This post is the fifth in a series about my experience while teaching and traveling this summer in South Africa. Here are the links to the previous posts:
Impact of Caring: Post 1 - Faaidah and Mahavia Impact of Caring: Post 2 - Fiona and Cheryl Impact of Caring: Post 3 - Kannemeyer Primary School Impact of Caring: Post 4 - Julika Falconer Des Thoughtful, dedicated, generous, sincere and a true friend – these are just a few of the words I can use to describe Des. She and her husband Rod welcomed me into their home two years ago, and once again they opened their home to me, for which I am so completely grateful. While we live the world away from each other, we are lifelong friends. From sunset beach walks in Durban, a Bunnychow dinner, interesting political discussions, long drives to Johannesburg and Limpopo Province, as well as an unforgettable Safari experience, my trip would not have happened without their help. I can’t thank them enough for sharing their time, home and willingness to transport me near and far to help make my trip come together. Des has been my liaison with Highbury Preparatory Primary School for many years. This private school believes in helping other less fortunate area schools and my Books to Africa project has been able to contribute to this relationship. Des recently retired from her technology teaching position there, but she remains committed to helping the teachers and students with reading at Inchanga Primary School. This government school in the Valley of a Thousand Hills serves a very disadvantaged community with high needs for extra support. Des has been providing guidance and support for the administration and teachers who have started the school’s very first library. We have been able to donate some of the books for this library. Having a library at a school with over 1,000 students and classrooms of at least 50-60 students brings a different set of issues to solve. The room is small, so 50 students can’t come at the same time with their teacher. There isn’t a librarian to oversee the children when they come without their teacher either. With some mobile carts or boxes and a willingness to figure it out, I know these teachers and Des will find a solution because they care. Reading and literacy is key in ensuring that these students have a quality primary education and a solid foundation for secondary school.
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Julie HembreeI am Julie Hembree, a teacher librarian in the greater Seattle area. I am passionate about providing children in need with quality reading resources. The opinions expressed in this Blog are strictly those of Julie Hembree and its contributors. They do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of any other entity. Archives
September 2017
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