The HELP children are now being exposed to much more than just literacy and numeracy. Their education is being expanded to include the arts which we have found is essential during this very difficult time for humanity. Clearly COVID and the lockdowns have had disastrous effects on everybody but more so on the children as they do not really understand the full implications and are being subjected to fear from every angle. It is therefore essential that they are taught ways in which they can express their feelings and enjoy the creative processes. What better ways than giving voice to their frustrations, banging away on drums or watching a myriad of colours appear on their paper?
We have a huge amount to thank our volunteers for, because, without them, HELP would not be able to sustain the large number of students that we assist. Our volunteers are dedicated and sincere, committed and trustworthy and as such they are wonderful role models to our young children.
We have been very fortunate to have volunteers from Springfield Convent who have contributed an enormous amount with their time, dedication and love. The HELP children are always excited when the Springfield children arrive and they are encouraged to ask questions and discuss many issues with each other. After doing their work, they all play various games and have fun as they improve their studies and general knowledge.
For more than a decade, Springfield Convent Senior School learners have been an important part of the HELP community. Since 2014, Springfield students have dedicated their community outreach hours to supporting learners in our programmes, creating meaningful connections that extend far beyond the classroom.
From Monday to Thursday, Springfield learners spend time after school assisting children with homework and engaging them in educational games that make learning enjoyable, interactive, and rewarding. Their support helps build confidence, encourages curiosity, and reinforces the foundations for lifelong learning.
The partnership also reaches into our Foundation Phase programme, where Springfield parents generously volunteer their time for one-on-one reading sessions and literacy initiatives such as World Read Aloud Day. Through these efforts, they help nurture a love of reading and open doors to new opportunities for young learners.
More recently, former Springfield learners have continued to strengthen this relationship by responding to calls for assistance, including helping to prepare books for the library being established at Harmony Primary School. Their willingness to give back reflects the lasting impact of the connection between Springfield and HELP.
This year, former Springfield learner Ally Day has further strengthened this partnership by volunteering her skills and expertise to support HELP’s website. Currently pursuing a BCom Honours degree in Information Systems, Ally chose to complete her Community Engagement service with HELP, contributing her knowledge in website maintenance and content management. Her contribution demonstrates how former Springfield learners continue to find meaningful ways to support HELP’s mission, using their developing professional skills to enhance the organisation’s ability to serve learners.
We are grateful for the continued support of the Springfield community and invite others to join us in making a lasting impact. Together, we can strengthen education, foster literacy, and create brighter futures for the learners.
Imagine having a 17 month old son and giving birth to triplets! That is my favourite story to tell about our phenomenal trustee and volunteer Charlene Coosner who passed away from COVID in January 2021.
Charlene will forever be missed at HELP because she was such a loyal driving force and her commitment and dedication to HELP was remarkable. She was an integral part of HELP.
We can still “hear” Charlene’s voice across the HELP room saying “Does anyone want to change their library books?”
She gave so much to HELP in so many ways and reminded us that while we, in a more advantaged situation, grew up hearing things like 1, 2, 3 and a, b, c and being read to every night as little children, many of our HELP children have not had that input in their lives and have had all kinds of hardships and traumas to deal with from a very young age.
Charlene was very focused on reading and would always sit with the weakest readers and listen to them read for hours. She would tell them stories about her own life, her children, now grown up, and her grandchildren. Charlene was a gifted story-teller. We have named our junior and senior libraries the Charlene Coosner Library in honour of all her wonderful contributions. There is now a fund in Charlene’s name that has been set up that will have prizes of books to the children who show the most improvement and perseverance in their reading.
Charlene told us so many stories about her life with her four children and her wonderfully supportive husband, Errol who was always consistent, honest and had sound advice and input. Charlene was clear on boundaries and while she was warm, loving and kind, she would not allow people to walk over her.
The energy, love and commitment that Charlene has given to HELP since the beginning of its inception in July 2010, have formed a very solid and reliable structure for us to work with the children and to build upon.
Charlene’s legacy will live with HELP as long as HELP is there – we have a deep gratitude and love for her contributions, experience and expertise. It is still difficult to believe that the HELP door will not open and Charlene will be standing there and make her way to her place ready to face whatever issues come her way.
May Charlene and her family always be blessed.
HELP requires a little over R500 000 per annum to see through our programmes and assist our almost 3,127 children with the Homework Enrichment Lifeskills Programme (HELP). Kindly consider donating and help shape the future of our children.
Every rand donated goes to providing books and stationery, food and supporting the enrichment of our children.
Neville Sherman “Mr Neville” has been a wonderful asset to HELP. He is a retired principal and inspector of schools from the UK and has taught in many countries in the world including the Middle and Far East. Neville has “lent’ us many drums, djembes and other musical instruments and delights the children with drumming and musical sessions. He also teaches art, drama and has a fun perspective on the way he teaches. Thank you Mr. Neville!
Neville Sherman Volunteer