While driving to Arthur Mfebe on Friday morning we tagged a few learners who had over 4 kilometres to get to school on a cold winter morning with frost on the ground. Many of the girls had their school gyms on with bare legs walking in temperatures that were hovering round the 2 degree mark and frost on the ground. Yes, the sun was just making an appearance over the mountain but these learners had a long way to go and would be punished for being late.
Assembly on a cold winter morning
This is a special community and each school welcomes visitors with open arms and warm hearts. Assembly taken by the Principal, Mr Rwayi, was in progress and we waited for the Grade 11 and 12 learners to be released. The decision was taken to hold the demonstration in front of the Hydrogen Fuel Cells which power the Tablets for the ICT4RED (Information Communication Technologies for Rural Education and Development) project. The warmth of the sun was appreciated by all as it would definitely have been colder sitting in a classroom. Conducting sessions in the sun makes a powerful statement for clean energy especially where one is able to draw parallels between demonstrations and the real world in such close proximity.
By the time we left for Mbudlu the combination of local traffic and the sun had dried out the roads which were virtually unnavigable just 24 hours earlier. There was one section of the road which did provide an adrenalin rush for all but it was substantially shorter than the previous day’s experience. Clear skies allowed Cadi and Orcilla the opportunity to see the local community that we drove though. Washing was being done, cows grazing at the back door, pigs scurrying around the yards, dogs and goats chasing each other amongst a well-constructed houses interspersed with traditional buildings of adobe bricks and a zinc roof.
A picture is worth a thousand words
The Principal, Mr Bangweni gave us decision to host a Duplo session in the sun using shade cloth for the learners to work on. The excitement from the Grade 1 and 2 learners was deafening as they literally dived into the box. This kept them occupied and allowed for their minds to wonder into different worlds for the 45-60 minutes while the clean energy demonstration was underway. The rest of the school was left to stare out of the windows to wonder why they were not selected to participate. The decision as to which Grade is always left up the principals as to which groups are selected to participate.
The final visit for the day was St Marks which was opposite Arthur Mfebe. Time was limited as the school finished at 1pm on a Friday. The other problem is that schools are given permission to use the learners to clean the school from midday on a Friday as there are no funds for cleaning staff let alone a caretaker. It was interesting to see everyone scurrying around with various chores to ensure that they could finish by 1pm. Our demonstrations and letters were also completed before this time with the equipment handed over to the Principal, Mr Tafane. This meant that we could do the 5 hour drive stopping for diesel and another short break in Fort Beaufort and still be home before it was dark.
Local road conditions
Hydrogen Fuel Cell in action
Customary desk grave yard
It was mission accomplished for all schools even under very difficult weather conditions and limited time. 6 Schools completed with a further 4 for the next visit.