news / Sparrows School Visit
NMCF UK staff visited inspiring NMCF funded projects in Johannesburg last week.
Sparrows School is a stimulating and supportive place for disabled children to learn, as well as equipping them with practical skills that will help them to earn a living.
Pupils are aged from 4 to 18 and are grouped according to their learning ability rather than age, and smaller classes mean they get the attention they need to make progress. The classrooms are bright and stimulating with the emphasis on supportive play based learning. We saw a small group of children who were enthusiastic and engaged, all clamouring to answer the teacher's questions.
Teaching the children to read write and count is a priority, but they also have the chance to gain practical work skills such as catering, car maintenance, welding and woodwork. And as they get older, classes on small business development also give them with the know how to start their own business. Life skills education, aimed at preventing HIV infection or drug and alcohol misuse are also a vital part of the curriculum.
We met a former pupil of the school who graduated in 2004 and is now a teaching assistant and training to be a teacher herself. "Sparrows gave me an education and a chance in life - I just want to do that same for others".
To support Sparrows and other NMCF projects offering children a chance of a better future visit our donations page Support our Work
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