The Tsitsikamma Wind Farm Trust (TWFT), in partnership with AmaMfengu Women Agricultural Co-op (AWACO), recently donated 1 045 school shoes to Clarkson Primary School and Qhayiyalethu High School in Tsitsikamma.
According to Lulama Banzana, director of AWACO, communities and areas surrounding the Wind Farm are engulfed by various social issues, ranging from unemployment, low literacy levels, drug and alcohol abuse, a high rate of school drop-outs, teenage pregnancy, and many other challenges.
As such, the idea of this project was motivated by the visible need to encourage learners to continue going to school, irrespective of their daily challenges.
Sindiswa Speelman, community development manager of Tsitsikamma Community Wind Farm, said that more than 80 percent of learners exiting Clarkson Primary progress to Qhayiyalethu High and, as such, these are two schools catering for most, if not all, learners emanating from the AmaMfengu areas, Clarkson, Kareedouw and surrounding communities.
“This makes the two schools critical to our efforts towards improving the quality of education within our local communities,” said Speelman.
She said that the wind farm is embarking on several other projects and programmes within the two schools, including but not limited to, the Literacy and Youth Jobs Programme, Hostel Accommodation for Qhayiyalethu Matriculants, ICT and Teacher Support Programme, and recently, the Shoe Donation Drive.
Banzana said that AWACO had partnered with TWFT to deliver a total of 1 045 school shoes across both schools, Clarkson Primary and Qhayiyalethu High.
She said that both schools are affected by the government’s alleged inability to provide sufficient transportation for learners to and from school, and even though some of the learners in the area have access to scholar transport, they still must walk long distances after being dropped off at the various central pick-up points.
Banzana said that the objectives of the project were to motivate learners to look beyond their present circumstances at home, and through the school donation project they want to instil hope and confidence within the learners.
“Education is one of our key development pillars, and we understand the local context in relation to long walks to school,” said Speelman.
“As such, it was a great pleasure to be part of such an initiative which seeks to bring back the smiles and hope to the previously-disadvantaged learners from the Tsitsikamma community.”
She said that they are also hoping to use the project as an opportunity to strengthen partnerships with local NGOs and businesses who share the same vision in community development.
