In 2010 volunteers worked on a greening and restoration project at a crèche and a secondary school in Wallacedene. These ‘sites’ were chosen through a participatory process whereby schools and crèches in the Wallacedene area were asked to put forward proposals as to the projects they would like to have done at their schools. These proposals were assessed together with NMTT’s capacity and the resources that were available. After much deliberation two sites were chosen:

Wallacedene Secondary School (before the 2010 Blitz)

Wallacedene Secondary School is a prominent high school in the Kraaifontein community that was relocated to new buildings provided by the Education Department (July 2010). This was a revolutionary change for a school which, since its establishment in 2006, has been operating out of dilapidated mobile classrooms with no area for activities such as practical work, science laboratories, sports grounds etc. The school accommodates roughly 850 learners, 24 teaching staff and 10 non-teaching staff.

Masakhane Educare Crèche (before the 2010 Blitz)

Masakhane Educare was the first crèche to be established in Wallacedene in 1992. It is easily one of the largest educare centres in the community with 180 children currently registered at the crèche (although the actual figure attending each day is closer to 200).  The crèche fees are R100 per month for 0-2 year olds and R80 per month for 3-6 year olds. Each child receives 2 meals a day during the school week and the crèche is run out of 4 classrooms. 13 staff members are responsible for the daily running of the crèche.

School & Crèche - Building Blitz November 2010

The school set up a ‘Blitz’ project committee that developed plans together with Mellon Housing. These plans had volunteers creating a vegetable garden, ‘chill out areas’ for the students, artwork for the hall and also painting initiatives which gave the school a new identity in their brand new surroundings. The school caretaker was directly involved during the Blitz to ensure that the work being done wo to be sustained by the school.
See all of the imagery of the Wallacedene School transformation >>

Mellon Housing also worked closely with the management team at the crèche to identify the needs of the centre. Volunteers gave the crèche a complete facelift by painting the crèche building and the perimeter walls. The children’s playing equipment was also restored together with the creation of a sand pit. The crèche’s existing vegetable garden was enhanced and the main entrance gate was be fixed.
See all of the imagery of the Masakhane Educare Crèche transformation >>

Wallacedene Secondary School - January 2011

Since the volunteers left Wallacedene Secondary School in November 2010 a whole new grade of learners have been added to the school. This added pressure has not affected the work done by the volunteers and the general impression is that everything is going relatively well. Time will obviously tell and the progress at the school will be closely monitored.

• The bench and paving areas are being used by the children. There are no major signs of wear and tear at the moment. The school is making plans to varnish the benches to prolong their lifespan.
• The majority of the trees that have been planted have taken. A couple have broken due to the strong winds and a few are struggling due to the immense heat.
• The relocated plants at the front of are doing well and are being well looked after.
• The vegetable garden is looking in good condition despite some challenges. The beans that were planted did not take well and the majority died. The tomatoes, carrots, beetroot, spinach and cabbage are all growing well. Some were relocated due to problems with the heat. Many of the vegetables will be used in the school feeding scheme over the next few weeks. The challenge will come in after the initial harvest has been completed...
• The AIDS Ribbon has been painted by the staff and it has become a real feature at the front of the school.
• The artwork done by the children has been put up in the hall, staffroom and in the school corridors. There were concerns that learners would vandalise these pictures but this has not happened.
• The hedge that was planted in some areas around the school seems to be one of the biggest challenges. Some of these plants have died and some have broken due to the strong winds.

A gardening expert, from a nearby nursery, will be visiting the school to give some advice on managing the growth of the garden, trees and hedges. Another gardening expert has  been organized to conduct a training workshop with those involved in the vegetable garden at the school.

See all of the imagery of the Wallacedene School transformation >>

Masakhane Educare Crèche - January 2011

It seems that both the staff and children of Masakhane crèche are still living off the hype created by the volunteers in November 2010. The excitement and energy inside the pre-school is very much apparent!

• The new playing structures and The ‘Bus’ are clear favourites amongst the children and are in continual use during break times.
• The sand pit is also well used together with the refurbished playing equipment.
• Two of the benches that were erected have broken. This was due to the materials that were used and not due to the misuse by the staff or children.
• The vegetable garden is thriving and some of the produce has been used in the school feeding scheme. The challenge will come in after the initial harvest has been completed...
• The new tables and chairs and educational equipment is also being used on a day-to-day basis by the crèche.
• The paving that was completed is in good condition, together with the plants that were planted beside the walkway.
• The artwork that was done on the perimeter fence and on the building is still in good condition.

A gardening expert has been organised to come in and run a training workshop with the staff involved with the vegetable garden.

See all of the imagery of the Masakhane Educare Crèche transformation >>