Rural Education SA is an initiative of the Fynbos Community Foundation. It has sprung from our passion to invest in the needs of children in our local community by providing them with the quality education they deserve.
What originally started as an informal daycare centre established by a fynbos farmer in Stanford over a decade ago, has since grown and developed into a network of three fully-fledged academies each of which are registered as independent schools with the Department of Education!
Our story
The original daycare centre established on the farm was set up to provide a safe place for children to go after school whilst their parents were out working. However, once opened, it did not take long for the teachers in charge to realise that most of the children in their care were far behind where they should be academically. The local primary school was oversubscribed, over-burdened and did not have the time or resources to give the children the attention they needed. Many children’s parents were also not equipped to give them the educational support needed as most parents were working full-time and many were poorly educated themselves.
It was gradually realised that these children needed help so the decision was made to upgrade the daycare centre and turn it into a facility which provided professionally qualified educators to assist with daily homework and extra tuition in literacy and numeracy required to enable each child to reach their full potential.
This centre ended up becoming our first academy and, being located on a fynbos farm, was re-named FYNBOS ACADEMY.
To read more about our schools, please click here:
OUR SCHOOLS
OUR SCHOOLS
At RESA, we are proud of our three privately-owned independent schools that serve the local communities. These schools offer a holistic approach to the development of each learner. We concern ourselves with their academic education as well as their general health and wellness, and their development as full-rounded individuals who are going to be the future of our communities and our country.
At RESA, we are proud of our three privately-owned independent schools that serve the local communities. These schools offer a holistic approach to the development of each learner. We concern ourselves with their academic education as well as their general health and wellness, and their development as full-rounded individuals who are going to be the future of our communities and our country.
Ikhaya - youth and home
Ikhaya is our latest initiative. This word means "home" in Xhosa.
Through this programme, we accommodate children who could not complete the mainstream school system into an alternative educational system that will take them off the streets, give them back their self-worth and assist them in entering the mainstream economy once they turn 18. There is a theoretical component to the programme as well as a practical component.
Children from the age of 14 to 18 are taught English, Afrikaans, and Maths, but they are also given the opportunity to learn practical skills such as woodwork, mechanical work, etc. The children create educational toys as well as home development solutions such as solar energy lamps and furniture that is suitable for low-cost housing. These items are then sold at very affordable prices to the local communities.
A dualistic approach is followed: We are developing our youth and cultivating self-worth in them, but we are also at the same time creating practical solutions for homes in areas where people are living in poverty. Our children are very proud of what they create and through the process, they develop immensely as young adults.
The programme is still only in its foundational phase and there are many other ideas that could still be incorporated. Therefore this is an ideal opportunity for volunteers to engage with us in order to further packed out what we offer. We encourage you to contact us if you are moved by what we do and think that you could help us.
Our practical learning involves the following areas:
Toys
Solar
Energy
Upholstery
Mechanical Work
Arts & Crafts
