Purpose for the Future

PURPOSE FOR THE FUTURE

Strong Schools’s purpose was highlighted this year with Mandela Day when we could, through collaboration bring sustainable change to the Nomzamo community. Keep on reading to learn more about this.

As a For Purpose Organisation (FPO) we are part of the more than 200 000 NGO’s in South Africa who do not only aspire, but do. We are involved in making a difference in the five under-resourced schools in the Helderberg Basin, that we serve. We believe that we are stronger together and can make this world a better place.

Annette Botha is contributing to the Strong Schools team since January 2021 and shares a couple of lessons which she has learned since then:

Working for an FPO has many opportunities to make a positive impact on people’s lives and is a place where you can live out your life purpose.
There are so many wonderful and good people who want to make a difference.

You cannot work in the NGO-industry if you don’t have the passion and heart to serve people.
In this industry the key focus is purpose and not personal financial gain.
Be ready to be challenged in the areas where you need to grow.
Don’t give up too soon, just around the corner the reward awaits.
Doing good in the right way, results in sustainability.
You cannot do the work only by sitting behind your desk, you need to get out and get your hands dirty.
An NGO is a bridge builder between stakeholders and the purpose being served.

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived.
It is what difference we have made to the lives of others
that will determine the significance of the life we lead.
- Nelson Mandela

MANDELA DAY INITIATIVES

On Mandela Day, 18 July 2022 we heard many stories of acts of kindness. On this day the good news outshines the bad news reports and many hearts have been filled with hope and joy.

Christmas Tinto Library

The Marketing team of Mukuru and Theo le Roux of Mural Maniac brightened up the library of Christmas Tinto Primary School’s library. From early on Monday morning Theo started with the outlines of the mural and the Mukuru team came in to do the painting and decoration.

Thank you for giving your precious time and talent to warm up the space which will bring joy to the learners of Christmas Tinto Primary School.

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Cleaner Greener Nomzamo

Strong Schools has successfully organized a clean-up in Nomzamo Strand. With great excitement members of the community came in numbers to give 67 minutes of their time to clean up their community.

The results were visible after 180 refuse bags were filled with rubbish lying around on the streets and on dumping sites. The enthusiasm and willingness from the community was incredible, and this event has been a good step towards building a strong foundation for the recycling project which Strong Schools will be launching soon.

The City of Cape Town supplied the bags, liaised with community leaders for volunteers and organised the collection truck to pick up the refuse bags. We are extremely thankful for the great support received from the City of Cape Town. We would also like to thank Capitec Bank for their assistance and support. Then a huge thank you to every community member who showed up and gave their time and efforts, in order to make this initiative a success.

Watch the video

OUR NEXT ONLINE TRAINING

More Information

SYNCHRONIZING THE COMPASS

It is of utmost importance to understand the heartbeat of a school in order to assist a school with sound advice. The aim of an organisation like Strong Schools Community Collaborative is to add value in order to build a stronger school environment.

Every big ship must enter a harbour regularly to synchronize its compass. Although this seems to be a small calibration, it is really important.

The idea of identifying aspects that are in need of calibration, lead to the development of a tool to be used to highlight possible red flags. The Compass Calibration Survey was finalised and introduced to the five Support Hub schools.

The feedback sessions have been successfully completed during May and June 2022. Meetings were arranged with members of the School Management Teams (SMTs) and certain areas of concerns were discussed. It is not the intention of Strong Schools to prescribe or to change. The SMTs engaged in fruitful conversations, made valuable contributions regarding possible adjustments and new areas of focus in the way they manage and lead the school.

The schools were advised to use the information to include in future School Improvement Plans. I am very excited to be part of the intervention and I am confident that it will lead to a positive outcome.

- Dr Henk Punt

COLLABORATION WITH OUR PARTNERS

Borehole for Nomzamo High School

At a Nomzamo High School Support Hub meeting the continuous shortage of water for their ablution facilities was raised. The Nomzamo Borehole project was introduced to Afrimat Bulk Commodities in March 2022, as a request from Strong Schools to assist the Nomzamo High School with water for ablution services.

Afrimat agreed to fund the installation of a borehole, with all necessary pumps and plumbing, as well as electrical plumbing alterations. Moreover, Afrimat project managed the project in collaboration with Strong Schools and made sure qualified service providers were appointed for the project.

“The company, motivated by our goal to continue adding value in communities where we operate, aligned our CSI to support the Sustainable Development Goals for ensuring access to water and sanitation, and allowing for more opportunities to better education for upward socio-economic mobility and escaping poverty. The project is one of the numerous ways we put people at the centre of all community development initiatives and thereby support the process of unlocking the talent of youth through learning and development.”

- Nokulunga Mbonda from Afrimat

Great alone but unstoppable together

Teacher Andiswa Ncinitwa with the netball girls

Walk with a Purpose is a shoe donation initiative that was started by the GraySwan Charitable Trust in 2016.

We are very thankful for Tania Theron of the GraySwan Charitable trust, who donated sports shoes to two of the

Nomzamo High School U/19 Netball Team members. The team will be participating in the Top Schools Tournament in Johannesburg in August. We wish them all of the best with the tournament and may they be unstoppable!

Thank you to Grayswan for your invaluable support to these learners, other Strong Schools ZA projects and for your support towards schools in the Helderberg Basin.

We appreciate organisations like you!

Stationery Drive

Thank you to Complete Office Solutions for donating pens and workbooks to Nomzamo High School matric learners. This donation supports them during their Winter Holiday Program, where they work through previous exam papers in preparation for their final exams.
Gestures like this make a big difference in the lives of learners in our under-resourced schools and show that our community cares.

Any donations of stationery are welcome.

Donate

COMPETITION

We have a few gifts from our community that we would like to share with every 5th person who adds Strong Schools as their beneficiary. All proceeds go towards funding the literacy projects at the under-resourced schools we serve in our community.

Just follow these easy steps to enter the competion:

1. Register Online: https://www.myschool.co.za/portal/register and

2. Send a screenshot of your registration to marketing@strongschoolsza.co.za.

Everything is free of charge. When you swipe your Myschool card, the partner stores use a percentage of your purchase as a donation towards your selected beneficiaries.

DONATE FOR CHANGE

Donations of R500 or more qualifies for an Article 18A certificate.

You can support our aim to pursue and to deliver quality functioning solutions for our schools in order to become institutions of hope that inspire healthy, wholesome and hopeful futures for our youth and society.

Bank details:
Strong Schools Community Collaborative NPC
FNB Business Account
Acc number: 62840238415
Branch code: 200912
Swift code: FIRNZAJJ

Request 18A Certificate

It is all about community and the power of collaboration.
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We appreciate your support and prayers. Stay safe and be blessed!