PRESIDENT ELECT PAYS VISIT TO SCHOOL.

Report on visit to school:

At the end of May, Sharon and I, along with close friends Angela and Neil Finch, had the privilege of visiting Newclare Primary School to see first hand how our financial support to date has enhanced just a small part of the school yet enriched the lives of many of its 968 learners. The new library area is fantastic and a credit to Maureen and others who worked so hard to create it using the money that we set to them. 

In a deprived area on the outskirts of Johannesburg, surrounded by drugs and associated gun crime, the school functions with limited resources; the teachers are committed and the learners appear content, although most are having their lessons in classrooms built primarily of asbestos. There is still much to be done.

The teachers' vision for the future is to extend the newly refurbished library area to become a Learning Resource Centre with an IT area, tables and chairs where the learners can do their homework and private study, and a soft seating area where they can just relax and read, removed from the troubles outside. 

So, looking ahead, our fundraising will continue under the supervision of our International Team throughout the coming Rotary year 2024-25. Perhaps we could consider partnering with a local Rotary Club in South Africa and apply for a 'Global Grant' from the Rotary Foundation?

The new area in the next phase will require some minor construction work, redecoration and furnishing, not to mention the provision of laptops. 

In the meantime, Byrchall High School in Ashton-in-Makerfield has already embarked upon a literacy partnership, including a planned essay competition, with each of the schools' learners recommending books for the others' to read. Letters have been exchanged and new remote friendships forged. 

As I prepare to begin my year as President of Rotary Newton-le-Willows I feel confident that we can give further financial support to make the vision a reality, and I am looking forward to another visit, hopefully in 2025, to see the progress! 
  
Ray Edwardson 
06/06/2024