Teacher and Secunda Mall help deaf learner
the mall will sponsor Ntando’s school fees, boarding and feed other expenses until he matriculates.
Ntando Kholiswa (12), a learner of Marietjie School for Learners with Special Educational Needs, is excited to go to a new school in Pretoria next year.
When Ntando was two years old, his mother, Ms Themokuhle Kholiswa, realised her son was not responding when she called him or spoke to him.
He had meningitis when he was one year old and as a result, lost his hearing.
Ntando’s teacher at Marietjie School, Ms Rita Meintjes, realised he is very good with mathematics and she wants him to have the chance to reach his maximum potential.
She made arrangements to visit the Transoranje School for the Deaf in Pretoria and to find out if Ntando would be a possible candidate to attend this school.
He has been a learner at Marietjie School since he was nine years old and Ms Meintjes has been his teacher for the past four years.
Learners who want to go to Transoranje School should have learnt sign language since they were small.
Transoranje’s school management said Ntando is a suitable candidate even though he only learnt sign language at a later stage of his life.
Ms Meintjes said the ideal for deaf children is to learn sign language when they are still babies and parents of deaf babies in the region are welcome to contact her if they need help in this regard.
Ms Meintjes wanted to help Ntando to go to Transoranje School and she approached the management of Secunda Mall to see if they could help with sponsors.
Ms Michelle Nell, general manager of Secunda Mall agreed to help and the mall will sponsor Ntando’s school fees, boarding and other expenses until he matriculates.
Ms Kholiswa thinks it is a wonderful opportunity for Ntando and she is thankful that he is able to go Transoranje School in Pretoria.
Ntando said he is very happy and excited to go and wants to play soccer at his new school.
He enjoys reading books and wants to become a businessman when he grows up.
Ms Nell asked the community and other businesses to partner with them in this initiative and to help Ntando to get sponsors for transport monthly, toiletries and school necessities.
If you want to support this initiative and help Ntando to continue to fulfil his dream to finish school at Transoranje School, contact Ms Nell on 010 001 0254.
