Teach with Africa

In the following audio clip, Connie C. Kim of KCBS FM radio talked with Marjorie Schlenoff, founder of Teach with Africa, about the organization’s efforts to help break down social and economic barriers and to improve the education system in South Africa.

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And shortly following was this news coverage by KGO-TV, San Francisco, of the LEAP teachers-in-training and their three-week tour of schools in Northern California.

See this photo and brief mention on Changemakers.com of Teach with Africa leaders Margie, Amy and Sarah as they plan the 2010 fundraising event.

Students at LEAP 3

I sat in on a Sesotho Grade 10 language class at LEAP 3…the students were great tutors, instructing me in the (very) basics: hello, hi, how are you, I’m fine. “Dumela” they would say…”Age (Ah-gay)” I would reply. They made me do this little “greeting” routine…”dumela…age…okae…ke teng” with each of them, collapsing into giggles when I forgot the next line or when my pronunciation destroyed any meaning whatsoever. Finally I realized that they were running outside the class to bring in more students to “quiz” me, which explained why the line by my desk was getting longer and longer. They had just had their final the day before — I decided making a fool of myself in front of the entire Grade 10 class was the least I could do to let them blow off some steam. And did I mention that I loved every minute of it?

by Amy Schoew, Exec Dir Teach with Africa

Cafe COCOMO in San Francisco (voted 3rd best Salsa Club in the country!) has been kind enough to donate 1/3 of its door proceeds to Teach with Africa, on the evening of December 5th.

How to participate:  Click the link below and print out the flier.  Bring it with you to Cafe COCOMO (address on the flier) on December 5th at 7pm.  1/3 of your door cover will be donated to Teach with Africa.  It’s as easy as that.

We hope to see you there!

http://teachwithafrica.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/flierfordanceevent.pdf

By Amy Schoew, upon returning from S. Africa.

View across Alexandra from the construction site of the Nelson Mandela Museum

I visited Johannesburg for the first time, and was amazed at the incredible energy pulsing through this city. As I stood at the construction site of the Nelson Mandela museum on the corner of 7th Ave. and Richard Bayoli St. in the township of Alexandra, I looked out across the  rooftops of the homes of many of our LEAP 3 students. I had this realization, a “knowing,” that the people I am meeting during these days will have a profound impact on all of our lives. The work of transformation — educational, societal, personal — feels like slogging through mud, and sometimes it seems impassable. But other times, it feels otherworldly — full of air and light and joy, rising above. Hard, hard work — by the students, the faculty, the administration, the partners. But the successes are sweet. And so worth it.

The tentative date for the 2010 program is from mid-June through mid-August, 2010. The program will serve LEAP Schools in both Cape Town and Johannesburg. Read more »

In this short video, Teach with Africa Executive Director Amy Schoew talks about the impacts of apartheid on the educational system in South Africa.

John Gilmour, Director of the LEAP Science and Maths Schools, replies:

“This is a very succinct and accurate description of the South African education crisis. Fewer than 20% of South African teachers are fully qualified for the profession. We value the Teach With Africa partnership enormously and believe that we need to do everything possible to take this relationship to scale to help to address the ongoing crisis in our country.”

Teach with Africa 2009 Fellow, Jennifer Woodall, tells the story of Randell.  (Note:  The LEAP Schools is Teach with Africa’s partner in South Africa)

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“I connected with a young man in Grade 9 and I really want to tell you his story.

I met Randell on his first day of my week-long ‘Art and Math’ workshop.  As we were doing the art projects we talked for about two hours–well, he really talk for the two hours.  He told me about how much he loves art, and that they do not always offer it and how he wished they did at LEAP 2 (LEAP 2, opened in January 2007, serves the communities of Gugulethu and Crossroads).  He told me how he loves to draw and draws almost every night.  He asked if it was okay if he came the next day and showed me his artwork.

To be truthful, I really thought that he would forget, but there was Randell the next day with his artwork in hand to show me.  As he gave me the artwork, he told me that he does not show his work to many people. A tear formed in my eye at that moment.  I looked at his work and we discussed each cartoon character he drew, and why he picked them and then it was time to go. We stood up and he gave me this HUGE hug…boys in Grade 9 don’t hug, well at least the ones I know. He told that he would see me on Monday.

Monday morning during the school-wide community meeting at LEAP, this young man stands up and starts talking about the workshops the previous week. It was Randell, and he let his fellow students know how much he enjoyed the workshops, especially art, and the students who chose not to come to workshop really missed out.  Randell found me that morning and said “Thank you.”

Randell: Now a top Grade 9 student at LEAP

On Tuesday morning, I was paired up with a grade 9 class and Randell was a student in class and I asked him if it would be okay if I shadowed him for the day. He told me it was his pleasure to be my guide.  I was honored to be able to spend the day with him, watching him learn and be an active learner in all his classes.

Wednesday, I met Eric, the math teacher, and I made a comment about how much I really have enjoyed my time with Randell and Eric told me this story about him:

Randell was not accepted to LEAP 2 at first, because he did not pass the entrance exam, not once but twice.  Randell did not accept that answer — he did not accept, not being accepted.  He came to LEAP 2 and told, or rather explained to the principal why he was a perfect LEAP 2 student.  He pleaded with the principal for hours, explaining why he needed to be at LEAP and why he deserved to be at LEAP. Randell took the entrance exam for a third time and barely passed it.

Randell is now one of the TOP grade 9 students at LEAP 2 and one the nicest gentlemen that you will ever meet–you can ask any of his teachers at LEAP.  I feel so lucky to have met Randell, and I know that meeting him has changed my life. I want to thank Teach with Africa for allowing me to have this experience. Randell is the kid that gets you out of bed in the morning because you want to have teachable moments with him.  Randell, to me, is LEAP! I cannot wait to hear about all the great things Randell is going to do with LEAP and more importantly what LEAP is going to do for Randell.”

Jennifer with her students

Meet our marvelous students on February 3, 2010!

Please join us in San Francisco on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 when Teach with Africa will hold its third annual fundraising benefit at the St. Regis hotel in San Francisco.  Last year, we raised more than $100,000 at the event, which will once again feature great entertainment, an elaborate buffet by the St. Regis, and a silent auction featuring some incredible items (stays at South African safari lodges, vacations, dinners at great restaurants, home cooking classes, spa and salon services and many many more!)

Exciting Evening Program with the LEAP School Students and Faculty
Again this year, we are delighted John Gilmour, founder and director of the LEAP Schools, will bring a group of LEAP School students and faculty who will be a part of our evening program celebrating our international partnership and collaboration.

Please Join Us on February 3!
It will be wonderful to have you join us at the benefit — so mark you calendars and stay tuned for more details coming soon.

Volunteer Opportunities
We need your help…if you are interested in helping with the event, or to make a donation to our auction or to the event, please contact Amy Schoew, Executive Director, at amy@teachwithafrica.org.

Many thanks for your continued support for Teach with Africa.