We are pleased to announce that SOS Africa has just completed its first school toilet renovation project at partnering school Somerset West Methodist Primary. In addition to the Learning Support and Holistic Child Sponsorship Programmes hosted by our Western Cape Education Centres, as of this year SOS Africa is going even further to eliminate potential barriers to learning for disadvantaged South African children.
Late last year our team hosted consultation meetings with the principals, governors and staff of our partnering schools to identify any additional barriers to learning which our organisation could help them overcome. The immediate response from the Principal and Governors of Somerset West Methodist Primary was an appeal to renovate the school sanitation facilities; with only broken toilets, smashed hand basins and leaking pipes available to the school’s 1200 students, these concerns were clearly justified.
Somerset West Methodist Primary School Boys Toilets…
Shortly after these discussions, we were contacted by Sharon Mordaunt from the Mordaunt Foundation and asked if we had any priority projects which require immediate funding. Before long, Sharon and her fellow Trustees offered to fully-fund the renovation work and sponsor the education of 10 SOS Africa children.
After the renovation work was completed…
The work itself was carried out by local building company JP Building and after only a few weeks both boys’ toilet blocks were fully renovated and re-tiled with new toilets, new water-saving hand basins and a vibrant new paint scheme.
Matt with Sharon Mordaunt and Principal Hindley | Jonathan and his crew from JP Building
The reaction from the staff and children when they first saw the newly restored toilet blocks was unforgettable: “Observing the children’s facial expressions, I could see the look of thankfulness in their eyes since many of them do not have basic toilet facilities at home.” (SOS Africa Somerset West Manager Li-andi Claassen)
And this is very much the beginning; SOS Africa CEO Matt Crowcombe is already planning similar projects with our other partnering schools across the region: “All children should have the right to access clean toilets, this is important to uphold their dignity and pride as human beings – we are so pleased that the school now has toilet facilities which they can be proud of.” (SOS Africa CEO, Dr Matt Crowcombe)
Sharon Mordaunt with SOS Africa children sponsored by The Mordaunt Foundation
