“Adopt a will to study and this will create a way to open doors of opportunities.”
This is the challenge Hope and Light Community Welfare School extends to its first class of matriculants set to write this September’s preparatory examinations.
The school regards the milestone of having its first matric class as a significant achievement of one of the goals set out for the academic year.
Hope and Light Community Welfare is an organisation dedicated to improving young lives and has been supporting children in need since 2014.
It boasts an Early Childhood Development Centre, which ensures children receive a vital developmental foundation in a safe, holistic environment, a Children’s Village that provides shelter for up to 50 children who have been removed from their parents at a renovated facility with two fully-equipped, loving homes, and an independent combined school offering quality education in Alpine Crescent, Fernwood, outside Sir Lowry’s Pass. “We’ve got a vision at the school of providing holistic education to the children and giving them the opportunities they need to succeed in life after school,” said a spokesperson. “We want the community to know that there is hope amid all the challenges we face and this is our testimony that we can overcome our adversities to become better together.” The historic occasion succeeds the recent restructuring of the board of directors due to various management irregularities and new additions picking up the baton to restore the integrity and corporate governance of the organisation to stay committed to serving the community.
The directors include school principal George Williams for the education portfolio, board secretary Anthea Jacobs taking charge of the administration and corporate governance portfolio, financial treasurer Judith Hill on the finance and compliance portfolio. The dedicated three bring a wealth of skills and experience to enable the organisation to function efficiently in terms of its mandate and remain compliant.
“As directors it will be our priority to strengthen our ties with the community and to form a strong partnership of participation and support,” said the spokesperson.
A big part of the matriculants’ success is due to Williams, who has passionately served as school principal since his appointment last March and now as director since February earlier this year. He is regarded as an asset, for he understands the educational needs of learners, brings vast knowledge and expertise to Hope and Light and has a strong relationship with the Western Cape Education Department and Stellenbosch University as a highly esteemed educator.
Making a difference in the lives of underprivileged children from disadvantaged communities is what motivates Williams to tackle each and every day with renewed vigour.
He shared being able to relate to the community he now serves, and doing so with immense passion is what spurred his journey to and with Hope and Light.
“This will be my last job in education. I want to invest in the community, work with wonderful parents, children and teachers. The commitments from the sponsors make it easy for the leadership of the school to concentrate on the delivery of the curriculum instead of worrying about the finances. We need to justify the confidence the supporters put in us.”
Williams expressed being tremendously proud of the school’s first set of matrics, 21 in number, who embarked on their examinations in 11 subjects on Monday 5 September.
It is the result of a lot of extra effort from teachers, supportive parents, learners who turned up at every lesson and school sponsorships making education and extra classes possible.
“The hope we have for our learners is that they continue their studies after matric so they are equipped to apply their knowledge and skills on the open market so they can become self-reliant, and hopefully their skills will fill the skills-gap shortage in South Africa,” said the spokesperson.
To the matrics: “This is your chance! We’ve given you the support, the teachers and parents have done their bit. You have to write the exams. And you will be successful.”
