The grade R to 6 learners residing at the Malacca Road informal settlement are being an extra chance to succeed in life with the Seed Fund’s Homework Centre offering them daily interactive sessions.
Initially called the ‘Hands-on Heroes Project’, the programme has evolved into something more worthwhile, benefitting the youth of the informal settlement. According to the organisation’s spokesperson, Charlene Steytler, the Seed Fund was originally registered as an NPO in August 2017, under the name Amaphupho Yezingane Seed Fund which means ‘The Dreams of Children’.
She said: “This is exactly what our organisation encapsulates, awakening and empowering the dreams of children. But we saw the potential in every person and the opportunity for growth in so many more ways, that we changed our name to ‘The Seed Fund’. Seeds are small, but with so much potential, given the necessary nurturing and care, can grow into big, life changing thing.”
Steytler said their vision is to inspire and awaken the dream of every child and bring about a sense of hope for a better future. She said by breaking the cycle of poverty through increasing access to education, children are given ample opportunity to grow, develop and flourish fulfilling their potential.
“Our homework centre and it is the best part of the day for these kids! We have a team of awesome volunteers who sit and do homework, read, draw, play and chat! It offers a safe space for the kids to come and learn, but also to feel loved and seen and heard. It is crazy to think how we started with a few desks and chairs and now we have a beautiful community centre that is fenced off, paved and sheltered. We love that we can provide this for these precious children!
“Jessica Hayes-Hill heads up and coordinates the volunteers at our Homework Center. She is an Occupational Therapist by profession and we are so grateful that she can share these skills with the whole community in developing programs and systems that help bring about some positive change. Jessica set up the homework center with the hopes to create a safe, loving and exciting space for the kids to be able to come and be nurtured and guided in their learning while also just providing the opportunity for the children to do their homework, read books and have fun,” said Steytler.
The Homework Centre operates from the Seed Fun Community Centre at the Malacca Road settlement from Monday to Thursday from 3pm to 4pm. “We assist the children with their homework, read, colour, draw and do some other craft activities. Volunteers don’t need to be a teacher, but just have a passion to help kids. It is the most exciting part of the kids week,” Steytler said.
To find out more about the Homework Centre and how to get involved, contact charlene@theseedfund.co.za.
