The Waterberg Trust continues to reach out to schools and attend to learners needs. Many learners struggle to read and spell properly when enrolled in High School. Sister Grace is drafting a roster for primary schools to help pupils improve their reading before reaching secondary school. She referred 145 teenagers to the local Government Clinic to help reduce unplanned pregnancy and checks up on teenage mums and supports those who need adherence monitoring – although roads are in bad state after the rains. 

Sister Grace says, “I reached out to all the schools to educate pupils about alcohol & substance abuse, bullying, puberty & menstrual issues and general hygiene. These were sessions were planned with teachers to meet each class separately on an allocated schedule.”

Learners consulted individually: 355

Pregnant – 10 (4 at Meetsetshehla & 6 at Leseding High School)

Social Issues – 45 (poor living environment, poverty, dysfunctional families, and orphans)

Learning problems – 65 (Those struggling to meet requirements due to visual impairment or chronic conditions who are repeating same grade several times.)

Counseling – 35 (Provided for those taking ARV’s, anti-epileptics, anti-depressants or suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, severe dysmenorrhea, sexual abuse or bereavement.)

Medical Issues – 45 (Asthma, HIV, epilepsy, depression/anxiety, otitis media, dental infection, chronic tropical ulcers and common skin allergies.) All these conditions were seen at different schools.

Obesity – 10 (were referred to see the dietician. They are monitored every 2 weeks.)

If you would like to support Sister Grace’s amazing work, TWT can accept donations on Justgiving in eight different currencies

PROGRESS:

The primary school has since merged with Mokolo Primary School with additional container classrooms provided. The total number of learners merged was 240 to Mokolo School which now has a total of 1,316 children.

• Matric results for 2022 came out. Many did well and passed. Those who failed have been given an opportunity to repeat or/and be assisted to rewrite their final exams.
• Learners are kept at school longer to attend extra classes.
• The circuit office for Vaalwater introduced a prize giving initiative to honor and award learners who performed well.  Teachers and schools with a high percentage pass rate (this includes both Primary & High Schools) were also recognized.
• Prizes given were certificates, trophies. Laptop computers were given to those who performed best.
• New teachers are filling vacant posts.
•  Schools conducted inter-school athletics at District level and received awards
• Grade 12’s attended a career guidance camp.
• Some school leavers were given in internships in farming & poultry production. Others have been placed in surrounding schools to assist teachers and learners. They get a monthly stipend. Contracts run from 8 to 12 months.
• A snake handling course was held.

WE DONATED 300 WASHABLE ECO-SANITARY PADS TO NEWLY ENROLLED GRADE 8s FROM LESEDING AND MEETSETHSEHLA HIGH SCHOOLS. THE DONATION WILL HELP KEEP GIRLS AT SCHOOL WITHOUT MISSING CLASSES DUE TO MENSTRUAL ISSUES. MANY COME FROM POOR FAMILY BACKGROUNDS AND CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY SANITARY PADS.

THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL DONATION

We will need more next year! If you are able to make a donation, however small, you can find our details on the TWT Donate page here

CHALLENGES:

• Protests by the community due to lack of transport for learners to school. Many learners had to miss classes for 3 weeks
• Overcrowding of learners due to merging of a primary school which was moved from privately owned land.
• Inadequate toilets to accommodate the high numbers of learners.
• Shortage of staff in surrounding farm schools .
• Poor communication channels between schools and stakeholders.
• Undisciplined learners who come to school whenever it suits them.

MATRIC RESULTS FOR 2022:

Leseding High School = 97% Now the leading School in the Vaalwater Circuit

Mohlakamotala High School = 79.7%

Meetsetshehla High School = 60.2%

HEALTH EDUCATION:

Schools of the Waterberg reopened on the 11^th January 2023. Some were not ready due to various challenges: there were no busses to transport learners to school, toilets were inadequate and there was a closure of a primary school located on privately owned land.