On Thursday, May 30th, 2024, SOS Africa Charity Founder Matt Crowcombe had the honor of cutting the ribbon at the official launch of a pre-primary school campus at HS Grabouw in the Western Cape. This brand-new facility will provide both Grade R English and Afrikaans language teaching at the school for the very first time.
The event was highly anticipated and was attended by the school’s teaching staff, governing body, education officials from the Overberg District Office, and parents of the children already benefitting from this exciting initiative. Guests were given a tour of the campus, introduced to the teachers, and treated to special performances by the children in their new classrooms.
HS Grabouw was the first school in the Western Cape that SOS Africa partnered with in 2014. Thanks to the successes of this collaboration, the charity has grown to partner with 12 schools and sponsor 107 children across the region. This number is expected to significantly increase over the next few years. SOS Africa Education Centres also provide reading and writing programs for hundreds of children with learning difficulties each morning.
As part of this ambitious project, SOS Africa purchased two new classrooms and fencing thanks to funds raised by last year’s King Alfred’s Tower Charity Abseil. Grade R teaching is now mandatory across South Africa and helps lay the foundation for a child’s education, building their confidence, and enabling them to socialize with children from different age groups.
SOS Africa founder Dr. Matt Crowcombe is particularly delighted by the school’s decision to facilitate English language teaching at a pre-primary level:
“The introduction of English language teaching to pupils from the age of 6 enables HS Grabouw’s standard of education to be more accessible to children from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds. Making quality education available to all is one of the central objectives of our charity’s education projects in the region.”
In January, SOS Africa sponsored six Xhosa-speaking Grade R students from disadvantaged backgrounds and enrolled them in HS Grabouw’s new Grade R Program. SOS Africa Education Centre Assistant, Sinazo Nogqala, is delighted by the progress already made by these children:
“Since joining our Grade R program, the children have blossomed! When we first met them last year, the majority were unable to understand English, let alone read or pronounce English words. Barely six months later, our fastest learners now take English language books home to read over the weekend.”
HS Grabouw Principal Ralston Parnell is extremely grateful for the opportunities presented by the school’s 10-year collaboration with SOS Africa:
“We at HS Grabouw are filled with gratitude for not only the sponsorship from SOS Africa, but also the partnership for the past 10 years. The commitment from SOS Africa to provide better opportunities for previously disadvantaged children and to improve the quality of teaching is truly admirable. It is a privilege to acknowledge SOS Africa as a friend of our school and community.”
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.