We learn twice, when we are taught and when we teach.
In the heart of Kalbaskraal, where community spirit thrives amidst the challenges of rural life near Cape Town, No-Stone Foundation stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. As volunteers, each of us embraces the daunting task of nurturing change in a landscape where every effort feels like pushing against the wind. But amidst the trials, there are moments of pure magic that remind us why we embarked on this journey in the first place.
Reading, is the single biggest scurge that afflicts the young people of our times, and SA is a chronic sufferer.
Sakia’s Place, our sanctuary and hub of activity, witnessed one such moment of enchantment courtesy of Peta, our indefatigable champion of literacy. With her boundless creativity and dedication, Peta orchestrated a lesson that defied convention and left us all in awe.
Enter “Kala se nuiwe skoen” – a simple book 5 pages big. And yet armed with just this single collection of words, it turned out to be a treasure trove in the hands of a Pro, Peta embarked on a journey of her own, guiding eager minds through the labyrinth of language with nothing more than a single word: “Skoene.” In the hands of a lesser mentor, this might have seemed an insurmountable task.
But Peta, with her innate understanding of the power of storytelling, transformed a simple word into a gateway to boundless imagination. With each page turned, she wove a tapestry of wonder and curiosity, captivating the hearts of children and adults alike.
As the story unfolded, so too did the minds of our young learners, enchanted by the magic of literature and the joy of discovery. Through Peta’s guidance, they explored the depths of language, unraveling its mysteries one word at a time. It was a lesson not just in literacy, but in the transformative power of education itself. I could say exactly the same about the adult champions that were being trained, as the training was the purpose of the session.
But our journey did not stop there. A day later, Andrew from the Reach Trust unveiled “Finding Thabo,” a beacon of hope for preschool education. His practical wisdom, coupled with Peta’s creative spark, ignited a fire within us all, driving us toward a future where every child has the opportunity to flourish. I will talk more on this fantastic resource at a later stage.
Yet, amidst the excitement, a humbling realization dawned upon us. I was distracted by a noise outside, the kind that only young folk make. As I ventured outside, I encountered a group of young folk 6 yr – 10 yr old and challenged them “OI, what are you doing here” there was nothing for them to do, as the Campus was not open. They responded, “ons het boeke, coach” while reveling in the joy of discovery. “We have books, Coach,” they exclaimed, a testament to the unseen impact of our endeavors. While I am standing there, completely humbled, I hear some more noise behind me and this time it is a bunch of 5 – 8 boys, regular trouble makers, and I challenge again and low and behold, the same response ” ons het boeke, coach”
In that moment, as laughter mingled with humility, the true essence of our journey revealed itself. For in the quiet moments of reflection, we find solace in the knowledge that our efforts, though unseen, bear fruit in the most unexpected ways.
As we continue on our path, let us carry the lessons of resilience and imagination that have guided us thus far. Let us celebrate the magic of literacy, and the profound impact of dedicated mentors like Peta. And let us never forget the transformative power of education to shape minds and hearts, one word at a time.
