4 Pillars
The 21st Century brings with it a new set of challenges and it is our belief that we need to focus our education inputs on equipping our learners to meet these challenges. To this end our educational programmes are:
- English Literacy: For young people in rural areas it is vital that they have the ability to speak English. Adult English literacy is also important in order to facilitate and encourage the learning of the young people. The English literacy classes roll out through Literacy Hubs with the Londolozi Learning Centre and the Bergmanshoogte Learning centre being the central hubs. The programmes involve the training of literacy facilitators and then the running of ongoing classes and training.
- Digital Literacy: Computers and technology have the wonderful ability to level the educational playing field, but if young people in the rural areas are not exposed to computers this will merely serve to widen the gap of haves and have-nots. There are numbers of computer centres in all rural areas that are not being used to their full potential, lack of expertise and staff result in school computer centres staying empty. Digital literacy is to be rolled out using our trained facilitators through our learning centres and in partnership with the schools in our areas. Using the International Computer Drivers Licence (ICDL) we aim to equip the learners with a world recognised computer courses.
- Environmental Literacy: Imparting knowledge and a sense of wonder in young learners is vital in our world today. Young people living in the communities around game reserves need to understand and see the benefits of wilderness areas even more so than those in the cities. The future of these wild places will depend on it. All of us need to be living in mindful partnership with our planet and learning this early will result in a productive future for these young people. To increase our role and influence in the teaching of Environmental Literacy to young rural South Africans through workshops, conservation clubs and programmes at our learning centers.
- Creativity Literacy: The ability to think and be creative has never been of more importance. In schools where funding is in short supply it is usually the creative pursuits that are cut, and focus is on the academic. While academic learning is important, creative activities in young learners are just as important to their future success. This is even more important for young learners who have been exposed to trauma or crisis. So many of our young people have been affected by violence, death (HIV-AIDS) and poverty and the importance of using creativity to unlock their potential is something that is extremely important. We also use creativity workshops (among other things) to promote Early Childhood Education through Teacher training in the preschools we are involved in. Through creativity workshops for both teachers and learners as well as through the use of art and drama therapy, we hope to help the young learners reach their full potential and be able to use creative thinking and skills when they reach adulthood.
