Index

Vreugdevoetjies vision and mission Page

The town of in the Page

Background – demographics and population Page

Educational skills profile – Oudtshoorn and region Page

Poverty Page

The history of House of Hope/Vreugdevoetjies School Page

The Cango Valley community – Buffelsdrift, Schoemanshoek, Grootkraal Page

Organogram of School Structure Page

Organogram of School Management Structure Page

Parental Guidance Page

Budget Page

Finances Page

Evaluation Page

Needs and Dreams Page

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Vreugdevoetjies vision and mission (insert ONE PAGER)

Vision

We create a safe platform where our children are developed body, soul and spirit by dedicated teachers in a challenging community.

Mission

1. We offer a value based education in a secure environment

2. We guide our children to discover their own, unique identity

3. We have well trained, knowledgeable teachers, that have a deep understanding of the community

4. We transport the children to and from school

5. We provide nutritious meals on a daily basis

6. Children participate in sport, art and music

7. Continuous involvement in the upliftment and equipping of each parent

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The town of Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape

For most visitors to South Africa and the Western Cape, the is a must. This beautiful valley offers visitors landscapes of mountains, vineyards, fruit orchards and so much more. At almost the end of this route, one reaches the town of Oudtshoorn, the “ostrich capital of the world”.

This semi-dessert region lies between the Outeniqua and Mountain Ranges.

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Background – demographics and population

Known as a tourist centre as well as a farming community, this municipal district has a population of around 95 000 people in 21 910 households, according to the 2011 census, making it the largest town in the Little Karoo.

Demographics First Language

"Coloured" Afrikaans

"White" Xhosa

"Black African" English

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Educational skills profile – Oudtshoorn and region

Indicator Oudtshoorn Western Cape Literacy rate (2011) 79.4% 87.2%

Poverty rate (2010) 34.1% 22.1%

The literacy rate in the Western Cape is 87.2 %, which is higher than the literacy rate in the country as a whole of 80.9%. In this regard the Oudtshoorn literacy rate is below par at 79.4%. This could be due to the high dropout rates (26.6% in 2012) in Oudtshoorn perhaps as a result of learners having to leave school due to a lack of finances, teenage pregnancies, gangsterism and substance abuse.

Table 1 Education indicators in the Oudtshoorn

Learner enrolment Gr 1-12 2013 - 18 836 2014 - 18 933

Average teacher pupil ratio 2013 -29.0% 2014 - 29.5%

Average drop out rate 2012 - 26.6% 2013 - 28.1% (FET phase)

Percentage matric pass rate % 2011 - 80.4% 2012 - 88.1% 2013 - 89.4%

Literacy rate % 2011 - 79.4%

Oudtshoorn has a relatively large number of schools with libraries and media centres (22) and non-fee paying schools (34). This may be due to its larger population size. Learner enrolment increased by 0.5% from 18 836 in 2012 to 18 933 in 2013 resulting in an increase in the learner-teacher ratio from 29.0 to 29.5 %. The matric pass rate for schools within Oudtshoorn was relatively low at 85% in 2011 to 88% in 2012 having shown some improvement. It increased further to 88.1% in 2013, however it is still low compared to other local municipalities in the Eden District. The average dropout rate in the Further Education and Training (FET) phase was 28.% in 2013. Oudtshoorn has a low level of educated workforce as only 31.8% of its population over 20 years of age has a matric or higher educational qualification.

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Poverty

Poverty Rates Region/District 2001 2010 Eden 31.6% 21.7% Oudtshoorn 43.8% 34.1%

The Eden District showed improvement in its poverty rates from 31.6% in 2001 to 21.7% in 2010 and has thus underperformed with regard to the provincial average (22.1%). Oudtshoorn has the highest poverty rate in the District with 34.1%, despite decreasing from 43.8% in 2001. Oudtshoorn’s poverty levels are thus more severe compared to the District and the Province as a whole. This may be as a result of the high levels of unemployment in this municipal area.

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The Cango Valley community – Buffelsdrift, Schoemanshoek, Grootkraal

Visitors to Oudtshoorn will almost without exception, find themselves on the R328 towards the world famous Cango Caves, only 30km from town. Known as the so-called “Golden Mile” of the Klein Karoo, tourists pass the farming community of Buffelsdrift, just outside town, in their thousands every month. The present building of the school is situated right next to the R328.

The farm Buffelsdrift was a large and prosperous tobacco and ostrich farm some 80 years ago. But over generations the land was cut into ever smaller pieces, up to a point that is was no longer viable as agricultural unities. Many of the workers lost their jobs in the last 30 years. When farmers Piet and Laura Schoeman bought the farm in 2003, the unemployment level was around 60 percent. It has since been their dream to uplift and restore these people with hope and prosperity.

The larger area of Buffelsdrift consists of around ….. hectares. Prominent tourist attractions such as the Cango Wildlife Ranch, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge and Surval Boutique Olive Estate are all within its boundaries. These establishments, as well as the farm of Buffelsdrift, are the largest employers in the area.

Driving further north one finds 2 other settlements, namely Schoemanshoek and Grootkraal. As there are currently no pre-school facilities at the latter, we transport the children to and from this community daily (a distance of about 60km).

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So in the greater area of Buffelsdrift, Schoemanshoek and Grootkraal, there are about 400 underprivileged households, with no access to running water and electricity. (The municipality is in the process to equip some houses with solar panels). With an average of 8 people per household, we are looking at a total of 3200 people in our community.

This community is faced with some challenges, and here is a short description of the most important challenges.

a) The number of teenage pregnancies is staggering and on the rise. Girls as young as 15 become pregnant; and research has shown that some of reasons are that they lack a good self-image, effective decision making skills and effective sexual education. Another (shocking) reason, is to obtain social grants from government.

b) Due to a severe level of alcohol abuse in the area among old and young, a lot of the well-earned money that come into households, are wasted and not managed well. The abuse that is found within families as a result hereof, is a story on its own.

c) Several households do not have a young or mature male as a role model, as most of the young mothers are not married. Again, we are faced with the problem with the social grants. No wonder they are referring to fatherless families – a huge social problem.

d) As it is commonly known that a child’s most important development years are between 0 and 6 years old, we realized the desperate need for a facility that would create such an educational platform.

e) Unemployment, resulting in high poverty levels, remains a constant challenge to the community. This subsequently leads to extreme social problems.

f) High school dropout levels

We acknowledge these challenges and work towards minimizing the impact of these on our communities.

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The history of House of Hope/Vreugdevoetjies School

Since farmers Piet and Laura Schoeman bought a piece of the farm, Buffelsdrift, in 2003, it has been a dream in Laura’s heart to start a facility where small children could be cared for. With no formal educational training, she was not sure where to start and how to go about. The first step would be to get a building to convert into a school, but this was unsuccessful until October 2012 – when a local teacher from the community approached her for a building to start a school. For almost 10 years, she never gave up her dream.

The current available facility in the community could not meet the need. In the bigger area of Buffelsdrift alone, more than 300 children under the age of 6 years come from neglected homes, and could benefit from our facility.

On the 16th of January 2013, with 15 children and babies, Vreugdevoetjies (Happy Feet) opened its doors on the farm. It was a huge leap of faith, and today more than 80 children are enrolled at the school.

After many months of filling out forms, running after certificates, permissions, many regulations to comply to - the NPO organisation, House of Hope, was founded. All this was done with the help of volunteers. Ms Judy Kellerman was the main drive behind the process, and managed to register the school in record time. In Sept 2013 the process was finalised, and the school was incorporated at the Department of Social Welfare. Since March 2014, the school has received a subsidy from government.

The children receive 2 meals per day and one snack (fruit etc). Nutritional food is priority, and the children’s health have increased in the months that they have attended the school. The daily menu includes fresh meat, fruit and vegetables, eggs, nutritious porridge and milk.

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We are seeing the difference these dedicated teachers make in the lives of these children. From playing music, to reading stories and playing games, these children have opportunities that they would not have at home.

Ouerleiding (Filistea)

This community benefits from a good pre-school facility. We aim to invest in the next generation; therefore we have to invest in our young children. The younger they are, the bigger impact we can make in their lives. It is paramount that our children complete their school career. We provide a sound foundation for them to build on for the rest of their school going years.

We invest our time, our energy and our money in the next generation. We hope that you will join us in this venture.

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Organogram of School System

Brenda Van Schalkwyk

School Manager

Marietta Jansen

Principal

Veronica Booysen Ellezane Tiemie Shanon Baartman Jamie-Lee Alberts Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher

Doortjie Stuurman Charlotte Piedt Maria Simmers

Assistant Assistant Assistant / Cook

Today we have 5 trained teachers that provide the children with quality education, and 3 assistants to help cook and care for the children.

Our facilities include 4 spacious classrooms: 2-3 year olds, 3-4 year olds, 5-6 year olds, as well as babies’ under18 months. The classrooms are equipped with most equipment and furniture. However, equipment such as televisions and DVD players, are only still a dream.

Since so many of these children live as far as 10km from the school, we have to provide transport as well. In April 2014, Berluda Farmhouse and Cottages bought a minibus to sponsor the transport of the children. They are picked up from their homes in the mornings, and dropped off again after school.

We would like to uplift these children and give them an advantage in their education.

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Organogram of School Management System

Laura Schoeman

Chairperson

Brenda Van Marietta John Chantelle Mariette Filistea Rosie Magdalena Schalkwyk Jansen Plaatjies van der du Plessis Barnard Schoeman du Plessis Merwe Teacher Treasurer Member Member Member Member Member Representative Member

House of Hope stall at the KKNK 2015

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Finances:

Running cost per month:

Rent, including water and electricity R 4 000

Salaries (5 teachers and 3 assistants) R20 000

Food expenses R5 000

Administration (telephone, internet, office) R1500

Transport – vehicle (including insurance and maintenance) R7000

Diesel R3500

Total R41 000

Departmental Subsidy received monthly R16 170

Donations monthly R3 000

Shortage per month R21 830

Total expenses: Approximately R500 per child per month.

School fees have been introduced again @ R20 per child per month.

Evaluation

Formal evaluations are done by the Department of Social Development on a regular basis.

All books are audited on an annual base, compliant to the NPO regulations.

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Needs

1. Klein Karoo Resource Centre All our teachers are trained at a local training college, here in Oudtshoorn, the Klein Karoo Resource Centre. It costs R5000 per year to train one teacher. The bursaries that teacher used to receive for this training, has been stopped, so teachers are responsible for their own study fees. The school try to raise these funds for the teachers every year, as this is an investment in their future.

2. Invest in our teachers Salaries at state pre-school centres in South Africa are extremely low, especially in the light of the fact that these teachers undergo a 5 year training. The school would love to invest in these teachers by offering them a market- relevant salary, so that they too, can broaden their horizons.

3. Sponsor a child The monthly cost per child at the school accumulates to about R500 on average. Many of the parents are not capable or willing to contribute to these costs. Because the school believes so passionately in the investment of our children, they would like support these children, regardless of the circumstances at home.

4. Expansion of our facilities Within 2 years the school expanded from only 20 children to over 80 at this present time. The classrooms at the school do not cater for 80 children, so they desperately need to expand their facilities. At least one more classroom is needed. We strongly believe that only the best is good enough for our children.

5. Sponsored transport To pick up the 80 children from their homes each morning and afternoon, takes about one and a half hours and stretches over a distance of more than one hundred kilometres. 2 years ago, a bus was donated by Berluda Farmhouse and Cottages for this purpose. However, as the numbers increased, the demand for another bus is growing, so that 2 separate routes can be followed, and shorten the time of picking up the children.

6. Sport facilities As most of these children come from underprivileged homes, the opportunity to participate in sports, is nearly non-existent. There is a desperate need for a rugby/football field, as well as training facilities for athletics, as a lot of these youngsters are showing huge potential in this regard. Once the facilities are created, we would be able to attract local voluntary trainers to train these children.

7. Organic vegetable garden An organic vegetable garden will create an income for the community as well as the school. Although water is a problem in the region, there are many solutions to this, and this project will start in the near future. This is also a great opportunity for the children to learn the necessary “farming” skills to help them later on in life. Especially for those with learning disabilities, this creates a future for them.

8. After school care programme There are about 160 children at the local primary school enrolled. These children have got almost no support from home, as most of the parents are illiterate themselves. At the crèche we have access to all the facilities for an after school program, where some of these children could be assisted with homework, preparing for exams etc., we would love to offer this service for our children. However, transport would be needed, as well as funds for food. These children would receive a nutritious meal when they arrive after school.

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Dreams

We inspire to grow House of Hope / Vreugde Voetjies into so much more. In the future we would love to be able to implement the following:

1. Youth centre Imagine a place where young people can come and drink coffee, watch DVD’s, play games and socialize on weekends.

2. Bakery Imagine a bakery where fresh local breads, rusks and pies are baked daily by women from the community.

3. Local Farmstall Imagine a funky, peaceful, cosy,???? venue on the farm, where all the local products can be sold. Visitors can stop to buy fresh ostrich meat, olives, apricot jams, walnuts, and locally made arts and crafts from ostrich products. The locals can work in the coffee shop, where freshly baked cakes and breads are served.

4. A hostel / Orphange Although the idea is to eventually raise a new generation that will make the right choices, the community, especially the children, are still in need of tender love and care. As alcohol abuse is prevalent in the community, especially over weekends, a place of safety would be great to care for smaller children with no support system at home. Also, orphans with no place to go, could be cared for in this facility.

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