About Christian David Moravian Primary School

CDMPS is located in the Cape Town suburb of Steenberg and serves as a primary place of education for over 300 children in Grades 1-7 from several impoverished surrounding townships. For those who are unfamiliar with the concept of a township, Wikipedia provided one of the best explanations as it pertains to this situation: "[a township] usually refers to the (often underdeveloped) urban living areas that, from the late 19th century until the end of Apartheid, were reserved for non-whites (black Africans, Coloureds and Indians)." These children are oftentimes malnourished and come from extremely difficult home lives; gang violence and drug and alcohol abuse are rife throughout the townships, and these factors oftentimes have a negative impact on the quality of life for the children at home. THUS, Christian David is a kind of refuge and desirable learning environment for the children, who are still so bright and energetic despite their home circumstances. Indeed, after only one day spent at the school, the smiles and enthusiasm that emit from the children will melt any visitor's heart. 

What We Need:

The goal of this campaign is to raise as much as possible to put toward the construction of a library at Christian David. There is a room available and set aside for the library in the school building, and this will be the FIRST library the school has had in it's 76-year history!!

   - building materials (boards, nails, hammers, etc.)

   - labor (although part of this will be done by Dreams to Reality volunteers  

      at the school)

   - books (dictionaries, thesauruses, picture books, beginning reader books,

      and more advanced level reading materials); also, it is worth noting that

      books will be purchased both in Afrikaans (the main language of           

      instruction at the school) and English

In addition... Internet Access for Classrooms!

Christian David recently recieved a donation of 12 laptops from a two-time volunteer, and these are the first computers most of the children have ever used. The school currently has internet access in the office, but they are striving to provide Internet connectivity to all the classrooms. This would greatly assisst in the lessons that teachers present since they would be able to show video clips, diagrams, text passages, and many other resources found on the Internet to their students. Also, we are striving to begin computer literacy classes with the students.

    THUS, donations will also go towards purchasing wireless routers, ethernet cables, and modems.

The Impact

Can you imagine never having access to a library growing up? For most students at Christian David Moravian Primary School, that is the case- BUT YOU CAN HELP CHANGE THAT! Donations of any amount will assist in the creation of this momentous library, and you do not even have to leave the comfort of your own home to make and exceedingly positive change in the lives of over 300 kids, not to mention the many that will attend the school in the future.

 

This library is destined to be a beacon of education and excitement that will ultimately improve the quality of these children's education and their future potential- knowledge is power, and books provide knowledge. In addition, reading sparks creativity with intruiguing stories and prompts deeper thought via plot lines and dynamic characters. English fluency is especially important for the job market in the children's future, so we are particularly excited to work on improving English literacy with exciting and educational English books in the library.

 

Over the past several years, I have encountered so many people who have told me "I just wish I was able to help, but I don't know how or have the time or......." Indeed, you do no have to travel all the way to a place like South Africa to change lives- you can do it right now!

Other Ways You Can Help

Aside from monetary donations, you can help Christian David by:

 

   - donating English learning books (for Grades 1-5, reading and writing)

      and beginner reading books

   - spreading the word of this project to friends and family to donate

   - keeping these children in your thoughts and prayers