Teacher links communities miles apart

A local teacher has been the bridge for a group of parents at Auburn House Montessori School in Cape Town to reach out to the children at Holy Cross School here in Makhanda. The Cape Town parents recently donated more than 50 books for 15 children in Grade 5 to take home and enjoy. For many of them, it was the first time they’d owned a book.

Sibulele Magini, a Grade 4 and 5 mathematics, history and English teacher, started teaching at Holy Cross at the beginning of the year.

Magini, who grew up in Zwide, in Port Elizabeth, taught for three years at the well resourced Cape Town school and developed good relationships with the parents.

They were very supportive of his move to Holy Cross in Makhanda and when he asked them each to donate one reading book, namely Journey to Jo’burg by Beverley Naidoo, for each of the 15 school children in his Grade 5 class, they didn’t hesitate.

One parent offered to buy all of the reading books, the next offered to buy atlases, others dictionaries, instamaths and story books, until all of the parents had banded together to donate R3000 in learning materials.

Magini loved the Cape Town school but was inspired to be teaching at a school where he would be able to make a more impactful contribution.

“My whole reason for going into teaching was to make a difference,” Magini said. “I felt the kids there had everything, while the kids here need someone to see them for who they are, lift them up and give them that hope.”

The children were thrilled when the boxes of books arrived.

“I’ve never received a gift before,” said one child.

Another, in disbelief, asked, “Is this for me?”

Magini says it’s those kinds of moments that motivate him.

Holy Cross School is an independent school that accommodates 75 learners from Grade R to Grade 5.

Around 8km west of Makhanda on the Highlands road, it was built as a result of a partnership between two chapters of the Order of the Holy Cross and is kept afloat by donations and funding from all over the world, mainly from the organisation Love Must Act, the Order of the Holy Cross and the generosity of others.

Principal Karola Mcconnachie says the learners have bursaries of at least 90%. Fee-paying parents contribute only 10% of the school fees, while other parents pay according to what they are able

Photo: Nasi Hako to afford. For this reason, the school is heavily reliant on donations.

“That’s what makes this gift so amazing,” she said.

Magini’s next move is to obtain ipads for his learners so they enjoy every education opportunity, regardless of their financial backgrounds.

While the school is independent, Magini and Mcconnachie emphasise that Holy Cross School is not a wealthy private school.

They would be grateful for any contribution – from volunteering time teaching children new artistic talents, all the way to monetary donations.