Teach2Teach, a community and social investment initiative, together with its corporate sponsor, FOXit, have shared the Madiba magic with learners from the Itumuleng Lethabong Preschool in Irene Extension 2, Gauteng.
Teach2Teach is an organisation that equips teachers at underprivileged schools with the necessary skill sets to help them perform their duties and this, ultimately, helps to ‘add a brick or two’ to the foundation of an educated country.
They do this by providing advice, on-the-job training and support to teachers, many of whom are not adequately qualified or trained.
Management at Teach2Teach say a large number of these schools do not have the funds available to help teachers acquire the necessary training. Moreover, the country’s pre-school system does not effectively address the need to educate and skill up student teachers.
On July 18, former South African president Nelson Mandela’s birthday, Teach2Teach used its 67 minute contribution to focus its attention outside of the classroom and help revamp the School’s premises by constructing a sensory garden for children.
This involved planting a range of herbs and flowers that visitors to see, smell, touch and taste explains Wendy Watson-van Tonder, spokesperson for the initiative.
“We wanted to do something that would leave a lasting impression, a project that would not only be of value on this day – but every day going forward. We also wanted to use the opportunity to remind our learners of the need to help things grow. It is a great initiative that we are sure will add meaning and value in years to come,” Watson-van Tonder explains.
Organisers were assisted by management and staff from FOXit, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and service provider focused on Project and Portfolio Management (PPM) in business.
The Centurion-based company is an official partner and sponsor of Teach2Teach and its affiliation forms part of a focused, strategic Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) and corporate social responsibility programme.
Chairperson Mike Fox-Martin and other members of staff did not mind getting their hands dirty in this special, dedicated effort to improve the environment for learners at Itumuleng Lethabong.
The children were joined by learners from The Cornwall Hill Pre-school who joined their new-found friends in a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ in honour of Madiba.
All learners were then given the opportunity to plant herbs and flowers as part of an ongoing project to teach children the value of nurturing and sustaining growth in their own gardens.
“We are very proud of the work done by Teach2Teach. This is an initiative that is all about sustainability, about care and dedication – attributes and skills that will help develop the future leaders of South Africa. This is a great event and we are happy to be associated with the effort and offer our continuous support,” said Watson-van Tonder.
