A safe education haven

FOUNDERS of the Jorvan Community Outreach student centre, Brian and Melanie Vandayar, remain committed to sustaining a safe educational space for children in Mitchells Plain.

This formed part of the “Dare To Stand Out” programme that started at Cedar High School in Rocklands in 2011. In 2013 Melanie won a national teacher’s competition and put the funds into the centre.

The safety of children has become a serious concern as a result of cases of missing children in the Western Cape.

This centre provides a safe haven for pupils. “These are peoples’ children we are looking after. The same safety I give to my child, I want to give to these children,” she said.

Melanie had the idea, after she helped pupils at her home, to assist single mothers with their children’s education. “We realised that these children need a space for learning as their parents aren’t home during the day because they have to work.”

Melanie said that R50 was charged weekly at the centre, but not all families could afford the fee.

The centre is four houses away from their home and has been welcomed by neighbours in the area, Melanie said.

Nikita Lottering, 16, has lived at the centre for three years and visits her family on weekends. She said the experience of learning and living with six other girls had been inspiring.

“The student centre has moulded us to be best individuals we can be. We build each other up. We are always there for each other. Living in the township in Mitchells Plain there is gangsterism and sometimes gunshots. Living in the student centre provides comfort, both physically and emotionally,” Lottering said.

Brian said the education programme was structured so learners could mentor one another.

“It was Melanie, myself and my daughter initially. Now the students are helping each other through mentoring to create, over time, peer-tutoring, which has been working very well.”