The Talawanda Pre- Primary School

Education in Africa is so very important. Many children do not have the opportunity to attend school, and most that do, fight very hard to be there each and every day. They often receive little to no food, have little to no teaching/learning resources, and support for the schools is hard to find.

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When we first arrived in Talawanda, Africa, we were brought to a small school that was in great need of repair. There were large cracks, and chunks of concrete missing from the floor, as well as large cracks going up the wall, and rotting ceiling beams. It was in such bad shape, that it was unsafe for the children to even be in the building.

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However, despite the disheveled building, the lack of chairs, tables or desks, even though they only have a small blanket to nap on, the children that attended the Talawanda Pre-Primary School were so excited to be there, and just so excited to learn. The truth is... we couldn't not help them.

 

So, Safari Project got to work. Repairs to the school were made, focusing on the safety of the students, making sure that all the cracks and ceiling beams were fixed. Almost all of the materials were made and collected by hand. Wood was cut in a ravine, and cut to size with a chainsaw, concrete was mixed with water and a shovel, and even the ladders used to repair the ceiling were handmade. A small, outdoor kitchen was also made, so that school staff could cook without having to sit under the hot sun. For the first time in the lives of the forty children that now attend the school, they have had a hot meal every single day for the last year. Until then, they had nothing.