A day in Umlazi township.

In Durban we had a chance meeting with Alex Wallace who was the former head of James Gillespie high school in Edinburgh.  Alex runs a number of projects around Durban, one of which is twinning James Gillespies with a couple of high schools in the Umlazi township (2nd largest in South Africa),  Zwelibanzi and Dloko school.  

He arranges for pupil visits and gap year projects between the schools.  He is also involved in a Street kids shelter "Umthombo" which provides shelter and activities for vulnerable homeless children in the city.  Alex was kind enough to arrange for a tour of the schools along with a couple of former pupils Emmanuel and Seza.  We had a fantastic time meeting the pupils and teachers of the schools. 

We were taken aback by how hard it is to get an education in SA due to poor resources and lack of government funding. Whilst primary education is compulsory, high school is not.  The children need to get the grades to get into high school and the competition is fierce.  Families have to pay for education and many cannot afford to send their kids to high school.  It costs 10 Rand (£10 to educate a child for 1 term at school).  

Children back inthe UK are really lucky to get free education and should consider it a real privilage.  In SA no education means no good job, poor prospects and little hope.  

We were totally in awe at the enthusiasm to learn and positive outlook of the children at the schools.  We were left quite dumbstruck as the whole school assembly turned out and sang  for us.  Something we will never forget.

The Gillespie Zwelibanzi school crest.

School assembly, we were the special guests for the day !!!

Students hard at work.

A happy student !!.

 Emmanuel, ex-student and guide for the day.

Gillian and Emmanuel

The soup kitchen, built by the pupils of James Gillespie.

Umlazi Township.

A typical house in the township.

Emmanuel showing us around.

The local shabeen (illegal drinking establishment).

 The pupils of Dloko High School give us a song !!!

 If you want a drink you need to nip out to the tap at the break.

A visit to the local creche (run by Emmanuels mum).

Party time in the bus back from Umlazi !!

Umthombo street kids refuge.

With Emmanuel, Mandy, Alex and Seza.

A big thanks to the guys for allowing us to visit Umlazi, the schools and the Refuge.  It was a real eye opener and we hope to try and raise some money and do some charity stuff for Alex when we get back to Scotland.