Bridging School

About the school
Wed, 05/01/2011 - 09:06

In winter of 2010, the Adonis Musati Project started a small bridging school project for the many young asylum seeker children we came across who were not currently in school. Many parents cannot afford to pay for school fees, school uniforms, and transport to and from school, and, being unfamiliar with local public school regulation, many parents are unaware of enrollment deadlines and school fee exemption options. Our project felt it was important for these children to continue their education during these very formative years. The programme's main objective is to provide the children with the educational opportunities that they have missed out on over the past few years, and get them reacquainted with formal education so that they can integrate easily into the South African public school system. The class focuses specifically on teaching English skills, helping to break language barriers for those children who come from a non-English speaking background. We also plan as many creative, fun activities for the children as we can, as we believe these children are entitled to a joyful childhood!

In collaboration with the classes, Adonis Musati Project volunteers and our office social worker also provide assistance to parents, helping them make initial contact with schools in their area, aiding in the enrollment process, helping them apply for school fee exemption, and assisting with initial school expenses where possible (i.e. uniforms, stationary, etc.). All of this ensures that their children are entered into the public school system. Our goal is to help as many of these displaced children receive an education as we possibly can.

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Moving Forward
Fri, 08/07/2011 - 10:30

April ended with an exciting outing to 'Planet Kidz', a great indoor play room in Muizenberg, for our bridging school.  Upon arriving, our young learners didn't know where to run first: how can you choose between bouncy castles, zip slides, ball games and wheels? This excursion was kindly organised by Agnes Gantner, a temporary volunteer at AMP who wanted to bless the children before returning back to her home in Lichtenstein. For many of these children, play is a luxury, and the delight in their faces was something we will not forget in a long time. Thanks again to Agnes for taking initiative and organising this wonderful event for the kids!

Since the beginning of 2011 AMP has been hosting approximately ten children, twice a week in the bridging school. The school serves as a preparatory learning environment aimed at placing refugee children in local public schools. The classes have, up until very recently, been held in the AMP office building since this was the only space available. The AMP offices were not a suitable teaching environment for the children and as such, we undertook the task of sourcing new premises. While the teachers and volunteers were still able to inspire and motivate the children, they had to make do with cramped and dark facilities. In addition, the design of the building was such that members of staff were regularly required to walk in and out of the teaching environment as they went about their daily duties, serving as a significant distraction to the young minds of the children.

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News about our Bridging School...
Mon, 14/03/2011 - 17:22

In January 2011, AMP assisted 11 children from our bridging school and at least 9 others to enroll in public schools.  Thanks to wonderful donors such as JDI, Stefan Le Jeuene from Rotary le Cap and Anton Hugo, these grateful youngsters were kitted out with uniforms, bags, stationary and school fee deposits were paid so they could have the wonderful privilege of education so many of us take for granted.  We continue to support poverty-stricken families to get their children into schools and where possible assist with resources and transport. 

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Chalk for Peace
Sun, 28/11/2010 - 12:30

On 5 November 2010, the Adonis Musati Project took seven of its oldest and brightest bridging school children to a Chalk4Peace event held on the steps of St. George's Cathedral in Cape Town and hosted by CATH. After being greeted by Archbishop Makgoba the children got down to work creating their colourful masterpieces.

Much fun was had by all as the children enjoyed drawing on the steps and singing songs while waiting for their celebratory boerewors roll and cake to be ready. Most of our children who took part have come to South Africa from war torn East Congo and so thinking and talking about Peace was very significant for them.

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Bridging the Gap
Mon, 25/10/2010 - 13:11

During times of war and political upheaval it is often children that suffer the most. For those that have managed to make it as far as Cape Town they face a mountain of challenges. Many that have come from war torn East Congo have lost not only homes, family members and identity but they have lost months sometimes years of  schooling. If they are able to get a place in a school (often very difficult in the middle of the year) they have to learn to speak English and try to fit in to a culture that is unwelcoming of people that are different to them. It is estimated that at present there are hundreds of refugee children in Cape Town not attending school for a number of reasons, poverty being one of them. There is often only money for rent and a little food –nothing for uniforms, stationery and school fees so these little girls and boys stay at home while those around them enjoy what every child has the right to  - a stimulating day of learning and playing and making friends. AMP has limited resources but has decided to make a difference in some of these little lives.

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