We are delighted to report that the new Science Centre at Bajabulile School in Mamelodi township near Pretoria is nearly complete. The roof is on! We now need your help to urgently address the other issues if we are to be ready for its opening in October. There are the utilities to connect, the science furniture to install and of course the resources to deliver an exciting programme.

You will be able to support any of the activities described by visiting the ‘just giving’ page. Please take a minute to help by putting this in your browser. Or join in some of the other ways to help at the bottom of this blog.

https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/john-baumber-2

So far we have raised and spent about £15 000 but I think we need another £10 000 to create the facility they need. You’ll be able to see the details of the project and the school at the end of this blog.

We are looking forward to welcoming Temba and Mmatlou next week -their Science and maths teachers. To make this a sustainable project we have to support them to deliver great Science Technology and Maths. We’ll be visiting two schools and looking at how we can choose the right resources to make this difference.

Bajubulile is a very special school drawing its school population from a wide range of families many living in the rapidly expanding informal shanty settlement. The population is being expanded by refugees from Zimbabwe and as with many schools the incidence of HIV is high. You would not know that in the school. Bajabulile means ‘happy place’ and so it is. It is a ‘can do’ inclusive space believing in what they can do to improve the life chances of 900 students aged 3 to 13. More details about the project are at the bottom of the blog.

SO THIS IS WHAT I AM GOING TO DO AND HOW YOU CAN HELP!

Someone once said to me that if you want to raise money do something that is a challenge and you are at risk of failing to complete. And if there is a risk that you might die all the better. I have no intention of dying let alone failing to complete these challenges but I have to admit to a certain sense of apprehension as I gird these pensioner bones to action.

THE COAST TO COAST CHALLENGE

Starting on 27th July I am walking 100 miles on the Coast to Coast Trail from Kirkby Stephen to Robin Hoods Bay. The longest day is about 23 miles but the toughest is probably the first day as I climb the Pennines to Nine Standards Rig. The details of the trail are at the end of the blog so if you fancy providing some company to a lonely walker you’d be very welcome.

I’m hoping for sponsorship for each mile.

INTERNATIONAL MARATHON/HALF MARATHON/10KM

I’ve never been a runner but 65 seems a good age to start. I’ve been in training for a few months largely to lose some of the weight, so by October I can do one of the above. However this will just be one part of the plan. I note that a number of my Swedish colleagues for instance are up for a wide range of long distance challenges. Temba, the Science teacher at Bajabulile is a marathon runner and my friend and colleague Pritpal Chandan has already signed up to walk from Cambridge to London. So the plan is that early in October, Kevin Holland a marathon runner of repute, will help coordinate a run wherever you are in the world to help raise money for the school. Yes of course there will be a T shirt! Details of how to sign up are at the bottom of the blog. Ir could attract a lot of runner and a lot of coverage.

THE LAUNCH

Margaret and I will be going out to South Africa for two weeks from 21st October. This includes English schools half term and I think the Swedish hostlov break. I know some of you have already committed to joining us. Thanks. But if you want to come and help by working in the school and helping us make a great launch we’d love you to join us. Of course the air fare is the big cost, but once there accommodation and travel is very cheap. And yes we’ll find time to enjoy the rich culture and landscape of the country (that means a short safari).

People who have been before have told me it has been a life-changing experience and in addition you will be making a life changing impact for these young people.

Nelson Mandela said that few of us can change the world but we can make a difference where we tread. Here’s your chance.

COAST TO COAST DETAILS

Programme:

27th July Arrive Kirkby Stephen and overnight  28th July Walk to Keld, 14.5 m  29th July Walk to Reeth, 12.5 m  30th July : Walk to Richmond, 14 m 31st July: Walk to Ingleby Cross, 23 m 1st August: Walk to Great Broughton, 12 m 2nd August: Walk to Glaisdale, 18.5 m 3rd August Walk to Robin Hood’s Bay, 19.5 m

INTERNATIONAL RUN

If you are interested in running for us in October please contact Kevin Holland by email. let him know what you might be able to do. ( kevin.holland@norfolk.gov.uk )

THE LAUCH

If you want to join us in the week of the launch in October just mail me and we’ll help guide you through dates, travel and accommodation. (jbaumber@aol.com)

THE PROJECT

Background to Mamelodi Township:

Mamelodi is situated on the north eastern outskirts of Pretoria and is a former black township with a population of about one million people. Some people live in small brick built houses but there are also huge informal settlements or squatter camps where people have built their own dwellings made out of corrugated iron or plastic sheets.

Mamelodi township has changed over the last few years and progress is being made but many pupils at the school still live in the area pictured above. There are small tin shacks stretching as far as the eye can see crammed together with little space between them and with only very basic facilities.

Some residents are moving to areas in the township where they can build more permanent homes, but as soon as a family moves out others take their place and the population is being swelled with families moving in from outlying rural areas. The informal settlement therefore continues to grow with the shacks covering the hillside way into the distance.

The housing problem is so great that it is proving impossible to keep up with demand. Apartheid was responsible for leaving the townships with a legacy of deficient education, extreme poverty, high unemployment and a whole range of socio-economic problems which will take years to eradicate.

But don’t think this is a depressed community. Everywhere is the sign of enterprise and people working hard to improve their lot for themselves and their family. This is a vibrant fast moving community.

 

When we were out there in February, we were joined by Nick and Celia Jones . Nick as principal of Twickenham Academy and has done much already to support the project. He is particularly looking to garner additional resources for the Science Centre be it technology or equipment. This is how Nick summed up the visit in February,

” Teaching the children is a wonderful and uplifting experience. They are so keen and eager to learn and the enthusiasm with which they involve themselves in practical science and technology activities has to be seen to be believed. Despite the fact that many of them come from homes in such a poor setting they are beautifully presented in their red uniform.

The work of their teachers is positively heroic; they teach large groups in very small classrooms using little other than basic resources, yet they have created a vibrant and caring school community. There is a very special feel to the school; one visit would make you want to help! Having taught just a couple of lessons in the school it is clear that there are many gifted scientists amongst the pupils whose talents may be lost if we don’t provide them with the resources to inspire them to fulfil their ambitions and make progress with their learning.”

If you have ideas for other resources then don’t hesitate to contact Nick.  (nick@imagineeducation.net )He has crafted the most amazing  bespoke, handmade piece of furniture (pictured right), valued at one thousand five hundred pounds. that has been donated. Offers for the desk will be considered and all the proceeds of the sale of this will be donated to the project.

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