Katharina Riebesel
PUPILS of Christel House South Africa (CHSA) in Ottery say the support and education they received at the school help them negotiate the socio-economic problems in the poor communities they come from.
Pupils, teachers and staff showcased the school’s holistic approach to addressing poverty on Tuesday during an end-of-term event with donors from all over the world.
Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille was appointed ambassador of the school, with its holistic approach to breaking the circle of poverty by providing the schoolchildren free education, health care and nutrition.
“You are not just a child in a school, you are part of the success stories we are making. Every time I look at the success of this school, I wish we could replicate this in all our schools because this is such a good example,” said De Lille.
The CHSA was built in 2002 and offered education up to Grade 12.
Pupil Grace Keza, 17, said: “The support structure helps me. We come from backgrounds of abuse and drug problems. Here is a place where we can talk to social workers and teachers.”
During her speech, former CHSA pupil Amanda Nodada said: “Coming from a disadvantaged area like Langa is not easy. We are faced with so many challenges like drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, a number of drop-outs and, of course, unemployment. There are a few role models, but not enough.
“We live in a matchbox house where there is no privacy to study at all and little support from anyone as they do not understand how education can uplift us from the awful circumstances we face.”
She said that her life changed when she was enrolled at the school in 2002.
The positivity also impacted on teachers at the CHSA.
Physical sciences teacher Faheema Harris said: “I am very excited and I believe that this year we will get the best results ever. I have taken up a challenge.
“When we get a 100 percent pass rate and 100 percent graduate passes, my hair is going.”