University partnership yields rewards
Brettonwood High pupils amaze students with their insight.
STUDENTS from the US have been working alongside those from UKZN to build global bridges at Kenneth Gardens.
This initiative is part of a project funded by the Virginia Commonwealth University International Partnerships Major Initiatives Award.
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has 15 partner universities worldwide and is committed to expand research and partnership initiatives. Prof Maghboeba Mosavel arrived at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) two years ago and met Monique Marks, who has been instrumental in starting up work with residents at Umbilo’s Kenneth Gardens, and the two discussed the initiative and what could be done. Six months later funding became available and a project of community engagement research and bridging experience for students came about.
“The idea was to form ongoing research collaborations with Kenneth Gardens, UKZN and other faculties at VCU. We would like to see bridges built between the students at the universities which will grow. The outcome of this would be beneficial to Kenneth Gardens as well,” she said.
Kira Erwin from UKZN said the actual project undertaken by the students from the universities brings in the young people of Kenneth Gardens who school at Brettonwood High School. The project is designed to have students from the universities pair up with Brettonwood High pupils to form a mentorship role.
“The children were given cameras and told to take photos at Kenneth Gardens of people and things which affect them or are significant to them and tell a story with these photos,” said Kira.
Michelle Laws from VCU said it was very exciting and the pupils were eager to show their photos and answer the research questions.
“I saw a lot of creativity. One Grade 10 pupil said it was important to see the beauty in everything, and that how you see your community is how others see it, and how the community becomes. It totally blew us away! This project has given us the ability to let these children demonstrate on another level their capabilities. Their responses really shook the perspectives of VCU students and made us question the assumptions we have about the South African learner and poverty. These types of communities are also right on our doorstep in the US,” said Michelle.
Monique Marks said the project was ongoing with new and exciting things to come.
“Kenneth Gardens is a vibrant place and the support from Brettonwood High School has been great. We thank the principal, Mr Mohsin Jhetam, and the English teacher who has helped co-ordinate the project from the school side, Saras Michael for their help. There has been a lot of interest from the Kenneth Garden community as well as the pupils and the project has created a lot of excitement!” she said.
