Letitia Van Zyl-Schultz
Months of learning, creativity and hands-on training culminated in a proud milestone for a group of Langebaan Primary School learners when they hosted their first Market Day on Saturday, 16 May.
The market day formed part of the school’s Home Economics extra-mural programme, a community-driven initiative launched late last year through a collaboration between the Langebaan Community Police Forum (CPF), VLV Langebaan, local businesses and volunteers.
Visitors to the market were treated to a variety of homemade products, including baked goods, sweet treats and hand-crafted items, all prepared and presented by the learners themselves.
According to Sonia Seabrook Uys, chairperson Langebaan Vrouelandbouvereninging, the project is about far more than cooking and crafts. Over the past six months, learners were guided through the full process of creating a product, from learning practical skills and preparing ingredients or materials, to presentation, pricing, selling and understanding the basics of entrepreneurship.
Peter Lindenberg, chair of the Langebaan CPF, said the success of the market reflected the vision behind the initiative.
“It is amazing to see the kids who learnt various skills over the past six months and the success of today is why the Langebaan Community Police Forum and VLV Langebaan took hands,” he said.
“Initiatives like this will equip our kids to build a future for themselves and to become entrepreneurs in their hometown.”
Weslander reported in November (School adds class) about the Home Economics programme that was established to give young learners practical life skills while creating opportunities for youngsters to remain invested in the future of Langebaan.
The project draws on the knowledge and experience of community members, particularly the women of VLV Langebaan, who volunteer their time to teach skills ranging from cooking and baking to crafts and entrepreneurial thinking.
Seabrook Uys expressed her gratitude to everyone involved in making the project and market day possible.
She thanked the CPF, Langebaan Nautica Spar, the VLV members who dedicate their time to teaching the children, and especially the learners themselves.
“A special thank you goes to every child who saw the opportunity and made the best of it,” Seabrook Uys said.
The market day not only provided learners with an opportunity to showcase what they had learned, but also gave them first-hand exposure to customer interaction, sales and the confidence that comes from turning skills into products.
According to Lindenberg and Seabrook Uys, Saturday’s event was an example of what can happen when community partnerships invest in young people’s potential.
