PROGRESS ON BUILDING AT MNAMTHA SCHOOL, KWA-ZULU NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA…

After the Blessing of the Mnamatha School building last month, building of the toilets and classrooms quickly got underway – great excitement ensued a little frustration as builders faced problems not unusual to projects in rural South African Townships.  This, however, did not deter builders and the Clarks, Soul Of Africa Mnamatha Project is fully underway.

The Clarks Kicking for Soul Of Africa Campaign over the World Cup Period has enabled Soul Of Africa to bring a positive change to this little school in Botha’s Hill, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa where the HIV / AIDS pandemic is waging war.  Clarks donated 50p on their children’s training shoe brand called CICA, to Soul Of Africa for the specific use on the Mnamatha School Project.  The total amount raised throughout the duration of the campaign has been an incredible R580 000.00 (£50,000.00).  This money is being used to build a new toilet block for the children who (all 441 of them) are sharing 6 noxious portable toilets (see Clarks Kicks for Soul Of Africa World Cup Campaign Huge Success Press release on www.soulofafricacharity.org); 2 staff toilets, a new classroom and a brand new computer room.

The first hurdle builders faced was NO water!  Someone in the community thought it was a rather good idea to tap into the schools water system and divert the water from the school to their home instead of having to pay for water.  The local council has been very supportive and the problem should be rectified by this week.

The new classroom and computer room were going to be built onto the existing classroom structures, but when the foundations to the existing classrooms were checked - there weren’t any!  Nothing deters the Mnamatha Builders (who are part of the community), so, an extra two walls have been built, and both of the classrooms will be free-standing units.

Despite the hurdles faced, the energy at Mnamatha is unmistakable, and excitement grows on a daily basis, as Patrick (Mnamatha’s Headmaster), staff, pupils and Soul Of Africa watch the building progress that is going to make such a big difference in these children’s lives.

More information about the Mnamatha, Clarks Project can be found online at hyperlink http://www.soulofafricacharity.org

Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something…. Author unknown