Three years back, Project Life an educational facility that caters for the therapeutic and rehabilitation needs of children who suffer from learning disorders or physical disabilities, opened its doors to the public.
It has not been as simple as the ABC’s but three years later the school has achieved a lot with its students, their parents, staff as well as the community.
On January 18 was the official anniversary, learners and the school staff were treated to birthday cake and other yummy treats. Project Life Founder Desiree Moonsamy proudly announced that former learner, Guivash Pillay, together with four other learners, have returned to mainstream schools.
Guivash Pillay with the help of Project Life was their highest achiever two years in a row. The school has had ten new enrolments this year and believe by the end of this week that figure will rise. Project Life is in the process of registering to be a part of the Further Education and Training programmes.
The school is excited to have main stream learners attend Project Life, for the learner’s parents this was to challenge the school. One of these parents who put Project Life to the challenge is DR Radebe who enrolled his son and nephew at the school this year.
“I welcome this challenge from parents, I see it as parents placing their trust in me and I am honoured by that,” said Mrs Moonsamy.
Project Life will now be accepting applications by educators with a Degree in Special Basic Education, to ensure educators understand the need of each learner and work according to their pace. The school, which started out with just two learners now has a grade R/RR class, grade four-seven class; special needs class, autistic class as well as a skills and training group.
This year the school aims to get land to build an official school building. Create – an advocacy for special needs children based in Pietermaritzburg – is on board to assist with international funding for the skills and training programme and help with job creation.
Merle Perumal is currently arranging for a mobile museum to come to Estcourt for Project Life learners. Grounded Nation and Base Syndicate are in the process of planning a drift and car sound competition for the school. Audio Visuals will soon launch ‘Read Along’ at the school and learners are looking forward to that.
A Parent Involvement Group has been launched; this will see learner’s parents get involved in things such as planning outings. A donation of five wheelchairs was received from Team Outreach South Africa and the donation was warmly welcomed late last year by the school. For therapy aspects, the learners now have swimming hour at school.
“From humble beginnings of doubt and fear, I can gladly say our teething and crawling stages are behind us. We have ventured out and met with people and organisations who can help take our school to new heights,” commented Mrs Moonsamy.
The school would like to thank every single staff member, organisation; individual and company that has helped them grow.
