Unfortunately, due to economic reasons, the sewing project is no longer feasible and had to be discontinued permanently. In 2023, the directors saw the need for an aftercare center at the Gustav Reichel Primary School. We are very proud to advise that from September 2023, the aftercare center has been operational. We provide educational programs to assist with early childhood development, to support school development for learners in poor communities in the Kou-Kamma local municipal area of the Eastern Cape.
Activities
The main activity is an after-school care facility at Gustav Reichel Primary School,
Eersterivier. Apart from supporting school development, we also believe that the aftercare facility keeps the children safe in the afternoons.
We use Eduplay (educational computer software). It is a South African product and is relevant to the current South African school curriculum. The software was developed to show children how to learn and have fun at the same time and provide the children with a foundation for future years. The software helps kids with their homework and improves their grades. The software caters for children from preschool to grade 12 in both Afrikaans and English. Children of all grades in the school attend the computer classes on a weekly basis.
We assist children with homework, also assisting senior learners with assignments.
We provide educational games to stimulate the children’s brains.
We have a library with a variety of books and all the children as well as adults from the community have access to the library.
The EPO also funds the transport of 13 children to the school as the contract with the Department with a taxi driver is not sufficient to transfer all children. The distance is between 7 and 15km to the school. If it was not for the EPO, these children would not be able to attend school.
Upliftment of Community and Job Creation
We train community members to be employed at the after school care facility. For example, we provided a first aid course and give guidance on child care.
There are 112 children in the school and 102 children attend the after-school care on a weekly basis. The after-care operates directly after school, starting with Grade RR & R. We have a roster in place to ensure all children in the school have access to the facility.