Newcastle College joins the Bambisanani Partnership with pioneering work in South Africa
Students and staff from Newcastle College have recently returned from their first visit to South Africa as part of the Bambisanani Partnership.
The team of 13 was made up of 3 staff; Barry Rizza, Brogan O’Connor, Rebecca Welch and 10 students; Charlotte Stewart, Chloe Maddison, Faith Sita, Josh Young, Kieran Richardson, Meghan Haynes, Olivia Forster, Sam Oumaouche, Shalia Bond and Taylor Matthews embarked on their 30-hour journey to Eshowe, South Africa where they spent 3 weeks volunteering in rural KwaZulu-Natal. The team used the power of sport to positively impact their own lives and those of the children in the schools and orphanages they would work in partnership with.
Working at three schools; Matholamnyama Secondary School, Ngqamzana Primary School, Vumanhlamvu Primary School and the Zulufadder Doremi Daycare Centre for orphans and vulnerable children, the group worked with children aged 2-13, hosting sports and leadership sessions while supporting other projects, such as painting the Daycare Centre. These additional developments were made possible by joint funding from Zulufadder and the Newcastle College Goggins Challenge fundraiser earlier in the year.
Working in partnership with local schools and organisations the group delivered a series of sports and sports leadership programmes to more than 700 South African students. A major aim of the visit was to introduce new schools to the partnership and extend the work of the charity in one of the most challenging and deprived areas of KwaZulu-Natal. The sessions enabled students from both the UK and South Africa to develop their skills across leadership, communication, team building and confidence.
The visit clearly made a significant impact on the Newcastle students:
““Where to start! This was the most eye opening, life changing, surreal experience that made every single individual look at life back in the UK a little differently. The visit to Ngqamzana School was one of the best days of my life.””
““It was an emotional experience for everyone, certainly an eye opener for us, all in all the best experience that I have had so far in my life journey.””
““This trip has definitely opened my eyes.””
““My time in South Africa was nothing short of amazing. From the moment we arrived in the country I felt at home. It definitely taught me a few lessons, one is to always believe in yourself and to give everything your best shot””
Level 4 Business student, Shalia Bond, said that the highlight of the visit for her was reading out letters that Newcastle College students had written to the children at the primary school. She said: “Newcastle College students wrote some amazing letters to the children here and we had the opportunity to read them to them. The children loved it, and they wrote some beautiful letters back. I cannot wait for the students here to read them!”
A particularly powerful and poignant moment for the entire group was when a 10-year-old primary school learner read part of his letter out: “When I grow up, I want to be a social worker, I want to help people, I don’t want to see children be in crime, I want my mum and dad to be proud of me.”
Rebecca Welch, English Teacher at Newcastle College, and staff member on the visit commented “It was an honour and a privilege to meet and work with the children and staff we visited in schools across South Africa. The enthusiasm they possessed daily was both infectious and inspirational. I feel so lucky to have been a small part of such an eye opening, heart-warming and life-changing experience.”
Mr Ngcobo, a Maths teacher at Ngqamzana Primary School also spoke very highly of the new partnership commenting “I have never lived a day thinking that one day I will be so happy like I am now. You have taught us a lot; we have learned so much together. This is surely the start of something incredibly special.”
The educational visit was made possible through the Turing Scheme fund. Providing international opportunities to work and study around the world, the Turing Scheme gives students the chance to interact with new cultures, learn different languages, and form lifelong connections with people across the globe as part of their college programme. This was the first time Newcastle College students had travelled outside of Europe as part of this scheme.
The visit to South Africa was organised by Brogan O’Connor, Enrichment and Development Manager at the college and Trustee of the Bambisanani Partnership, who said “As a college we are honoured to be a part of the multi-award winning Bambisanani Partnership. I was fortunate to visit South Africa as a student with St. Mary’s School and the Bambisanani Partnership in the summer of 2012 so I know first-hand the benefit our students will gain from being a part of the partnership. The encounters between the students were remarkable and will no doubt make a lasting impact. The visit was more successful than I could have ever imagined, and I cannot wait to continue to build on the success of these foundations in the years to come. The Bambisanani Partnership is all about creating collaborative learning opportunities for young people in both countries; we are absolutely committed to this.”
David Geldart, CEO and Founder of the partnership said, “The staff and students of Newcastle College deserve enormous credit for extending the reach of the Bambisanani Partnership in South Africa. They have worked closely with local communities to engage new schools in our work using the power of sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership. Introducing the partnership to Newcastle College and planning such a visit is a phenomenal task and responsibility. I am immensely proud of Brogan who has made all this happen through her own outstanding leadership and commitment to global education. The inaugural visit has been a remarkable success; the feedback from South Africa has been exceptional. Newcastle College is helping to pioneer learning opportunities for students in both countries in incredibly challenging circumstances, this is real education that truly develops young people and makes the world a better place. Well done, Newcastle College and welcome to the Bambisanani team!”
Published: 01/09/2023
