Monday 3 March 2008

Window of Opportunity

My company has a CSI programme, as do many companies these days, I suppose. Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, some guys from my work were going through to deliver school bags to a primary school in Stellenbosch, and they asked me to come along to take some pictures (goodness knows why!). So off I went...

Lynedoch Primêr is a small school which forms an important part of the Lynedoch EcoVillage, near Stellenbosch. Described as South Africa’s first ecologically-designed socially mixed community, the EcoVillage promotes energy-efficient and ecologically sound use of resources (evident in the building of Adobe housing) while achieving social justice with regards to equitable access across diverse affordability levels. The primary school has about 600 pupils, ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 8. Lessons are taught in Afrikaans.

The school caters mostly to kids whose parents are seasonal workers from the surrounding farms, and economic problems are certainly a concern. Yet it was heart-warming to see the passion and optimism that the kids displayed. This is likely due in large to the educators and headmaster of Lynedoch Primêr, who constantly support and encourage their learners to explore their full potential.

Here are a couple of my favourite snaps from our little excursion... I'm quite chuffed with these pics - they paint a really positive picture.


2 comments:

Ant said...

thanks for the comment! great pics. does this school have a website? i actually work in social development and this seems really interesting.

MissNj said...

Thanks Ant! Afraid I don't have a website addy for the school but you can read up more on the EcoVillage here: http://www.sustainabilityinstitute.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=20

It really is quite a special little school. :)

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