community work

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As part of the Student's Programme, participants may get involved with less privileged communities. In a unique project, the HESC has partnered with the rural school of Paulos Ngobeni Primary School, located 25kms from the Centre.

ABOUT PAULOS NGOBENI SCHOOL

Paulos Ngobeni Primary School, named after the first person who stayed in this area, was established in 1983. With its 782 learners, 24 educators and 4 supporting staff, they need the support of others to achieve their mission: “To provide a sustainable life-long quality education for our learners by quality teaching & learning, quality governance strategies, providing our educators with development opportunities and developing our school premises fully through education”.

Dephney Hlekani Makubele was appointed the deputy principal at Paulos Ngobeni in 2002 and promoted to principal in 2004. Makubele and staff believe in their motto: “Education is the mother of success”.

The school is constantly challenged with the lack of classrooms, learners' furniture, computers, parent involvement, a school hall and proper sports field, making it difficult to offer extracurricular activities to learners - for example, soccer, netball, volleyball, basketball, traditional dances and choir practice.

The HESC Student Program adopted the Paulos Ngobeni Primary School in 2008, “as a means of uplifting the lives of our younger generations, especially with the knowledge that these are the individuals that will help preserve and rescue our wildlife for the future”.

During the holidays HESC has arranged for a local qualified computer educator to provide the necessary media training to teachers, this educator is also available for after hour assistance and student support throughout the year.

Grade 4 learners from the school visit the Centre to learn more about endangered wildlife, and the cheetah in particular. They work closely with the Students as they go about their daily duties. 105 pupils (10 visits of approximately 10 pupils each) visited the HESC in 2010. An estimated 94 pupils will visit the HESC in 2011.

Students are also able to assist the Primary School with much-needed equipment. Funds may also be raised by visitors to the Centre, or interested parties.

Click here to read an article written in 2009 about the Students' Programme.

More recently, HESC initiated a campaign called leave your Footprint for the Paulos Ngobeni Primary School. Interested parties are asked to bring an old pair of shoes to donate to children who have never had the luxury of walking in anything other than bare feet. Should you be interested in assisting, please contact us.

We have also summarised a wish list for the Paulos Ngobeni School should you have resources at your disposal to assist.

2012 Wish list for Paulos Ngobeni Primary School

• Library Centre
• Building material
• Shelves
• Computers
• Tables
• Chairs
• Books
• Toys and Magazines
• Sewing Machine and Materials
• Admin buildings
• Media Centre
• Laboratory
• Sports grounds
• Gardening utensils & Permaculture
• First aid kit items
• Furniture for educators
• School equipment
• Kitchen utensils
• Cleaning equipment
• Office Fan
• Sound System
• Video Camera