Khayelitsha Community Upliftment Initiative

By Carl Davids

Khayelitsha is a well-known township based in the Western Cape. It has a population of over 2.4 million people and is ever growing. There are 52 schools in the area with the majority of the schools being under funded and resources are limited. CoolPlay operates at 4 of the 52 schools, Champions are recruited from within the community and trained to provide learners with a consistent caring adult, access to a safe space and through the CoolPlay Way develop resilience and the necessary skills to cope with life’s challenges. Ultimately resulting in the learners becoming positive agents of change within their communities – much like the Champions they learn from…

The Khayelitsha Champions embarked on a mission in October this year, spear headed by two CoolPlay Champions – Mzie and Thembani. Their aim was to uplift the communities that they are working in and where their families also live. When asked what is the best way to uplift your community, their answer was simple. “Begin where foundations are set for life, and that is within the schools.“

The Champions took it upon themselves to paint the netball court lines and the rugby fields at Ikhwezi Primary School in preparation for the CoolPlay sporting festivals that took place on the 19th and 26th of October. These festivals were attended by 400 learners from the Khayelitsha and Sarepta communities. It was an historic occasion, with it being the first time in CoolPlay’s history that a school from Sarepta had travelled to Khayelitsha to play in a sporting festival – this is noteworthy due to the very different backgrounds associated with these two places. The learners thoroughly enjoyed themselves and won’t forget the excitement of GAME DAY in a hurry.

Champion Thembani had also arranged the painting of the rugby field lines at Eluxolweni Primary school in Khayelitsha earlier this year. Here he meets his two rugby squads, twice a week and has conversations that develop the young learners’ social and emotional skills whilst they have fun on the sports field.

 

The schools need sponsorship to further uplift the facilitates and provide the best possible experience for the learners. All potential funders are invited to come on board as the schools are currently needing assistance in levelling rugby fields, laying of water pipes and sprinklers (there is already a sustainable water source in place), rugby poles and the installation, fertilizer, grass seeds or roll on lawn.

Lets all hear the call and assist these CoolPlay Champions in Khayelitsha continue to uplift their communities, one small step, one little paint brush stroke, one positive idea, leads to a greater good for all. One4All Community Schools Upliftment Project.

Skills

Posted on

November 17, 2022