Considering the debates surrounding the education system after the release of this year’s matric results – especially with some prominent voices asserting that high pass rates could be attributed to low standards – it’s worth examining the approach of schools achieving results that don’t just look good on paper. At Christel House in 2011, all but one student passed unconditionally. But they weren’t just passes - 70.8% achieved a bachelor’s pass, and more than half the 2011 Grade 12s had results good enough to secure bursaries or learnerships. And this despite the overwhelming personal challenges facing many of them.

Hailing from Bokmakierie in Athlone, Chadne received a distinction in Afrikaans and walked away with the school’s top honour, a Christel Award. She has recently started a civil engineering learnership at Sutherland Civil Engineering through the Go For Gold achiever programme, with a bursary attached depending on performance during her learnership.

Against this year’s national average pass rate of 70.2% and the bachelor’s pass rate of 24.3%, Christel House’s results are an anomaly. And yet Chadne is just one of the school’s success stories. “Every year it’s magic that’s produced,” says Board Chairperson Elspeth Donovan. “I feel proud like a mother – there is nothing to stop them now.”

Christel House’s primary goal is to combat poverty through a holistic approach: a combination of education, lifestyle management and community outreach programmes. One hundred percent of the learners’ families fall below the poverty line, but unlike many other schools offering opportunities to the children of destitute families, children are not selected according to academic merit. As long as they are learning-abled, they may apply for acceptance, with the school offering every opportunity to bring out the best in them according to their individual abilities.

“At Christel House, we work with what we’ve got,” says Principal Ronald Fortune. “The biggest obstacle related to poverty is emotional trauma. So to fight trauma, we create dreams.”

These dreams are also sustained long-term. After matriculation, learners are taken in hand by the school’s staff to search for employment or further study opportunities. “Almost all of our matriculants are already placed,” says Fortune. In turn, alumni offer support to current learners. And the school offers community support to the families of learners, to ensure that difficulties at home do not impact negatively on their studies.

It is such a programme that made all the difference to Chadne’s family. Mother Noreen Isaacs explains: “I am very grateful for what Christel House has done for my family. When Chadne started, I was not working – I was at my lowest. But I attended some training programmes around HIV and substance abuse support, and after that I was inspired to take a course in home care. I began to care for elderly people at home.

“I will be honest – in my life and for many people in our community there have been times where there was not food. But for the first time I became that person who realises you can make a living on your own. I did not have to rely on an employer.”
Chadne herself has adopted a can-do attitude unusual in someone of her age. She is known as a mentor and support to her peers, saying: “People will try to drag you down. But you have to learn to avoid bad influences.
“Actually, I hate studying! But about two years ago I realised there is no way around it – you have to work for your results. So I made that adjustment and began working very hard.”

“Chadne is a terrific motivator of her peers,” says Fortune. “She was a mentor to most of the ones who struggled, both academically and emotionally.”

This year’s results at Christel House are not unusual. In 2009 and 2010, the school’s first two classes of matriculants achieved a 100% pass rate, with learners overcoming overwhelming personal odds to deliver outstanding results. 2010’s top achiever, Cimone Maasdorp, credited Christel House with keeping her off “the wrong path”, achieving two distinctions before embarking on a career in travel and tourism. The top achiever in 2009, Lericia Bailey of Manenberg, was formerly homeless, orphaned at a young age, and balanced her schoolwork with caring for her younger siblings. Her hard work earned her a distinction and a study bursary.

Perhaps the greatest legacy of Christel House will therefore lie not only with its own matriculants, but through the hope their results can offer to all educators, parents and learners in South Africa – the proof that nothing is impossible, and through hard work and support, anyone can achieve their dreams.

* Christel House is financed through donations. For more information, visit www.sa.christelhouse.org.

Mzansi Magic Market Day continues to focus on children, but expands to include school and parent communities as part of the M-Net Cares Initiative to bring magic to the lives of our people.

The day was enjoyed by all who attended. The competition and the entrepreneurship of the stalls was a good experience. CHSA was awarded tops at the prize giving of the talent show. Fi The Marimba players won 2nd prize of R1500 as the group performance. Our Junior school African Beauty dance group won 3rd prize of R1500 in the dance group category. Siphisihle won special mention award from the judges where she received a headphone set. Zeetah and Nolitha also received a special mention award from the judges and both received diaries and a gift voucher. CHSA High School Educator and organiser, Mr. Clint Fredericks also received a gift voucher from Canal Walk.

To make things even more exciting, CHSA received a further R3000, for the most entered learners. Well done to all our learners who participated in this magical day.

A big thank you to all staff and learners who assisted in making this event a huge success.

The donation, which forms part of a long-term partnership between G.U.D and Christel House, will see 30 learners who excel at maths and science receive R10 000 each towards their tuition and general requirements in their Grade 10, 11 and 12 year.
In addition to the R900 000 donation, the company is also making apprenticeships available to the students who do well and impress G.U.D over the next three years.

The donation was “extremely generous”, said Sharon Williams, the Director of Marketing and Development, speaking at the celebratory hand-over which took place recently at the school. “But what really makes it so valuable is the investment that the company is making in the learners of the school. We encourage corporates to come on board as partners, so we are more than grateful to G.U.D for recognising the value of our education model and trusting in it enough to invest in us,” he said.

Red Shuttleworth, Managing Director of G.U.D Holdings, said that as partnerships go, there will be benefits for both parties. “I would like to believe that this donation and Learnership opportunity will be of great worth to CHSA – and will really motivate these senior learners to do well and work towards joining our company as interns and hopefully making it a possible future career. In exchange we get to welcome some bright new minds into the organisation – and that is very exciting.” He added that G.U.D’s CSI mission has never been about just giving away money (the company has a number of partnerships with charities and schools in KwaZulu-Natal where it is based). “We are really more interested in seeing the development happen and I believe this is a great way to make a sustainable difference to the school, its learners, their families and hopefully even their communities.”
According to Shuttleworth, G.U.D. heard about the great work of Christel House and later several G.U.D execs visited the school and were extremely impressed by the quality of education and social development at Christel House.

Wayne Grews, Board Director of Christel House SA added, “I would like to thank Red Shuttleworth and his team from G.U.D for their generous donation; the proceeds of which will make a huge difference to the lives of the children they are sponsoring.
“This school continues to give its pupils from some of Cape Town’s poorest communities a pathway out of poverty through an educational experience based on key values such as merit, hope, discipline and hard work. The 100% matric pass rate over the past two years is also testament to the enormous successes being achieved at the school. It is therefore easy, in speaking about CHSA, to show companies like G.U.D that their donations go right to the heart of breaking the cycle of poverty and that there is a transparent, direct return on their donations,” said Grews.

“You have inspired me”, said Shuttleworth to the CHSA learners, “I believe by investing in you we are investing in the future of South Africa.”

For pictures on this blog, view the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.214312495283249.48508.100001135005970

Lucky Star School’s Program associated with Pick and Pay held this competition last year and approached schools in the Western Cape to participate in the competition. We glady partook and submitted the most entries, leading us to come first in the competition.

Apart from receiving R11 000, Toyyiebah Cupido, grade 6 learner received R4000 towards her tuition fees at CHSA. Since Toyyieba won the competition she received R500 for her own personal use, and because she is a learner from CHSA, we won an additional R1000. The teacher who submitted the entries also won R500.

We are so proud of CHSA on this wonderful achievement.

According to Clarke Schilder, the music teacher at Christel House, the concert gave the Peace Mass Choir an opportunity to present a united voice, promoting a message of peace and harmony in South Africa and the world. The concert programme included John Rutter’s “For the beauty of the earth” and “All things bright and beautiful”, Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria”, as well as a special composition called “A piece of peace” by Misha Favis, a 14 year old South African musician who is studying at the Yehudi Menuhin Music School in London.

“The concert was a success in many respects. Firstly it helped us to raise funds for all three schools, secondly, I believe it was quite inspirational and did indeed bring forth the message of peace, and lastly, and not least due to the contribution of Kyle Shepherd, it was a very enjoyable and entertaining experience for everyone who attended.

Schilder added that Shepherd was also very impressed by the professionalism and talent displayed by the three choirs. “I have been featured as a guest at many choir events, but none quite like this – these choirs are truly good and it’s wonderful to be part of something that is this entertaining, but that is also helping to develop the youth and their talent,” said Shepherd.
Nosipho Sigila, a grade 11 member of the CHSA choir said that the concert was a wonderful experience. “It was nice getting to know the members of the other choirs and uniting with the other schools like this. And it was a great honour to meet Kyle Shepherd and be a part of something so special,” she said.

Schilder said that as part of CHSA’s 10th anniversary celebrations this year, the choir will embark on a recording project to capture their progress and all the performances of the past decade.

On beyond the school is a housing area called Freedom Park. It consists mostly of very small houses built nearly on top of each other. It was there that we could see the thick black smoke billowing up towards the sky. The sound of sirens was heard, and we could see people fleeing from where the blast had just occurred. We could also see Maria, a volunteer for CHSA, racing away from the fire and smoke with her little granddaughter in her arms. Just minutes ago, she stood in our classroom. We wondered if she and her grandchild had escaped without injury. It was while our eyes were on her that another loud explosion rocked the classroom and before long, yet another.

We practically mobbed Maria as she hurried back to the school, still cradling her grandchild. We were so happy to see they were both fine, but obviously shaken. Of course we wanted to learn from her what had happened, and how the others were. She explained to us that a fire had started in one of the homes and had spread to the gas tank outside. Since the houses are situated so closely together, the fire had moved swiftly from house to house, causing a chain reaction of exploding gas tanks. Sadly, 8 homes burned down today, but thankfully, no one was hurt.

In the midst of all the chaos, some of our CH staff went to see how they could assist. They saw people running and screaming, not knowing where to go or what to do next. Those of CH set aside their own fears and safety to help salvage the few possessions that were left behind from the charred homes. Others helped the women tend to their children.

Each and every day these same people work tirelessly to serve our children at CH. Often they are the ones standing in the shadows of the teachers, yet quietly carrying out such important responsibilities for the children. On this day, they also reached outside the borders of the school to help others in need. Certainly they represent the very heart of Christel House South Africa. If you asked them what they did today, most likely they would simply say, “Oh, not much. It’s all in a day’s work.”

From those living in Freedom Park to those of us working at CHSA, we look to them with pride. They inspire us to give our personal best. We thank them for all they do. Most certainly the residents of Freedom Park must feel such gratitude to them, and I have a very strong feeling that they also now call them their friends…and their heroes.

Jan keucher
CHSA Member and Volunteer

On the 16th February, CHSA hosted the official inauguration of the school’s newly resourced senior library. The group of 23 OTM members who were responsible for the donation were invited to the school to join CHSA in celebrating the joyous occasion.

Our high school Principal, Ronald Fortune thanked the group of ‘social champions’ from OMT who worked on the fundraising project they termed the ‘Save a Challenge’ project. We gave OMT the opportunity to cut the ribbon that would officially open the schools proud new library and also presented them with a donor’s plaque to show their gratitude.

Seane Corn, an internationally celebrated yoga teacher and one of the founding members of OTM, who are dedicated to bridging yoga and activism by facilitating personal empowerment through leadership trainings, fostering community collaboration, and initiating local and global service projects, said that they heard about CHSA through another American organisation.

“We were sure that CHSA was indeed a worthy cause to support because not only is the school providing excellent education to hundreds of children who come from some of the most poverty stricken areas in Cape Town, but they are creating sustainable change in many communities through their unique model of education,” she said.

According to Fortune, the model is concerned with empowering learners and breaking the cycle of poverty.

“Through this model we are cultivating a group of learners that will not grow up conforming to society’s standards of what they should be. In addition to our mandate to educate, we are grooming learners that will stand out and make a difference. They will be change agents for society and have a real opportunity to live their dreams. They will be leaders for a brilliant new generation,” he said.

According to Corn, each of the members who were involved in the project spent a full year raising awareness and funds for CHSA through their own networks back home. Inspired by what Christel House was achieving, they each raised a significant sum of money by selling different types of products, like woven armbands and hosting wine tastings. On the day of the inauguration they helped learners and teachers cover and catalogue books in the library.

“I believe that CHSA is making an enormous and lasting difference in solving one of the most critical problems in South Africa and I can’t describe how proud we are, even more so now that we have seen the school, met the inspiring teachers and staff and interacted with the wonderfully natured learners, that we have established this partnership,” she said.

Director of OTM, Suzanne Sterling, commented that this was indeed a partnership and that their involvement would not end with this project. “We are friends and fans of this school for life and will be looking for new creative ways to assist the school in their good work for many years to come,” she said.

A big thank you to Off The Matt Team!

After lunch and recess, our little Grade R children all lie down on a very thin and worn mat. It is the same mat that they walk on every day with shoes that have just come in from the dirt of the playground and the sand in the sandpit. The mat itself is pretty large, but still, even given its size, the 29 children lie there, packed in like sardines. The overflow of children goes to a smaller mat right next to the large one. The school days must feel long for most of our little ones, since many have never experienced the structure of school before. Once nap time rolls around, we have no trouble getting them to lie down in a pattern, with the head of one lying next to the feet of the other. Usually within only a minute or two, nearly each one has gone to sleep. From time to time, we hear the snoring of this one and that one.

Many of our children come from loud, often volatile, crowded homes, where each must struggle to find that precious quiet space we all require. We know that many of our children get practically no sleep at home. Consequently, several often fight to stay awake in class, even at the start of the day.

I think of our children back home (U.S.), and I can only imagine the complaints we would hear with such a sleeping arrangement as this. There would be constant groaning about the dirt, the thin mat, the heat, and most certainly the proximity of each child to the next. In contrast, here I see children asking so little from life, not even for the most basic of items, such as a place to rest. What truly inspires me is their attitude of acceptance and gratitude. They seem so happy to be in this safe haven called school, having a teacher who loves them, and having this small space on the mat–a place to call their own.

Jan Keucher
CHSA Member and Volunteer

I must admit, the first month I was here was incredibly difficult for me. I knew nothing about the school, the city, or the country. I knew no one. Oh, the things I had to learn, and these were basic things. “What did he/she just say?”, I asked myself. I struggled so much to understand the different accents. “How do I pronounce this very long name?”, I thought. Not only could I not pronounce the names, but I also couldn’t remember the names. Perhaps the most embarrassing part though was that I wasn’t even sure if some of the kids were girls or boys! Do I dare admit that at times I still can’t? Each day I was stumbling my way through, and probably most teachers would say I was more of a burden than a help.

The second month began, and to my surprise, everything began to fall into place. Those things which had been so hard for me were now feeling a great deal easier. I loved knowing I would be at the school each day. By the time my second month came to an end, I absolutely knew I must come back. The children had become like my own. How could I just forget all about them when I had grown so very fond of them? That was about 6 1/2 years ago, and I must say, they are such a part of my life.
There is nothing quite as sweet as being greeted each morning by their warm, smiling faces and hearing them nearly shout in unison, “Good morning ________, and a super day to you!” It gets us every time.

Are there challenges? For sure there are, but we accept those challenges, and work hard each day to improve each child’s life, giving the best of ourselves to them.

Jan Keucher
CHSA Member and Volunteer