A homework programme four afternoons a week for under-resourced children, helping them to understand and expand their knowledge in reading and numeracy, and life skills.
Each child receives a nutritional snack, piece of seasonal fruit, juice upon arrival. We feel this is very important because a hungry child cannot focus.
HELP assists children from Grades 1 through 6 and while our original intention was to have the brighter children so that they could shine, the reality is that the need is much greater amongst the weaker children. The groups comprise between 8 and 32 children depending on the grade. A qualified teacher, Christelle Malan, is employed to plan and oversee all the extra lessons that HELP gives.
Apart from the program in the afternoon, we also have a morning program where the teachers send learners one at a time and our volunteers assist the child with reading. This enables each child who is struggling to have one-on-one time with an adult and it substantially improves their reading ability.
HELP offers a range of programmes designed to support learners academically, creatively, and personally. Each child is supported with care, respect, and individual attention to help them grow in both confidence and ability.
Encouraging creativity through hands-on activities and exposure to art history, helping learners express themselves with confidence.
Developing strategic thinking, concentration, and problem-solving skills in an engaging environment.
Supporting learners in reading, writing, and understanding English, helping them succeed across all subjects.
Encouraging imagination and storytelling through guided writing activities.
Teaching rhythm, coordination, and teamwork through fun, engaging music sessions.
A safe, structured environment where learners complete schoolwork first, followed by individual support to build confidence and a positive work ethic.
Promoting physical development, teamwork, and discipline through regular sporting activities.
Each grade is supported by dedicated volunteers who provide one-on-one assistance in reading, writing, and mathematics.
Learners are encouraged to participate in initiatives such as the WOW Spelling Competition and Phendulani Quiz.
HELP also organises cultural events and outings to give the children experiences they would never otherwise have – if and when funds permit. International visitors from different countries come to expand the children’s horizons. We also bring interesting speakers to talk to the children and give them a broader knowledge about, for example, South African history.
HELP believes, and has proved, that by giving children more individual attention and making the lessons as engaging as possible, the children’s marks and self-esteem improve dramatically.
In a hugely successful art project overseen by our volunteer Neville Sherman, students in both schools in HPS and TWSP explored the painting, ‘The Scream’ by Edvard Munch. They discussed what they think of the painting and what the artist may have been expressing when he painted it. From there they wrote about the things that made them ‘scream’ including personal things such as spiders or snakes. Then they wrote about what issues made them scream when thinking about South Africa or further afield in terms of global issues such as pollution, global warming, animal poaching and of course Covid. Following this, they then painted the image and used watercolor pencils to make their drawing and then added water to create their own piece of art work. To finish, many of the students ‘posed’ in the same way as the image to add a layer of fun. As you can see, some of their work is very imaginative and some writing, as you can read, is quite thoughtful. Please enjoy their work. Well done to all the students who tried hard on something that they did not find easy!
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.
Address : 11 Oyster Bay, Capricorn, Muizenburg 7945, Western Cape, South Africa
Email : hope@help-eduprogramme.co.za
Contact Number : +27 063 656 9384
