Mdutshini Primary School
E3’s Back to School programme supports 70 orphaned and vulnerable children at Mdutshini Primary School and 92 children at Ntabende High School in Elandskop, an isolated rural township, 62km outside of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. HIV is one of the leading causes of death and suffering. Parents are unemployed because there is no work nearby, no opportunity to travel for work and most are uneducated. Many children are orphaned and are being cared for by elderly grandparents and relatives. Grandparents receive a very small state pension, which is not sufficient to afford enough food let alone pay for school uniform and shoes. Families live in poverty and children struggle to attend school regularly. Some children walk as far as 4km from home without breakfast and look forward to a school meal, which is provided every day.
It is not just about giving a uniform and shoes. Going to school gives the children and their families hope for the future and shows that someone cares about their situation.
"I am delighted each morning to see my grandchildren walk to school well dressed, knowing that God, through some people I have never met, has met the needs of my grandchildren."
Nombuso, a widow who is caring for two orphaned grandsons who are part of the Back to School programme.
E3’s partnership:
Provides school uniform, shoes and books to the 240 children.
Runs biblical life skills workshops at the primary school to help the Back to School children cope with their situations, look to the future with hope and make good choices in life.
Built a new school kitchen where 162 meals are prepared every day for pupils at the school – for many it is their only meal of the day!
Runs a Girls’ Support Group, providing sanitary pads monthly so girls don’t have to miss school.
Built a Jungle Gym so the children have a safe and fun place to play at break times.
Set up a vegetable garden to grow fresh produce for school meals.
Built Fisokuhle pre-school next to the school so 50 orphaned and vulnerable children have a safe and nurturing place to start their learning journey and thrive.
Budget for Mdutshini and other Life Skills and bulk purchases of uniform: £25,000
“The whole traditional rural area is shaken and short of words to say thank you E3 for the funding to help build the pre-school.” Deputy Chief, Mr P.Z. Phewa, on behalf of 10 traditional areas under his leadership.
“Now I am like all the other children at school. They used to laugh at me for wearing old clothes.” Amile
“The uniforms are the greatest things a student could ask for.” Sbusiso
“The uniforms encourage us to do well at school.” Sithembile
Back to School children at Mdutshini Primary School