In a recent visit on August 18, 2023, our dedicated team, consisting of Rex, Helene, Fran, Lizelle, and Menno, took a significant step towards our global grant project with Vaatjie Moravian Primary School in Atlantis. During this visit, we aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the school’s challenges, updated needs, and potential solutions. Here’s what we discovered:
Challenges in the Community
One of the most pressing challenges faced by the community is the lack of parental involvement in their children’s education. This issue is compounded by high rates of illiteracy among parents and a prevalent lifestyle of alcohol and drug abuse, leading to indifference towards education.
Shockingly, around 80% of the 70-80 parents in the community are addicted to substances. As a result, teachers often find themselves taking on responsibilities that should belong to parents, such as arranging
medical visits for the children. This lack of discipline and frequent absenteeism from school significantly impacts the academic performance of the learners. Sadly, the majority of grade 5 students struggle with
basic reading and writing skills and eventually drop out of school after completing grade 7.
Learners and Coverage
Vaatjie Moravian Primary School serves a total of 154 scholars aged between 5 and 14 years. Approximately 70% of these children reside in Wolwerivier, with the remaining students coming from Bushpub, Varkplaas near Melkbos farmstall, Melkbos village, and Philadelphia.
This visit allowed us to gain valuable insights into the challenges faced by Vaatjie Moravian Primary School and its community. We’re more committed than ever to work collaboratively and make a meaningful impact on the lives of these young learners. To gain more comprehensive insights into this project, we invite you to join our Rotary Foundation Director, Lizelle De Wet, for a special presentation at our meeting on Thursday, September 7th.
Lizelle will provide further important details about our efforts with Vaatjie Moravian Primary School. Your participation and engagement are vital as we work together to address these challenges and create a lasting impact.
Stay tuned for further updates on our global grant project as we strive to address these critical issues and create a brighter future for the children of Atlantis. Together, we can make a difference.