There is hope on the horizon for those who want to complete their matric education thanks to an organisation that specialises in adult education.
Hopeful Leaders Night School will be coming to Lavender Hill to facilitate classes for the community to empower, develop, and alleviate hardships.
The organisation was started by Yumna Alexander in Manenberg in 2019 and has grown so much that it has locations in Mitchell’s Plain, Delft, Bishop Lavis, Bonteheuwel, Hanover Park and now Lavender Hill.
The need for the service is evident and there has been a lot of interest in and success with the programme, said Ms Alexander. Speaking from her own experience, she dropped out of high school in Grade 11 as a result of teenage pregnancy and her dreams of becoming a teacher were all but over – or so she thought.
“I was a statistic and I initially thought there was no hope for me, that my dream was not going to happen until I realised that I wanted to finish my matric and I wanted to become a teacher,” she said.
She studied hard and wrote the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination in 2012 but knew she wanted more so she studied in 2019 and helped people at Manenberg library with computer training. This was when she realised that most participants didn’t have a matric certificate.
“I heard the stories, the pain of why they didn’t complete their matric and how much people were suffering economically. I could see the hunger and I related to every story because I was a single mother and I know how much my life changed when I got my matric certificate so I wanted to give other people an opportunity to do the same.”
She then researched the possibilities of a night school, sent out a message on social media, and on the first night over 200 people pitched to take part – she had only prepared for about 40.
“That was where it started, we got three teachers on board and we started the Community Learning Centre (CLC),” said Ms Alexander.
Asked why she chose Lavender Hill as a location for the CLC, she said the socio-economic challenges in the area were a clear indication that the service was needed and there had been an outpouring of requests to make the services available in the southern suburbs.
“With everything happening in Lavender Hill and it being a red zone because of gang wars I thought it was time to bring some positivity not only to Lavender Hill but the broader community.”
The six-month programme will be at Lavender Hill High School, registration for classes is in September and participants will write exams next year.
Principal Fuad Viljoen was ecstatic when the organisation approached the school to facilitate a venue.
“I tabled the proposal to the SGB and they accepted the proposal because it is very needed and can only bring positive results. We are a community school and the partnership with Hopeful Leaders will bolster this.
“Retreat, Steenberg, Cafda, and other surrounding communities will be able to take part and this will help uplift the community economically because with your matric certificate, you can find a stable job because at most jobs the first thing they ask you is if you have matric. So there are exciting times ahead.”
Classes will be from 5 pm to 8pm and will cost R15 a session to cover administrative costs and there is a once-off registration fee of R50. Registration is on Wednesday August 28 from 4pm to 7pm. Take your last report or testimonial, a copy of your ID and proof of address.
For more information contact Yumna on 073 903 7616 or call the school’s secretary Bronwyn Abrahams on 081 583 0027 and check out their Facebook page.
