Vhutshilo Mountain School 3rd Term Update

8/16/2021 |

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All staff received their Covid vaccine on the 9th of July and Vhutshilo Mountain School’s 3rd term began on the 26 of July. To date, staff and children are all healthy and well, as we continue to follow all Covid-19 protocols.

We have 63 students: 38 sponsored thank you! and 25 fee students. Our multi-grade class has 20 students, pre-school class has 25 students, and toddlers has 18 students. We are busy educating them. We are now receiving assistance from the local department of education with curriculum development and teaching materials. The department liaison, Mr. Savhase, is very knowledgeable and helpful.

Computer lessons are going well. We have applied for improved internet connection, which should be available soon, providing greater access to students. We are very happy about this development and the many ways it will improve student learning.

VMS Outreach program

The vegetable garden is producing plenty of vegetables for both school and family food parcels. We handed out over 800 seedlings to caregivers between April and June. We will continue to offer vegetables and seedlings to our students and members of the community in need of food support.

Youth on A Mission continues to educate local school children through school visits and through a local weekly radio talk show. Flyers were designed and printed that provide information on sexual assault, HIV/AIDS, and teen pregnancy. It had been a challenge to distribute them due to the pandemic. Beginning next week we will again be visiting schools.

A local NGO, The Zwonka Network (Zwonka means beautiful), received funding to educate and train young women and girls in nail technology and education and training on gender-based violence, HIV/AIDS, and positive living skills. Trainees will be prepared to educate their peers in these same areas. Ten girls from VMS’s HIV+ support group were selected and are currently attending the training. They are gaining new skills that better prepare them for life and earning a living. The training began on the 2nd of August for the first ten young women. Another ten girls have been identified and a new training session will start on August 21st.

Ridgeway College, located in Louis Trichardt, recently donated multiple items of clothing, food and 45 blankets to our vulnerable students and support group children. These items were much needed and appreciated by all.

We are grateful your ongoing support! We couldn’t do it without you.

Thank You,

Khathu Nemafhohoni, Director

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