The Waterberg Trust sponsors a school nurse in the town of Vaalwater in the Waterberg who is helping learners to fulfill their potential.
Sister Grace interacts with pupils both individually and in class. “The aim is to create a good working relationship. I encourage learners to tend the school vegetable gardens, which helps the many who come to school hungry. I will continue to raise awareness on teenage pregnancy, sexual health and provide advice on contraception.”
SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED BY The Waterberg Trust:
- Provision of SCHOOL UNIFORMS for needy learners
- PRIZE GIVING to encourage those who perform well
- Provision of ECO-SANITARY PADS for all schoolgirls
- 4 x SCHOOL VEGETABLE GARDENS tended by pupils kindly sponsored by Environmental Impact Management Services who supply seedlings, shade netting, manure and tools
If you are able to help, even in a small way, TWT has a Justigiving page which can receive donations in eight different currencies and collect UK Gift Aid.
CHALLENGES:
- Lack of learner support from parents
- Domestic violence in homes
- Teachers relocating to other schools
- Gender based violence in schools
- Some schools have been without school buses
- Numbers of pupils increase as foreign nationals arrive in the community
- We are still encountering teenage pregnancy, which takes girls out of school
1,153 pupils visited the school nurse in 2024:
Medical conditions – 69 (asthma, depression, epilepsy, chronic conjunctivitis, nasal bleeding)
Minor ailments – 135 (allergic rash, sports injury, headaches, skin rashes, common colds and abdominal discomfort)
Dental infections – 23 (Tooth decay, gingivitis, dental abscess, misaligned teeth)
Donated sanitary pads – 1000 x disposable pads were distributed to schoolgirls
Referred for contraceptives – 235 x depo injections every 2 months
Teenage Pregnancy – 15 (6 at Meetsetshehla Secondary School & 9 at Leseding High School)
Counseling – 180 (for HIV adherence, prevention of STIs, smoking, bullying , teenage mothers)
Social Problems – 496 (orphaned learners, dysfunctional families with alcohol abuse)
Classroom sessions – 1,200 grade 9 & 10 learners were reached with classes on health education, hygiene, types of addiction, bullying, and career guidance.
FUTURE PLANS: Sister Grace says, “Motlakamothala High School, 15km down the road to Modimolle, have asked me to visit twice a month.” Many of their 385 learners come from Vaalwater.
School Statistics for learners enrolled 2024 & 2025: Total number of learners in Vaalwater schools visited = 4,624 children
| ENROLLMENT 2024 | CURRENT LEARNERS 2025 |
| Meetsetshehla Secondary School = 551 Leseding High School = 1240 Mahlasedi Primary School = 1410 Mokolo Primary School = 1240 | Meetsetshehla Secondary School = 596 Leseding High School = 1393 Mahlasedi Primary School = 1406 Mokolo Primary School = 1229 |
ACHIEVEMENTS: Schools continued well without interruptions
- More teachers have been hired to fill vacant posts
- Grade 9 & 10 learners at Leseding High School received learning tablets loaded with data
- Teachers dedicated time for extra classes during the week and on weekends to empower learners with more knowledge and enable them to catch up
- Girls receive free sanitary pads to ensure they do not miss classes
- Reduced numbers of teenage pregnancies due to better access to contraception
- Matric results for 2024 were 28% better than in 2023. Many learners obtained good results and have been offered places in further education: Leseding High School: 91% Matric pass rate, Meetsetshehla High School: 86.1% pass rate, Mohtlakamotala High School: 90.5% Matric pass rate
The Waterberg Trust is sponsoring outstanding students through further education. If you are able to help, email us: twt@thetrustpartnership.com
The Waterberg Trust,
The Trust Partnership, 6 Trull Farm Buildings,
Tetbury, Gloucestershire
GL8 8SQ United Kingdom
The Waterberg Trust 