During our visit last week I had peppered Portia with questions relating to Keiland Primary. I had located it on the banks of the Black Kei River but had not made the connection that it was in fact on the far bank. I did not believe the principal of Intlangano that one would have to park at the top of the hill, traverse down and then carry the equipment across the river. The alternative I was told was a two and a half hour journey from Cofimvaba side.
On returning to Port Elizabeth on the weekend I had used Google Maps to determine the best route approaching the school from the Stutterheim side. An academic exercise but interesting nevertheless. We left Port Elizabeth round 05:30 with the intention of making it to Stutterheim by 08:30. The trip in was dirt road which took a good 2 ½ hours to cover 50km, the last 10 km in over an hour. This included the opening and closing of 9 gates and sections of the road that had to negotiated in first gear only. I was left with the thought of who in their right mind would willingly drive to find this school.
The setting for the school was absolutely awesome as it was an old mission station. Yes it was in a poor state of repair with no electricity and yet it had the charm of a school with an incredible history (established in 1890). There was an eerie silence with the absence of the usual noise associated with a school. Yes, the learners were busy with school which was pleasing to note.
The principal informed us that there were 38 learners in Grade R to 7 and that there were 15 learners in Grades 4 to 7. The decision was taken to let the Grade R to 3 learners simply play with the Lego while the senior pupils received exposure to the clean energy program. The differences in the language were very evident though most of them displayed the cultural shock with limited interactions. Despite this there was the single student who noted my incorrect orientation of the solar panel. Again I am left with the feeling that given the opportunity these learners can go as far as their counterparts in top private schools, given the chance.
Well, the Lego session was an absolute hit. By the time I got to the classroom every conceivable block had been used by 23 learners. My wife overheard one of the learners saying ‘opie tata’ or ‘where is father’ to show off her marvellous creation. Each one was a masterpiece in it’s own right and the owners were extremely proud of them. I was called by several pupils to take pictures.
One thing that I found a little disconcerting was the fact that the learners seldom smiled. I could not come up with a logical reason for this and yet I was very aware of their sense of achievement.
The customary hand over of equipment and photographs took place but I was once saddened to not leave any Lego with this school. It made a profound impression on these learners and I am convinced that these experiences will be etched in their minds for years to come.
Given the chance I would certainly visit the school again to meet the learners and to experience the joys of a school that is doing good work.
I had begun the day with the sad news of the passing of my father in the middle of the night. It was a tough decision to complete the contract in favour of travelling to Pinetown ahead of the funeral. There was simply no alternative to completing the project other than this week as my lectures start on Monday 09 February. Despite the tragic situation I was heartened to experience the joys of making a small difference in the lives of these learners.