Transport for Gate 7 learners

After witnessing a group of school kids less than ten years old who live in the refugee marquee manage attending school, NCC has begun to explore options for support. 

Learners from this community must walk one hour to school and another hour back home at the end of the day. The roads are busy and notorious for reckless drivers.  Also, the learners must pass through several areas that have become notorious for gang fighting and gun violence. 

We noted their parents’ plight and the school principal’s concern about whether the children will make it or return to school safe. Ntirhisano Community Centre (NCC) initiated two crowdfunding campaigns on behalf of parents in the area, but both were unsuccessful. However, in the first campaign grandparents to one of the NCC members pledged 500 Euros (R8 000). With the donation Ntirhisano was able to organise a school bus for the refugee school children. 

We paid the school bus R1200 weekly for ten school kids. 

The donation only lasted seven weeks. The parents and kids were very relieved but only for a very short period. 

Some of the refugee parents and siblings inside Ntirhisano Community Centre (NCC), Salt River, Cape Town. Monday, October 13, 2022.

“We are some of the refugee parents who are living at the temporary facilities set up to house our families since the coronavirus first appeared in South Africa in early 2020.”

The parents say they were assigned to NCC because they had no other options. Members of Ntirhisano Community Centre (NCC) assisted in finding schools for children earlier this year.

“NCC have since been involved in learning activities with our children, which we greatly appreciated. They also help us start a vegetable garden and raise funds for our children's school transportation. Collaborating with NCC members has shown us the importance of developing mutual solidarity”.

On their first day taking a school bus to school, refugee school kids wait for the school bus at 18 Avenue in Kensington, Cape Town on Monday, September 12, 2022.