“Literacy is the fertilizer needed for development and democracy to take root and grow.”
David Archer
The local government primary school in this area is Gogar Primary School. Some years ago this school consisted of eight rundown classrooms, a few desks, and squalid latrines. With the ongoing support of the VGT, the school now boasts clean and well-equipped classrooms, rainwater storage, and ever-increasing enrolment numbers.
As a consequence of improved facilities at the Vanessa Grant School for children with special needs, it soon became apparent that facilities at the local primary school were in a poor state by comparison. It was then decided that the VGT should become involved in the task of upgrading and enhancing facilities at Gogar Primary School. Since that time, the primary school has been transformed through the generous support of Cheltenham College and Brambletye School in the UK and King’s Edgehill School in Nova Scotia. Thanks must also go to the efforts of countless willing volunteers and donors.
Recently the trust has built a computer room that allows children to acquire invaluable IT skills. The school also offers IT courses to the broader community, thus providing opportunities for community members to also acquire such skills, as well as providing an additional source of income for the VGT. The latest project completed in 2020 during Covid is a much-needed assembly hall.
“The children were amazing and they were a real joy to teach. So many confused and eager faces staring back at you, ready to learn! The teachers at both VGS and Gogar primary gave me the warmest welcome and helped me whenever possible”
Tamara Nordman, volunteer teacher 2011
