|
This Michaelhouse Community Partnership Programme operates under the name of Ukubambisana Komphakathi (Community Interaction through Partnership). Its aim is to develop community-based, accountable and sustainable projects where Michaelhouse can share its expertise and facilities to benefit the local community. Through this partnership we strive to instil a social awareness and culture of service into each boy passing through our school.
History
Michaelhouse has always been a source of employment for the local community. To meet the needs of mothers in the area, Michaelhouse opened a crèche in the 1930's and later a library to enable local people to have access to books. A fund was established by the teachers to help educate disadvantaged children. Michaelhouse then provided land for the building of a clinic and a small school was later built in 1949. Over the years and with the help from private donors and the government, the facilities were expanded to become the Asithuthuke Combined School. When the need for Teacher Upgrade Programmes became clear these were introduced and run at Michaelhouse. Since then programmes for English oral skills, adult literacy, computer literacy and sports upgrade have been added. Health awareness programmes are run through the clinic. Michaelhouse continues to use its facilities for local educational and community social projects.
How is it funded?
In order to sustain these programmes, funds are continually raised by Michaelhouse from local and overseas donors.
Who runs these programmes?
All projects are co-ordinated by Michaelhouse under the direction of the Fundraiser and Co-Ordinator, Michelle Huntley, with the help of volunteers from the Michaelhouse community.
Adult education programmes
Adult Literacy is designed to improve the quality of the lives of those within our community who left school at an early age. As there is a great need for literacy among adults in our area, many of whom are totally illiterate; we run two separate courses, one in English and the other in Zulu. These two courses are computer based and the programme is designed by IEB ABET. The course is run by two Michaelhouse Academic Staff Members who have the required training to run this programme.
Teacher Upgrade is to help update teachers in our local community who have been inadequately trained in the past. It is designed to improve literacy and numeracy skills as well as offer courses on local crafts. These courses are run by Novalis at Michaelhouse and are held four times a year, at the end of January, April, July and September holidays.
ICDL Programme. Once a level of literacy is attained, practical computer skills are taught through the internationally recognised International Computer Driving Licence. Two courses are run; one with adults and one with children. All teaching aids are provided and the candidates are charged a nominal fee to write the examinations. The course is run by Michaelhouse staff.
eCitizen Computer Programme. A class of 7 teachers from Hlanganani School and Indezi School are busy with this course which is run over a period of 12 weeks. They are taught the basics about computers in order to advance to the ICDL Programme.
Health Management. Continual lectures on HIV/Aids, TB, and Cancer are organised through the school and the local Clinic to improve awareness in the community. This programme is overseen by Sister J McMillan from the Michaelhouse Sanatorium.
|