SOS Africa‘s Gordon’s Bay Education Centre officially opened in March 2024 and provides holistic education and care to disadvantaged children from the Lwandle, Nomzamo, Temperance Town and Sir Lowry’s Pass Village Township communities in Cape Town, South Africa.
This exciting new facility operates as the charity’s regional headquarters and provides holistic education and care to disadvantaged children from across the region. Shortly after its opening, SOS Africa’s Karabo and Hazel gave a virtual tour of the new education centre…
Lwandle/Nomzamo Information
Lwandle and Nomzamo are township dwellings based in the Helderberg Basin. The settlements were originally established during the Apartheid era to accommodate single male workers but have since expanded into family homes at a rapid rate. The population of the Nomzamo Township alone stands at over 60,000.
Due to its high population density and reliance upon seasonal work, many of the Nomzamo households are heavily reliant upon social welfare with no other sources of sustainable income available. Education is also problematic; there are only a limited number of places available in mainstream schooling for children living in this region.
SOS Africa’s Gordon’s Bay Education Programme
SOS Africa’s Gordon’s Bay Education Programme is run by Operations Manager Li-andi and her team from a brand-new education centre based on Mountainside, Gordon’s Bay. A hub of constant activity, the facility has a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere which embodies SOS Africa’s enthusiastic and passionate approach to the education process. Its location is ideal; in close proximity to each of the charity’s Western Cape based education projects and partnering schools.
SOS Africa sponsored children currently attend 7 different schools in the Heldeberg Basin: Somerset West Methodist Primary School, Hottentots Holland High School, Mondeor Eco School, Parel Vallei High School, Strand High School, Generations School, Daniel Academy and Milkwood Academy.
Whilst the SOS Africa sponsored children attend these schools during the mornings, during weekday afternoons they attend aftercare at our Gordon’s Bay Education Centre where they receive a balance supplementary education and care programme.
SOS Africa’s Gordon’s Bay Education Centre is designed to facilitate a wide range of holistic aftercare activities including swimming lessons, art classes, gardening sessions, music lessons, woodwork and much more. Mentoring, counselling and tutoring are also provided to break down additional barriers to learning faced by our children.
More than anything, the centre represents a safe space where children from challenging backgrounds can immerse themselves in a wide range of fun holistic activities. For these children, the centre also represents stability; every weekday afternoon they will have a safe place to go where they will receive vital care and support which will enable them to grow and indeed flourish!
Find out about SOS Africa’s other Education Programmes…
