The Children of Light preschool held its annual donor breakfast at its Rondebosch East premises on Saturday.
The non-profit school, also known as Colt, opened in 2017. It provides free education to children living in poor communities in Athlone. The school started with six children, but thanks to support from private donors, it now has 14 children, one full-time teacher, two full-time assistants and a driver who fetches and drops off the children in a minivan.
During her presentation to the donors, principal Mala Makan said the school was finalising its registration as a preschool and should receive its certificate in the next three to four months. It had also received occupancy, fire and health clearance.
The school also offers social, health and school support to an additional 56 children.
Ms Makan said they were, however, running on a shortfall with an income of about R23 000 and R31 000 needed to cover operating costs.
“As we are not yet registered, we are financially sustained through donations, cash, in-kind and volunteer services, annual fund-raising events, wish lists, pledges.”
Nushfeekah Levendal, who works at the school as both a teacher and auxiliary social worker, said: “It is a blessing to be part of this school – something that is bigger than me. As a teacher my job is to bring out the best in my children, and as an auxiliary worker I am there to assist the parents – many who have the same dreams and desires for their children. I’m not there to teach them what to do but just to help and guide them.”
Parent Chereldene May said she did not know how to thank the school for everything it had done for her and her son, Diego.
Mevelyn Joon said it was thanks to the school that her son, Lameck, was in Grade R today.
“I am thankful to the school and teachers for everything they have taught my son. He is so well-mannered and behaved and the teachers only have positive things to say about him,” she said.
Chrysalis Academy Tokai CEO Lucille Meyer said: “At Colt, the ‘beneficiaries’ are simply an extension of the school’s family and this is something we have lost in our country. It has been proven time and time again that children grow best when they are surrounded by a ‘village’. I work with 18 to 25-year-old’s and sometimes wish I could have gotten to them while they were still young, to help shape and mould – just as Colt does.”
The school needs donations of groceries, clothes, stationery and toiletries. To assist contact the school on info@colt.org.za or 081 4700 723.
