Adults living in communities around the Kouga Wind Farm who did not matriculate have been given a second chance, thanks to the Kouga Wind Farm Community Development Trust in collaboration with Rehoboth Training Solutions.
It entails a programme that started in mid-2019 to enable adults who did not matriculate to obtain an Amended Senior Certificate (ASC). Tutors (often retired teachers) work hard to enable these students to write three subjects at a time, over two years.
Nicole Krotz is in her second year of the programme, currently writing Mathematical Literacy, Religious Studies and Geography. She says,
“The classes are wonderful and the tutors go the extra mile to help us.”
She wants to study teaching and theology at NMU. “I am more determined now … I have a second chance at making a success of my life, so I have to work harder.”
First year-student Lizelle Apools is studying English, Afrikaans and Religious Studies. She says, “The classes are great. We work together and the tutors do their best for us to succeed.” Lizelle has her heart set on working in loss prevention once she matriculates and advises current Grade 12 students to “put in as much as you can – you will see better results than you can imagine.”
“Before I came here, I was blank; not knowing how I could do better,”
says Amandu Qubu, another first-year student. She is writing Mathematics, Life Sciences and English with her goal being one day to work as a nurse. She believes firmly, “Matric can open the door for you to succeed.”
Some students find balancing work and studying to be quite difficult. Thabisa Mketsi has found this to be so, but is grateful to the tutors “for helping me and for their patience.” Currently writing Mathematical Literacy, English and Life Sciences, Thabisa wants to become a doctor one day and encourages current matriculants to “finish their studies.”
Leonoré Botha is grateful that transport is provided. Working part-time, she has found it relatively easy to fit in the required Monday to Thursday classes. Her subjects are History, Business Studies and Religious Studies, and she dreams to become a professional pastry chef. She is achieving better academically:
“At school I was too busy doing my own stuff. Now I value the time and effort I put in and I know why I am doing it.”
Vanessa Mathee, the new project manager, has a strong background in banking, marketing, leadership and learning development. She is “passionate about adult learning and making a difference in the community.” Vanessa says that the students, some of them parents who still work to care for their families, have shown her how “it is possible to refocus with encouragement and motivation and support.”
Centre manager, Pastor Angie Baartman is positive about the future of this programme. Despite the difficulties of Covid, not one of the 2020 cohort dropped out. “Much of this is due to the continued support from Kouga Wind Farm Community Development Trust, whose grant enables the students to have transport, data, tutors and access to the local high schools.” The new 2021 group starts in June, with 30 sponsored students and 11 who are self-funded.