UK volunteers visit KaNyamazane
Friendly games were recently played between five local high schools as part of extra-curricular activities organised by the UK volunteers who assist learners in schools.
“The games were aimed at improving integration of learners at the
schools we are working in, and to know them better in a more relaxed and social
environment out of the classroom,” said Thomas Sinclair, the coordinator.
His group had been in the area for some time.
Soccer and netball matches were played between Lekazi Central, Khaliphani, Thembeka, Masihambisane and Sitintile high schools and the winning teams were awarded trophies.
The eight volunteers based in KaNyamazane are graduates and students of various fields from different universities in England and Scotland and are all members of a
non-profit organisation, Tenteleni.
They had been working as assistant teachers in English, life orientation and mathematics as well as extra-curricular activities where they helped pupils with their homework and various ways of boosting their self-esteem and confidence through the formation of mentoring clubs, homework clubs, debating clubs and others.
“They were great and the only challenge was that classes consist of more than 60 learners, while we are used to 30 back home. Everything was fine,” said Micaela
Linnane.
She added they had enjoyed their stay at the Kasi because people were more friendly, approachable and kind compared to their own countrymen back home whom they said were more reserved.
“We will always cherish the hospitality and sociability of the locals,” she said.
They added that they enjoyed their daily meals which included pap and braaivleis, among other dishes.
Sinclair expressed his dream of opening his first Shisanyama, (braai meat) business in London.
The group also helped in raising awareness against drugs and alcohol abuse among the youth with other organisations including Sanca, Lovelife and GRIP in areas around Msogwaba.
This newspaper also learnt that the organisation was founded by the former principal of Tenteleni Primary School, Gladys Maseko, with UK volunteers in 1999.
Groups with other members from the same organisation were assigned to execute similar activities in other parts of the province including Barberton, Matsulu, Nkomazi and other countries such as Swaziland, Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi.
