On the 16th February 2020, Fundisa CF, in partnership with Boaz Distribution launched the Mentorship Program at Muriel Mine School. The objectives of this program mirror the new world trend in education policy, emphasizing a holistic approach to narrowing the achievement gap. We had time to sit and talk with the students, their guardians and their teachers so that we could gain an appreciation of what affected the students beyond lack of access to tuition fees.
The conversations were eye opening; the challenges of poverty are far reaching. Lack of exposure means that for most of these kids, teaching is the only profession they have experienced and in turn the only one they dream to join. Their guardians and teachers also made us aware of the harsh realities that affect the learning experience for these kids, lack of access to healthcare, spending hours walking to and from a school that is kilometres away from their homes, inability to study at home because of chores as well as the fact that there is no electricity most of the time.
For Fundisa and for the students, this was a good day. After the merry making through food, dance and music, we were able, with the amazing support from Mr Motsi of Boaz Distributions, to donate stationery, clothes and sanitary wear to the school. We left the school with new fond memories, new friends and most importantly a better understanding of how to help the under privileged students at Muriel Mine School.
We are excited for the impact this program will bring, we have identified the key areas of interest for each student and we will continue working with their guardians to nurture their passion, mould their character, motivate their zeal for success and as the proverbial saying goes, present the world as an oyster to every one of our wonder eyed little friend at Muriel Mine School.
