Project Profile: Golang Education Outreach, Zandspruit Informal Settlement
Date when joined ttt4c: July 2007
The Zandspruit informal settlement is an area that houses low-income families from different parts of South Africa and other African countries.Many families live in small shacks, although there are some stronger houses. The area is cramped with shacks and houses built very close together, and although there is electricity in some parts of Zandspruit, many people have no electricity in their shacks or houses. There is a primary school and a government clinic in Zandspruit, but no high school – children have to travel far for secondary education.
Many families are underprivileged and can only find work as domestic workers or gardeners, and some run small businesses (e.g “spaza” shops). Many children are unsupervised in the afternoons, although some benefit from the Golang Aftercare programme, which feeds 200 vulnerable children daily and supervises their homework.
The Local Councillor recently praised the community of Zandspruit for the way they reacted after zenophobic attacks broke out in the area. The community quickly restored order and accepted the presence of people from other countries and ethnic groups. A major clean-up campaign was also conducted recently, involving children and community members.
Several Churches, organisations and individuals (Ruimsig Gemeente, St Michael & All Angels, Rhema, Hope International) became involved in Zandspruit from about 2003 and an NPO was registered, called Emthonjeni. This NPO runs a community centre in an old farm house, where computer training, an ante-natal clinic, social services, and HIV & AIDS counselling are offered. St Michael & All Angels became involved in establishing an aftercare /drop-in facility for vulnerable children identified by community members.
Most recently (April 08), Golang has started a Pre-school which currently accommodates 20 children, aged between 2 and 6 years. Teachers are being trained by Play with a Purpose, which is a structured, accredited early childhood development training organisation based in Muldersdrift. The project offers early childhood development training, which equips the children for school. Other older children also receive a meal at pre-school every day. For some this is the only food they will get.
St Michael & All Angels Church has been instrumental in the development of the Pre-school. The Church previously paid for a container to be converted into the kitchen for the Aftercare programme – this same kitchen will also feed the pre-school children. Another 2 containers have also been converted – 1 as a library and the other as the pre-school classroom. The funding received through ttt4c is spent on the pre-school.
The Pre-school only started in April this year with 20 children, but a second container is being converted which will accommodate another 20 children. We also need equipment for the second classroom: pre-school tables & chairs, toy boxes, educational books & stationery. Other things needed are recycled plastic containers – e.g. 2 litre milk bottles, margarine tubs, polystyrene trays, bottle tops. Other training needed by our staff would be in dealing with bereavement issues.
The training and support of Play with a Purpose has helped the staff of Golang Educational Outreach tremendously! They also receive support in the following manner:
- Funders – sponsorship of food, furniture, toys, play equipment and books
- Churches – financial, coordination and personnel support from both St Michael & All Angels and Ruimsig Gemeente churches
- Play with a Purpose – training of teachers and assistance in setting up the pre-school
- Golang Pre-school wants to grow and provide more classroom space to accommodate many young children.