School principal Natalie Jamieson compiles a curriculum for each individual child due to their varying learning capacities. “Some of our children at our centre are not mentally challenged, however, because they are in a wheelchair and could not be accommodated by other schools in their area, they came to us. [On the other end of the spectrum] we also have young people with us with serious developmental issues, so I have to individualise the curriculum for all 77 children,” she said.
Being a school that was founded with a R30 000 bank loan and is located on Jamieson’s parents’ property, they need all the help they can get. Which is why it was a welcome relief for the principal and members of her staff when the Gauteng Department of Agriculture partnered with Johannesburg Zoo and visited the centre on 23 July.
“We are here to start a vegetable garden for the school. We also brought them two water tanks, fruit trees, a basic starter kit which consists of net shades, a hosepipe, garden forks and so on,” said Pinkie Tsimane, from the department.
Tsimane also got her hands dirty and showed the pupils what seeds and seedlings to plant and how to prepare a plot. “The most important lesson for us, though, is to teach them conservation skills. South Africa is a water scarce country. Young people need to learn how to produce organic food without wasting water.”
Jamieson, however, saw an opportunity to teach entrepreneurial skills through the project, “I am excited for them because everything gained through this garden will be for them.” She said they are planning on selling the vegetables and fruit, and the children involved will get to take the money home. “Thirty-seven of our children are from disadvantaged backgrounds, it is nice to know that they’ll be able to sustain themselves through agriculture.”
The Johannesburg Zoo brought some of their furry friends along for an animal show. It was the best ending to the day for everyone. “We came to support the department in their initiative and to entertain the children,” said Imelda Matlala, education officer at the zoo.
Details: Flutterbysenrichment@gmail.com
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