From a tent to a beautiful strong structure, His Harvest Pre-School’s doors were officially opened. The nursery school built from the heritage of love is situated at Empumelelweni Extension.
On September 24 the staff, learners and the people that made the project possible were present to witness this memorable ceremony.
It was opened in memory of Gerye Ludeke who would have celebrated his 11th birthday on the same day but two years ago he lost the battle against cancer.
Joining in the event was his mother Yvonne. The school’s building is now made of brick and mortar. Ludeke came with Gerye’s piggy bank as her son’s donation to starting the school. Using the Accelerate Christian Education (ACE) it boasts two classes with six staff members under the administrator Miss Koeks Swanepoel.
The school is not an over night success, it has been 11 years since it has been part of the community. This follows after Swanepoel asked Pastor Ledge Saunders of Metamorpha Church for help, which he was more than willing to provide.
“Arriving in this informal settlement we saw a bigger picture, we wanted the community to have a school that will be beneficial. It started by a tent then we moved to a shack and now we are being blessed with a building,”
said an excited Swanepoel.
She explains that at that stage the school had 30 children with four staff members.
“We are not after money. People working here are just missionaries working for Jesus Christ. All we want is to give children warmth, food and education for the six and a half hours that they spend here daily,”
said Swanepoel.
She thanked every person, organisation and business that made it possible for the event to be a success.
“It is a wonderful gesture; we are truly blessed by receiving all these gifts,”
said Swanepoel.
Pastor Saunders said the presence of God in the building is felt.
“God said He lives in the darkness, His invisible presence is forever with you. But looking at this building, seeing the presence of God shine as it changes the next generation,” said Pastor Saunders. He said his prayer is that this beacon of hope reaches more generations to come. “Thank you to everyone for their sacrifices to God’s glory and anointing the doorposts of the classrooms. This building is a monument of God,”
said a grateful Pastor Saunders.
Partners in the construction in 2015, was the Land Service Students of Curro Bankvenveld Private School, who made a veggie garden on the school grounds.
The students furthered their contribution this year by supplying paint and painting the iron huts used for the kitchen and storeroom.
Soon two new toilets will be added to the school’s complex and outside of the two classroom doors, the area will be roofed, so the children can have outside shade.
The day ended with ribbons of the doors being cut by Swanepeol and Ludeke declaring the centre being officially opened. Eleven balloons were also released, representing Gerye’s age if he were still with us.
