Vumanhlamvu: Rising from the Ashes

28 Feb

Written By Editor

A few months ago terrible wildfires destroyed the ten homes of 21 Vumanhlamvu Primary School children which resulted in the Bambisanani Partnership hastily arranging an auction of sporting memorabilia that raised the necessary funds to help out.

Before Christmas we reported that rebuilding work had started by the families and local community members using the building materials that we were able to supply. William Vilakazi, Principal of Vumanhlamvu School, now informs us that all the building is complete and that the families have returned to their new homes. The additional learning resources that the partnership provided for the school are all in place and are already having an impact.

Mrs Mpungose from the local community said: ''Fire destroyed my two rondavels last year full of all my clothes and those of my four grandchildren. We were sleeping in a temporary shack the past few months. I am very happy that I am now the owner of a strong proper house. My grandchildren had nothing to attend school with; they are now happily attending school with new uniforms. As a single grandmother depending on a social grant to survive to rebuild a house was very difficult for me. I would like to thank all the people from UK who contributed to this housing project for their kindness and humanity. God bless you all. Thank you Bambisanani.”

Mrs Linda added: ''It was a blessing to have Mr Vilakazi in our school - through his friendship with UK people our community benefitted a lot. My husband passed away 15 years ago, we could not afford to build a brick house. Fire ruined our mud rondavels and all I owned. I live with my three grandchildren, it is difficult to raise them and put food on the table. I am so out of words to express how I feel for what the Principal and the Bambisanani Partnership have done for me and other members of community who were involved in the disastrous damage caused by fire to our homes. Our children are now able to go to school in a full uniform coming from a shelter well built with material from your project not forgetting to mention the food that you provided when we were helpless and in need. We are so grateful that you extended your hand to help others, May God bless you all. ''

Members of William’s staff are clearly delighted with new resources that our fund raising was able to provide:

“ “We would like to pass our sincere gratitude to the Bambisanani Partnership for sponsoring our school and for assisting our Learners with learning materials. For us teaching will be much easier with concrete materials. We would like to say ‘Big Up Bambisanani, Big Up’.””

— Miss Raisibe Kganyago (Departmental Head - Foundation Phase)

““I would like to thank Bambisanani for assisting our learners with sports and learning materials that they are enjoying both in class and outside of class.”
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— Miss N. T. Magwaza

““We wish to express our sincere gratitude for the support of learning and sports equipment we received. This will assist us a great deal towards achieving our vision for the school. We shall now achieve our objectives sooner than expected.””

— Mrs S. N. Shezi (Intermediate and Senior Phase – Departmental Head)

““We would like thank Bambisanani for your generous donation. We are thrilled to have your support. A healthy mind lives in a healthy body and through your donation we have been able to accomplish the goal of engaging our learners in sports activities and will continue using materials throughout the years.””

— Miss P.T. Shezi

It is difficult to believe that for around £5,000 we were able to provide all the building materials for the new homes, emergency food and blankets, replacement clothes and school uniforms plus the sports equipment and other educational resources. Such is the value of being able to work quickly and directly with members of the local community. This project has been a tremendous success at every level and our thanks must go to the local community building volunteers, William and his staff at Vumanhlamvu Primary School, Nick Phillips and Graham Chennells from Eshowe Rotary Club (who provide amazing support for most of our projects) and of course our wonderful sponsors and supporters. It’s always a great team effort when these things go well.

William also reports that his school, situated in one of the country’s poorest regions, is very much ‘on the up’ with increased enrolment in January from 540 to 582. Long may this continue. As Educator, Miss Kganyago might just say: “Big Up Vumanhlamvu, Big Up!"