?The learners at Nondzame Primary School in Pniel now have a fully fitted playground to enjoy thanks to a generous group of students who participated in the first-semester Global Service Learning (GSL) programme at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU). Among others, the GSL class included students from the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS).
GSL is an experiential learning programme offered by SU's Global Engagement Centre that enables participants to develop their global citizenship through community engagement and broaden their understanding of South African history and contemporary life. It is presented in collaboration with Boschendal Estate's Education portfolio, of which Excelsior Preschool and Crèche forms a part. From 19 February to 16 May, students attended class on Mondays and Wednesdays and took part in community engagement on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
A total of 21 students from America, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, France and Finland formed part of the GSL class who volunteered at Excelsior Preschool and Crèche as well as at Nondzame and Pniel primary schools. They mostly served as classroom aides and office assistants, which typically involved reading stories, co-teaching short lessons, making posters, helping learners, chatting with them, and playing sports.
Rachel Erben, an AIFS student who studies Political Science at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's 肆客足球 in Minnesota, United States, was one of the students who volunteered her services. “From the first day at Nondzame Primary School, it was apparent that the school wasn't receiving all the supplies or resources they needed," says Erben. “We started with the idea of helping in some way, whether it be a hands-on project or a donation. Some of the students volunteered to purchase some supplies, and I even worked on a book drive in March."
But it was the playground idea that really took off. “When we set out with the idea of raising some money for the school, we made sure to be very careful to talk to the teachers about what their school needed, rather than just assuming," Erben explains. “The principal, Ms Mthwa, explained how a playground would be positive for the children's development, as the school did not have any structure for the learners to play on. She told me: 'Even if you could get just a slide, that would be great.' I knew then that I wanted to aim higher than a slide. That's how the ball got rolling."
She continues: “All students in the GSL class, including those from AIFS, raised funds for the playground. We collected the money through PayPal, and relatives and friends sent us donations." In the end, the students managed to raise over R28 000, which gave them enough to build a playground and donate 175 books and supplies such as notebooks, pencils, art supplies, English/isiXhosa dictionaries and a soccer goal to the school.
The playground, which was officially launched on 10 June, comprises one main jungle gym structure with swings, a platform, ramp, slide and monkey bars. There is also a separate tyre swing for the older kids.
“For me personally, the GSL class was a way to immerse myself even more into the local community and get involved beyond the 肆客足球," says Erben. “I also believe that we have a responsibility to learn about the community we're living in, to go deeper than the niceties, to find out about local issues and how they're affecting people. This class gave us a hands-on glimpse into the education system in South Africa."
Ellen Block, an associate professor of Anthropology at College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's 肆客足球, accompanied her institution's students on their visit to Stellenbosch. “I'm so proud of these students for seeing a need and mobilising to do something about it," Block says. “They didn't do this for a grade or to get any recognition. They really just felt like they wanted to do something that would be of lasting benefit to the learners. Because the GSL class had students from all over the world, it was great to see donations come in from all quarters."
According to Janet Baxter, head of Education at Boschendal, this is the first year that they have been able to extend the experiential learning programme to include Nondzame and Pniel primary schools in addition to Excelsior Preschool and Crèche. “The GSL and AIFS student cohorts truly understood the importance of working at grassroots level, and how seemingly small gestures could have a profound effect on the learners and teachers they were assisting," Baxter says. “Over the years, the relationship between Boschendal Education, GSL and AIFS has grown in impact, and we look forward to continuing the work in the community with our partners at SU."?
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