooling is a priority and our God-inspired calling.

Not only are we committed to giving the girls in our communities a second chance at completing their education, but we have taken a stand about pregnant girls at school: that we will value and celebrate the life of every child and every mother who carries that child. We will make it as easy as possible for that girl to complete her education successfully.

The reason we have chosen this approach, is because we believe that a young mother with an education is better for a child than a young mother without an education. The more educated the mother is, the more choices she can make and the more the chance that her child, in turn, will be able to make good choices and reach higher levels of education.

We are committed to breaking the cycle of poverty and despair and to bring hope through education, the only sustainable solution for generational and entrenched poverty amongst the women of this country.

Meet some of our brave mothers, who have chosen to stay in school and make something of their lives:

Fatima Santon (16) is currently in Grade 11. She has one daughter, Ayisha (17 months). Fatima dreams of becoming a paediatrician.

Bianca Moyakhe (19) is in Grade 12. She has one son, Buhle (20 months). She wants to work in Tourism or Marketing. She travelled to New York in February on the Active Compassion Transforms mentorship programme.

Fagmeedah Isaacs (20) is in Grade 10. She has two sons, aged 3 years and 1 year.
After completing school, she wants to qualify as a nurse or a social worker.









Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. If you can do one thing to make poverty history, it should be to put a girl through school in your lifetime.

July News

After the relative austerity of the June exams, the School of Hope has been at the epicentre of a whirlwind of activity.

The drama team, who has been practising daily, on weekends and after school, was invited to perform their play …. at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. The play, written by our own isiXhosa and Arts&Culture teacher, Sibongiseni Myana, is a moving tale of a young girl’s spiritual journey. It is also a challenge to Africa to return to the spirit of ubuntu. As I write this, the group of five learners and three educators have settled into accommodation in Grahamstown and have spent the day marketing their play in the town centre, in preparation for their week of performances.

Most touching is the effect this venture has had on the learners involved. Lindsay Henley, director of BethU’riel, home to one of the young men, Xolani, said she has never seen him so enthusiastic and committed to school since his involvement in the play. Shy and reserved Grace and soft-spoken Thandeka both shine in their respective roles as desperate mother and God-seeking daughter.

The real heroes of the story are the hard working educators, generous donors and selfless hosts who have made the tour to Grahamstown possible. Special mention must be made of the Pick and Pay at Waterstone Village in Somerset West who supported the team and the His People church in Grahamstown who found us accommodation and whose gracious hospitality has been a great blessing to us.

While quaint Grahamstown is a sought-after location during July, New York must be one of the most desirable destinations in the world all year round. Unbelievably, five Grade 12 students will be flying to the Big Apple on the 11th July as part of their mentorship programme with Active Compassion Transforms, for an unforgettable thirteen days of inspiration. We will tell you all about that next month!