Laying the foundations for success
When it comes to the education of our children, parents will do anything to ensure their children lay the best foundation on which to build their futures.
An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.
When Christopher Moyo worked as a plant operator for a company close to Video informal settlement in 2017 he realised that the community living there did not have a school nearby. He also found that most of the children weren’t getting an education or had to travel long distances to attend school.
“I saw a need in the community for an education for their children,” explained Moyo. “So I spoke to the landlord of the plot where the school is currently. At that stage the building was used as a tavern, and it was without any windows and ablutions were insufficient – but it was a start,” continued Moyo. The landlord agreed that the land be used as a school ground, and things started to fall into place.
“We arranged with the parents to come and help with the construction work. We installed windows and recently we built four ablution areas outside the building to create a more sanitary environment for the children and staff.” Moyo also hired a TLB to remove all the bushes and trees that made the plot unsafe for the children.
Success Katlego Academy opened its doors in January 2018. “We started with 26 children and today around 260 children attend our school,” he explained proudly. “I have a very dedicated team of staff members including my children who one day will take over from me.”
The school offers education to children from Grade R to Grade 9. “We would like to expand our grades. We are trying to accommodate our learners in the space we have available,” said Moyo. The school has a vegetable garden that the learners help maintain, and this helps to teach them about responsibility and where food comes from. They also feed some community members with the crops from their garden. “My goal with all of this is to help uplift Video,” he explained.
“We are appealing to the community to help us create a change in these children’s lives by donating non-perishable foods and drinks to the school. We have a kitchen area with a gas stove that we use to cook the learners food,” Moyo said. He also mentioned that he would love to give the children sports grounds where they can play soccer and netball.
To support the school through donations please contact Megan Botha from Beanies for Beings on 079 089 3739 to arrange a pick-up/drop-off of supplies for the school.
