Our current project

Helping children to learn to read and write is a key aim of Meetse A Bophelo Primary School. The teachers do their best against impossible odds. The school has very few books which nowhere near meet the needs of its 2,500 pupils most of whom live in the squatter camps and possess no books of their own. The overcrowded classrooms have nowhere to keep books so the school had been using a converted shack as a library base for the few books they have. The idea was that children would come to the shack to read a book. However, it was far too small to accommodate a full class of children, it let in the rain and became unbearably hot in the summer sun. Although the Trust had provided some new books, many of the existing books in the shack were very tatty.

From this: ...to this:

A new library for Meetse!

We raised the money to build a weather proof and secure library to replace the shack and the new library building was opened in October 2007. It is big enough to accommodate a full class and will be filled with lots of interesting and stimulating books for the children to enjoy. We have been able to fit it out with shelving, tables and chairs, and two carpeted areas. There is a desk for the librarian and, thanks to 2Simple Software Ltd, there are three computers available for children to use. The books in the new library are recorded on a computerised library cataloguing system which will help the school monitor the use of the books.

We are now into the final phase of providing sufficient books for the 2,500 children. The Mamelodi Trust is providing funds to enable the school to buy books locally through a major educational book supplier, Exclusive Books Ltd. This company is working with the Trust to provide training and information for the staff of the school and generously adds a further 12% to the funds we make available. A shipment of school books in good condition has been sent by the Trust from the UK. The Rotary Club in Pretoria has obtained books from the United States and placed these in the library. The Rotary Club of Sandy have raised funds in the UK for more books and this is being supplemented by the Rotary Club in Pretoria and by International Rotary. But more books are needed.

Staff training at the school has been an important feature of the Trust’s support. We have enabled the school librarian and several teachers to attend training courses in managing a library, selecting appropriate books and using the library management software. Volunteers from the Trust have worked in the school helping the librarian and staff to catalogue books and helping teachers to make effective use of the new resource.

Can you help?

The Headteacher, Patrick Sikhumbana, his staff and governors are passionate about helping children to read and write effectively. If children are to progress in their education they must have good literacy skills. The library project will help them to realise their dreams for these children.

Please can you help? A small donation would buy a book to place in the library. If you tell us your name it will be inscribed in a book in the Meetse A Bophelo library.