About Bhevu High School

Bhevu High School: Ladysmith KZN

I am very proud to tell you about Bhevu High School Ladysmith, KZN, South Africa. Bhevu is proof that hard work and perseverance can overcome all pdds. Under the guidence of the principal, Gugu Ntshangase, the school has grown from literally learners sitting on the rocks with lap desks, to what it is now. She and her team of dedicated teachers provide a stable environment where teaching and learning continues even under very severe conditions. Her learners are dedicated, well-behaved young poeple who appriciate what thier teachers do for them.

Here is a bit history of the school:

Late in 2008, Gugu was told that a new high school would be opening in the rural area of Roosboom, just outside Ladysmith. She was shocked to hear that there were would be no school buildings by the time the learners arrived in January 2009. The new year began with learners sitting in the sun (there are very few trees and none near the site of hte schhol) using lap desks. There were a total of 64 learnes in the first grade 8 class.

A few months into the term, Gugu managed to persuad a local church to allow the leaners to use their building for teaching and learnign purposes. That was the only permanent structure available to the learners. A local copmpany donated some desks and chairs and the learners began a difficult year cramped 4 to a desk in a very old, dilapidated building which leaks in the rain and allows the cold air in during winter. There is no available electricity or water.

2010 saw an increase in the number of the learners and the addition of a grade 9 class. It was only half way through this year that the Department gave the school two prefabricated temporarl classrooms which were only for teaching and learning late in the year. Desks and chairs received by the school had to be housed in the church. One permanent toilet serves the children and staff, as the other 5 portable toilets are some distance from the school in the neighbour's yard.

Various local companies and churches have assisted where they can, providing everything from land and canvas tents which are used as classrooms, to blankets and food for the children. In 2011, there were 170 Grade 8 learners, 159 Grade 9s & 50 Grade 10 learners. There were two grade 8 "classrooms" (the church with 70 learners and one prefab class with 100 learners); 3 grade 9 "classrooms" (the three canvas tents which were donated each have about 53 learners in, three and four to a desk!) and the other prefab houses all 50 Grade 10 learners.

In December 2011 the Department of Education built three permanent classrooms which are used by the grade 11 learners in 2012. The school has also acquired a very big water tank which holds all the water that is needed at school. It is very difficult to get water to refill the tanks. The Department also put a wire fence around the school property. The school now has a total of 520 learners in total!

The ground around the school is not safe or conductive to sport other activities (there are many ditches and holes and there are muddy areas on an uneven slope). The toilets are kept apart from the school so when learners have to use them lose lots of teaching learning time because they have to walk far. All the school administration is done from back of the teacher's cars (those who have them) & the principal's office is a desk in the shade of the cars, outside! The notes and other school admin are put in a bookshelf at the back of the church.

The school is in pesperate need of text books, library books, a photocopier for all their notes and exams; desks chairs,science equipment ,sporting equipment etc. All things many schools in South Africa take for grantec. They also need a safe place to keep these treasures.

The Staff and children in this school need to know that people out there care and are willing to help. Those learners are the future of this country and if they see adults caring, helping, they will learn to do the same. We need to give them a chance in life. The community is an extremly poor one and alomost all learners are part of the feeding scheme at the school (previously run by a church in town before the Government reinstituted a high school feeding programme). How will these children ever get the chance to feed themselves if their education is so lacking? They are really hard working children and only need a kick start to achieve. Their parents and the commmunity in general (both business/churches in town and individuals in the area) are extremly supportive of the principal and all her efforts. They know what this school can mean to their children and they are willing to do whatever it takes. They even asked local businesses for their packing crates in order to build more classrooms for the children. They are willing to go work themselves. Let us help them too! The financial resources of the school are very limited as allocations from the department are based on the previous years' learner number. With the school growing an extra grade each year this simply not good enough. Other money (if parents can pay at all)! comes from the poor famillies in the poverty stricken area. Business has been a great help but in the small town of Ladysmith there is only so much that can be done.

Below are some photos of the school and thier staff. It will hopefully give you an idea of how special thes children are and how deserving they are of a very bit of help they can get!