Teacher's Blog

FET Colleges, is it really a solution?

2012-02-21T05:49:00.017-08:00

Paying thousands to obtain a diploma or a certificate in your chosen field of study after matric is a huge expense and proving to be an even bigger risk, but what is the alternative for school leavers today?

To operate as a private FET institution, a college must first be registered as a company in line with the Companies Act of 1973, and then obtain registration with the Department of Education or Umalusi (the general and further education training quality assurance body).

For students who do not have university exemption or cannot afford university fees, a FET college is the next best option, But is this working in their favour long term?
Accredited colleges are providing students with measurable qualifications that can be used in industry. So the question is why are they not being hired but in the majority of cases their qualification is being looked down on and internships and jobs are being given to university students only.

This attitude of employers is preventing students from finding gainful employment resulting in them being forced into low-level jobs with very little if any prospect of career advancement.

What's your take?

Teacher Unions, effective or not?

2012-02-13T23:58:00.004-08:00

Teacher unions have influenced education policy and social change throughout history. On the other hand, the development and history of teacher unions are closely related to their political relationship with government.

In this day in age it is quite clear that because of their role in policy implementation, teacher unions are not only able to sabotage or promote policies but also to influence society's perception about government performance.

With all this in play are unions really effective? Can they continue to only have teacher's best interest at heart and nobody else? How can they allow srikes to continue for months on end knowing full well the impact it will have on the learners? There is a role for unions to play in a democratic society but it is a questionable role when the outcome of their actions is always to the detriment of the most vulnerable members in society- our children.

The question is: do we really need that?

Ideas from: mg.co.za/article/2011-03-04-manuel-criticses-teacher-unions

Teaching in South Africa, where are we going

2012-02-07T05:06:00.000-08:00

One could argue that South Africa is one of the more affluent countries in Africa but does this mean anything if we are failing to produce good teachers who in turn are failing to produce well educated learners who will be our future leaders?

Rural schools are faced with a myriad of problems of which under-qualified teachers are but one. How can we then expect good results from the vast majority of our learners when in actual fact poor teaching is at the root of our under performing education system. Could we be heading towards a future with no institutionalized teaching where parents will be left to educate their children at home and teachers become a distant memory...

The good teachers are mostly to be found in the ex model C schools where their skills, dedication and hard work are recognized and well compensated for. Now what does this mean for all previously disadvantaged schools? Will they be forever stuck with under qualified teachers who have lost their drive for teaching because of financial and behavioral issues? Will our learners rich and poor never receive the same level of instruction? Will the teaching profession continue to be overlooked leaving us with an even bigger shortage of skilled and passionate teachers?

What's your take?

Ideas from: www.ten-edu.co.za

Are school systems preparing our children for the real world

2012-01-24T23:12:00.000-08:00

Are school leavers ready for life after school? Are they academically proficient and work skilled on the same level? Home life and high school provide both security and predictability, but in the time immediately after, our young people are left to their own devices. Unfortunately they don't always have the right information, especially when they make critical decisions, sometimes in the heat of the moment. I'm not convinced that our approach to the transition between school and life thereafter is working, or that it ever has. This then leads to the question of who should be taking responsibility, is it the parents? The learners themselves? Teachers? Or our educational system as a whole.

The world is constantly changing, and grows in complexity with each new day. So it is vitally important that our children understand how it works from a very early stage. They should have access to all the information we can give them. Even though the sheer volume of information has made it difficult for anyone to offer clear perspective on life choices and the right places to source information. Are educators also restricted by the demands and confines of the curriculum? Education has numerous academic checks and balances, yet there is no measurement of how well we've prepared our learners for the real world.

Do you think the local school systems are preparing our children for the future?

Education and teachers, what's your take?

2012-01-16T23:14:00.000-08:00

We need a national debate on education. At the moment we are driving down a unknown road without a map, we don't know where we are going exactly, what point we're at, how far we have to go or where our destination is. What kind of education system do we want? What is the purpose of our education system?

We talk equality but we implement differentiation, so in reality we have a two-tiered school system. What do business and industry want out of education? What do parents want? We are also confusing schooling with education and that is having a negative impact on basic education. There should be rigorous systems of accountability. We need to determine clearly defined standards of behaviour and performance and then place measures of accountability, and make sure that teachers and principals live up to them. Such monitoring and evaluation cannot be conducted by the teachers themselves, but must be undertaken by external, independent bodies and the community that uses the school. If our education system is to be competitive and productive, then we have to have standards that must be maintained.

This means improving district structures as well. One of our problems is that policy is set at national level and supposedly implemented at provincial level, but with provinces excluded from policy making, there is little interest in delivery. This in turn defeats and degrades the concept of policy. A more genuinely de-centralised system would promote much greater community involvement and school level accountability.

A further problem lies not only in the massive backlog of teachers, but also the low erosion rate of teachers and principals. When these professionals stay in one place for long periods, it becomes extremely difficult to implement any kind of change. This also leads to the culture shock awaiting new teachers trained with modern methods who are confronted with stubborn resistance to change by established teachers who often use out-dated methods and poor work practices, they don't know how to overcome this so they frequently either resign or give up and adopt. A starting point would need to be a detailed and realistic national plan on education. This will allow us to start getting the basic blocks in place.

What the new year has in store

2012-01-10T01:41:00.000-08:00

The holiday season has come and gone. The new year is here!

Teachers need to be prepared for the new term, the new year and the influx of eager learners excited to learn and start the year in a new grade. It is imperative that teachers adopt a pro-active, positive approach to managing the challenges of the new year in an effort to ensure that learners become the best that they can be.

Enthusiasm for your role as a teacher and preparation are the key to making 2012 a success. Learners are looking up to you for guidence and help to reach their academic goals. As an educator you need to realize how important your role is in creating the leaders of tomorrow.

Work together with learners, colleagues, parents and the broader community to make this another year of teaching excellence as every contribution counts.

Publishing Matric results....YAY or NAY

2011-12-13T00:45:00.000-08:00

There has always been a mixed reaction to the tradition of publishing matric results. Those in favour of the tradition see it as a public pat on the back for work well done. Those against it see it as just more pressure on already over pressured youth that might have catastrophic consequences if your name does not appear in the paper.

The original aim of the publishing of matric results in the newspaper was to assist pupils who were on vacation and were unable to get to their respective schools to collect the results. This is no longer the case as matrics gather at their schools to open the newspaper to see the results.

In a time when we are so conscious of being politically correct, of respecting others' privacy and of erring on the safe side, should we not give some thought to the less than average student who might have tried very hard but just did not succees on the day? They have the right to keep their dignity and to try again without fear of being ridiculed.

On the other hand we should try to find a mechanism to praise those students who have worked hard and who have triumphed in the end. Perhaps a celebratory publication once all students have been notified of their results? Or is that just going back to the beginning again.....

In the end a compromise could be to use only ID or student numbers and keep it all as anonymous as possible. Numbers instead of names.

Award to recognise good governance

2011-03-15T03:03:00.000-07:00

An annual national award that recognises schools that promote principles of good govrnance and discipline has been launched in Johannesburg and is believed to be a first in South africa.
Known as the CGF-Proudly South African School Governace Award, the initiative is the brainchild of CGF's chief executive officer, Terry Booysen, who has been a governance specialist for eight years and a prtner of Proudly South African.

Several of south Africa's municipalities as well as provincial education departments (notably the Eastern Cape) are facing serious financial and management problems, partly because of lack of management expertise and good governance.
The judges will focus on aspects such as:

Individual accountability
Collective responsibility
Group Perfomance
Principal's leadership capability
The quality of school policy
Supporting and promoting local products and services

The call for entries sto the awards will be announce by the Proudly South African Campaign in due course. For morr information contact Dalene du Preez at: dalene@proudlysa.co.za.Tel 011 327 7778

Following a field of dreams...

2011-02-23T06:58:00.000-08:00

Last year Derek Smith of Reading Matters took on a private project that is proving to bring out the best in everyone involved. Derek along with kind partners have offered to build a library for inner city Johannesburg school Albert Street School.

They not only pledged to build the library, they are making it happen. The principal at Albert Street School along with his staff members are not sitting back and watching their dreams of one day having a library come to life, they are getting their hands dirty and being a part of the change.

THE LITTLE SCHOOL THAT CAN - ALBERT STREET BEFORE CONSTRUCTION STARTED

Oh yes, at long last the show is on the road – After months of begging, using all my persuasive skills (like hitting people on the head with a plastic hammer), blackmail, extortion and guilt tripping the Field of Dreams Library at Albert Street School in downtown Jozi is becoming a reality.

Amecon, the construction company who is undertaking the majority of the refurbishment of the old minister’s manse started yesterday. On a Saturday. André and his team who are so committed to make this happen that they have to work on weekends, free of charge, to fit it into their very busy programme. Amecon hopes to finish the build over four Saturdays.

Alpha Zhou, the school principal was waiting when we arrived. In an overall - to help with the hard craft. So were some of the older kids – carting away rubble, sprinkling water to keep down the dust. We do believe in child labour, not as exploitation but so that they can take ownership of Field of Dreams.

PRINCIPAL ALPHA ZHOU, WILLY OF AMECON AND JONATHAN
THE LIBRARIAN TAKING A BREATHER

“We want to do things ourselves;” Alpha said, “We cannot expect others to do things for us.” Alpha’s Can Do attitude is one of the reasons why I am involved in the establishment of this library. He’s not waiting for the miracle to come, but making it happen. What else can one expect from a Zimbabwean refugee who once slept on the church pews of Paul Verryn’s Methodist Church when he first came to South Africa?

He dared to dream to start a school for the refugee children two years ago in a disused church building. It grew from a handful of children to more than 450 of which more than a 100 are refugee orphans. They get by on a wing and a prayer, heaps of commitment and passion to ensure a world class education for their children, Albert Street School gets NO government funding, no learning resources, no textbooks - nothing at all

Alpha and his teachers get a small stipend from the Methodist church to survive. At the end of the 2010 Albert Street had twenty children ready to enter for the Cambridge International Examinations, but there was no funding to enroll the kids. The teachers donated the little income they receive to register the children. Of the 30 kids that entered 21 passed, 10 at A level which gives them university exemption.

This type of commitment and results has to be measured against the South African educational scenario, where teachers strike and schooling is disrupted at the drop of a hat. About 20% of the class of 2010 in government schools qualified for university exemption compared to 70% of those in Albert Street.

I know it’s not a fair comparison because the number of learners does not equate. I also know that dedication and commitment pays huge dividends when one believes the impossible is possible.

Field of Dreams will be greatly assisting these kids to make their dreams a reality.

Thank you to everyone who contributed so far.

Let’s Rock & Roll

-contribution by Derek Smith

Follow this story...

http://mrbaggins1.livejournal.com/

Plan, implement and conquer: Gauteng getting it right

2011-01-18T01:58:00.000-08:00

According to Barbara Creecy, Gauteng MEC for education, their seven percent point improvement to a 78.6% pass rate is the result of a well planned intervention programme, pupil commitment and a range of productive partnerships between the department, teachers, community and business.

Creecy spoke to the Times about how they managed to accomplish what many thought was impossible in such a short space of time. The department identified six subjects that produced the highest failure rates. These were maths, maths literacy, physical science and English first additional language.In their research process, it fast became clear that the majority of pupils who failed did not come from Gauteng's least functional schools but rather functional schools that could succeed if they were given additional support.

In April 2010 a three year programme dubbed the Secondary School Improvement Plan was launched. The programme gave an improvement target to every participating school and set high expectations that stretched pupil ambition. 1200 of the best teachers were recruited as tutors and about 48 000 grade 12s, almost half of those registered to write matric were invited to participate.

Key elements of the programme included supplementary lessons in the identified subjects, study materials for learners and lesson plans for tutors. At the height of the strike 80 of these groups were meeting daily, this teaching the most valuable lesson: the importance of giving learners and parents greater responsibility for learner achievement. Following the strike different role players got together and ran the "Save our matrics" campaign in which learning camps were established, extra lessons were offered, Cinema screenings of video lessons were given.

Almost 80 percent of the schools involved showed a vast improvement in their results.

Creecy gives most credit to the learners who took responsibility for their own learning . Other role players include district officials, teachers, private sector and community structures.

Rules for success- continued

2011-01-13T03:37:00.000-08:00

Previously we looked at setting goals for yourself and your students to ensure that you achieve desired results at the end of the year. We looked at the acronym SMARTER to help design powerful successful goals.

Now we look at the meaning of each letter and provide examples to help you along.

Specific: Many intended goals fail because they're too ambiguous, woolly and vague. A goal needs to be specific and to the point.
Poor example: The school exam results will be improved on next year.
Good example: In 2011 matric exams, every candidate will pass every subject

Measurable: Dream big but be able to measure the dream. Goals should be measurable An observer should be able to measure whether or not intended goals were achieved.
Poor example: The school will raise funds to build a library.
Good example: Fund raising events in 2011 will raise R75 000 towards the library

Achievable: Set goals that are challenging and just beyond one's grasp. They need to motivate one to excel but also be reachable.
Poor example: The school will be the best in the country.
Good goal: Excellent overall percentage results will be obtained in the grades three and six standardised annual national assessment.

Realistic:Goals need to be realistic and in relation to resources and man-power.
Poor example: Each learner will have a maths percentage of at least 70%
Good example: Each learner's maths mark will improve by 5% over a year.

Time-bound: Before carrying out a goal set deadlines. Decide what will be achieved by certain dates. Dates become milestones on the journey to achieving goals.
Bad example: the school will build two new classrooms
Good example: R180 000 will be raised by December 2012 on the new classrooms project; the classrooms will be built by June 2012.

Ethical: Goals should be in the best interest of the community.
Poor example: Secure car parking available only for senior management.
Good example: Secure car parking available on a first come, first serve basis for all staff and visitors.

Rewarding: A goal should be well worth doing . Upon completion all parties involved should feel it was all well worth it.
Poor example: Expensive recliner armchair for Principal's office.
Good example: Comfortable chairs for everyone in the staffroom.

Be inspired as you plan your personal, professional and school goals. Dream on but be mindful of Diana Hunt's word, "Goals are dreams with deadlines"

Source: theTeacher, November 2010 pg. 7

Rules for success

2011-01-11T07:04:00.000-08:00

Last year we set goal fit for 2010 and have achieved what we could and learnt from mistakes made. 2011 we need to set new goals to ensure that we work smarter towards success.

Last year in an issue of "theTeacher" I came across an article about pre-planning and thought this is definitely something to share with each and everyone of you.
Smarter is an acronym used to help design powerful, successful goals. This acronym makes goal setting easy to formulate and serves as a checklist to determine if the goals are worthwhile. The meaning of each letter is:

S: Specific
M: Measurable
A: Achievable
R: Realistic
T: Time-bound
E: Ethical
R: Rewarding

Tomorrow we'll look at the each letter of the acronym individually and provide examples of how this acronym can be implemented in your planning for the year ahead. In the meanwhile, think your goals for your learners and school this year.

Season's greetings

2010-12-22T00:35:00.001-08:00

Teacher still cares

2010-12-21T06:09:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning at 8:30am promptly Cecilia, a grade 3 teacher from Lehutsu Primary school from Sasolburg travelled by taxi to honour an appointment she asked for with Jocelyn Gulston, a trainer at READ. Cecilia called Jocelyn asking her to assist her with additional traing so that come 2011 she would be the best educator she can be for her students.

Jocelyn was more than happy to assist an educator who shows such passion for the work she does and cares so deeply for the children in her school. Cecelia expected nothing in return and yet spent her own money on travelling and meal costs to come and learn from one of READ's experienced trainers.

Cecelia making teaching aids to take back with her for her classroom next year

The two ladies worked the entire morning until late in the afternoon with Cecelia learning new and innovative ways to engage her students in her lessons.

Cecelia has taken change into her own hands. We are glad to see that there are teachers who want to see change happen in our schools and understand that READ is always ready and willing to assist where they can.

Making a difference one class at a time

Primary and Secondary education in South Africa

2010-12-15T03:24:00.001-08:00

Primary and Secondary education in South Africa

School life of young South Africans spans over 13 years or grades. The first year of education, grade R(reception year), is not compulsory, Grade 10,11and 12 are also not compulsory. Usually enroll into grade 1 at the age of six and a half. In South Africa the school year starts in mid-January and ends at the end of November or the beginning of December.

The average learner-to-educator ratio schools was 31.5:1 ranging from 28.9:1 in the Free Sate to 33.2:1 in Limpopo. Private Schools generally have one teacher for every 20 scholars.

The gross enrollment ration for primary and secondary schools was 94 percent in 2007; this ratio is somewhat smaller when grade R is taken into consideration, because few parents register their children for the reception grade. The department of Education hopes to have grade R in all primary schools by 2010.

Gauteng Primary Literacy Strategy

2010-12-08T05:47:00.000-08:00

Read Educational Trust is participating in the Gauteng Primary Literacy Strategy that is being rolled out in underperfoming schools across the province from January 2011 until 2014. Sixteen trainers from READ will be responsible for the training of 965 foundation phase teachers at 129 schools in the Johannesburg South, Sedibeng East and West districts.

In preparation for their training lessons for Grade 1 were prepared by the newly appointed trainers. These lessons were informed by the new Heights teacher's guide provided (My Family)

The relevant teaching aids i.e. vocabulary/sight words and phonic charts were prepared and evaluated by project leaders (Senior Trainers) to insure consistent and uniform material.


A trainer shows presents her work during a training session with senior trainers

The objective of the presentations is to allow the new trainers to gain confidence in themselves and their work. This also allows them the opportunity to learn from each other before they go out into the field nest year.


Trainers prepares her material for her lessons


The alphabet made easy

Looks like these trainers are well on their way to being ready. wishing them all the best of luck for the task ahead.

Learning made fun

2010-12-08T05:01:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Blogger has seen fun innovative ways of teaching in the READ training rooms. We've discussed the importance of making the learning a experience a fun one, I've found fun and easy ways that may help you along.

Yesterday I sat in briefly during a traing session at READ. They made it look fun but it certainly isn't easy making sure that your children remain captivated and enjoy the entire lesson.

Riette Els was teaching her colleagues ways to interact and teach children at (Early Childhood Development) ECD level, if you thought little personalities were a handful you might want to think again, these trainers where so full of energy I thought the room would start spinning.

Riette's students after completing an exercise


Students present their three elements of nature as required by the given task

I sat in on an exercise and one fast realizes that so much can be done with what we have around us. They used egg shells to grow been seeds. When children get frustrated there are child friendly ways to release their frustrations. They showed me how to use bright sponges filled with water that can be throw against a wall without breaking anything and creating an awesome splash of water.


Water soaked sponges and egg shells have 101 uses

Next week blogger will talk you through the lesson and the objectives of each exercise.

Bold schools fix it plan

2010-11-25T06:07:00.000-08:00

In a bid to improve the quality of education and matric results, the Gauteng government unveiled a bold plan for government schools, staring in the new year.

Designed by Education MEC Barbara Creecy, the move has massive implications for pupils, teachers and parents.

In terms of the plan:

Grade 3, 6 and 9 pupils will write a standardised national test that will determine their knowledge of numeracy and literacy so that areas of weakness can be identified earlier and rectified before Grade 12
All schools will approach the curriculum standardised fashion, covering the same areas at the same time.
5000 teachers will be trained throughout the year in the curriculum
Parents will have to attend induction classes at the start of the school year. Schools reopen January 12, and the induction programme will be held on January 8 and 9.

Creey said this was to get parents to take more responsibility for their children's education and would serve to inform them about the year ahead, what was expected of them as their children.

Speaking at a special briefing of editors, Creecy painted a bleak picture of the state of education in the province. According to the latest figures only 30 percent of grade 3s are literate and just over 40 percent pass maths, while slightly more than 50 percent are literate.

At high school level, about 50 percent of children can't read or write, so it is difficult for the department to get the matric results up.

Make learning fun

2010-11-10T07:05:00.000-08:00

If you’ve been teaching students, young and old alike, you have probably encountered the greatest drawback in teaching history – boredom. Boredom can be a teacher’s greatest insult.

Imagine having to stand in front of a number of students, you’ve been talking on end, and your students aren’t listening. You start to think if you’re the reason why they’re bored. Maybe you are the one who’s boring and not the topic. More often than not, it is the approach to learning, and not you that’s making learning boring.

Making learning fun is an art as much as it is a practice. It is a practice because it requires a skilled and knowledgeable teacher with the right attitude to teach a number of students and to teach them well. It is an art because it sparks your imagination; it opens up your creativity, and makes use of your talents to make it fun as well as knowledgeable.


Children at Kwa-Thema Creche enjoying reading time with one of the READ trainers

Making learning fun doesn't mean having the best resources but rather making the best of the resources you have at your disposal. One can start by incorporating lively examples in your lessons. These examples must be relevant to the students you are teaching. Giving examples that are relevant to them stimulates their brains.

Making learning fun also entails that students have to feel rewarded from the lessons they are observing. Generate interesting and open-ended questions that require their brains to think of an answer, rather than a simple yes or no question.

Come up with games that incorporate the lesson for the day in it.Games allow students to apply what they have learned into real situations and are great evaluative tools for teachers.The best secret in getting student to enjoy lessons is in making them hungry for knowledge and the battle is half won.

Government plans to resource libraries fully

2010-11-03T06:14:00.000-07:00

In September 2010, Dr J.C Kloppers Lourens (DA) asked the minister of basic education whether the Government has taken any steps to resource school libraries fully.

In her reply the minster was asked to address plans and proposed time lines for her department to provide every school in the country with a (i) properly equipped library and (ii) trained school librarian.


Children from schools in and around Soweto surrounded by books at a READ-CNA in-store reading.

In her reply the minister pointed out that this is something the department had been working on To address the infrastructure provisioning holistically two significant documents have been developed namely the:

National Policy for an Equitable Provision of an Enabling School Physical Teaching and Learning Environment. Through this policy, the department says it will realize the provision of all essential spaces and facilities, including school libraries. This policy is to be followed by the Norms and Standards for School Infrastructure.

National School Library and Information Services Guidelines. Through these guidelines provision and support of libraries in the system will be addressed.

In terms of the Norms and Standards for School Infrastructure all new schools will have libraries. National Treasury has allocated an additional R2b for the next two financial years to provide libraries, laboratories and grade R classrooms 2011 and 2012. This amount is over and above the infrastructure budget allocated to provinces. The department is said to be in the process of developing a strategy that aims to accelerate the delivery of schools infrastructure and more specifically, aimed at the improvement of existing schools infrastructure to achieve Optimum Functionality level in targeted schools infrastructure within the 2010-2014 Strategic Plan Period and beyond. The targets related to this initiative are being finalised. From their budgets this year, provinces are meant to be providing 146 libraries to new and existing schools.

The minister added that the provision of teacher librarians would have to be made within the context of broad post provision according to priority needs.

We trust government will deliver on the said targets and that all children will have access to the ultimate windows of the world...Books

Field of dreams- Contribution by Derek Smith

2010-10-15T07:09:00.000-07:00

Random acts of kindness usually have the most charming results which brings more joy to the giver than to the receiver. Last week the following chain of events left me with a feel good experience that still makes me smile.

First the back-story:

This year READ is distributing 1 000 blank journals as part of the 2010 Readathon Campaign with the following message;

“This journal is on a Journey – and we would like you to be part of it.

One thousand journals, like this one, are traveling from one person to the next throughout South Africa. Those who find them will add their stories and drawings, and then pass the journal on to someone else until the whole journal is filled.

We want you to use photos, cartoons, drawings, sketches, collage or poems to tell your story. It is all about you, who you are, where you are, what you are thinking, wanting or doing. Pen or pencil, crayon or paint. Just write something about yourself and what you do.”

These journals should, when full, be handed in at a CNA store. The best entries will be judged and published as part of a journal reflecting South African life in 2010. The idea behind this campaign is to recognize the value of writing in functional literacy.

The other part of the story was me nagging the love of my life to pose for a photograph, something she hates with a passion;

♥ Girl’s daughter bought her an exquisite antique hand-embroidered Bedouin dress at the Jaffa Flea Market in Tel Aviv many moons ago. For years it’s hung in the cupboard hardly ever being worn. I bought a nifty little photo-sampler Lomography camera a while ago which really relies on the alchemy of photography with four little plastic lenses firing in quick succession on 35mm film. I pleaded for days on end until Her Royal Highness sighed, flounced off, putting on the dress so that I could take some photographs in front of a mosaic in our garden. I thought the contrasting colours will work well in lomo.

Afterward this momentous photo-shoot ♥ Girl said she might as well get rid of the dress as she will never wear it again. I suggested that we either have cushion covers made of the embroidered pieces or donate it to “Bounty Hunters Charity Shop” close to our home. But that would have been a sad waste as the dress would be special to someone that could appreciate it for what it is - a coat of many colours.

I was quite happy with the photos and posted two on my Flickr site which then lead to the following chain of events;

On 7 September the first person posting a comment remarked;

“Oh my gosh, I SO BADLY want that outfit. I love the business of the Bedouin against the mosaic...it works here!”

When I read this I knew that karma was at play and that the dress has found a new home. I phoned ♥ Girl and asked her if I could offer it as a surprise gift which she was quite happy to do.

On 8 September I replied;

“Surprise, surprise……! You can have it. My partner got this many years ago as a gift when her daughter went to Israel and she’s actually never wore it. We don’t know what to do with it and was thinking of getting someone to make cushion covers for us, using the dress.

Let me have your address and I’ll send it to you.”

Shortly thereafter I received an answer;

“Oh my goodness....I literally screamed when I read your mail. You have NO idea, how much this means to me. I too am a great believer that things happen as they should.”

I obtained the address. This was in Vanderbijlpark, which is close to Jozi and I couriered it the next day. I slipped one of “Journals on a Journey” in which I wrote an entry about the garment into the package. The parcel was delivered the same afternoon.

I then received the following e-mail:

“I already have my dress on. One of the girls in my office is currently in tears...she is so touched by the story. The book, the writing in it, the concept... I cannot stop smiling. I cannot stop thinking about how I am going to pass the book on and make someone else as happy as you have made me. I cannot stop thanking you...

And the dress was made for me in every sense of the word.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK you a million times over!

PS I was looking for a way to end my 52 week project and you gave it to me...

Love and blessings and peace to you both!!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot say thank you enough.

When the book comes back you will see all the symbolism that has come with the dress for me...the positive energy and blessing through both your kindnesses”

I didn’t know what this 52-week project was all about until I saw the following photographs on Flickr with their comments:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adelbeukes/

“Earlier this week I saw a photo of a Bedouin Dress on Flickr. What followed after I commented on the pic and the dress is nothing short of awesome.

Not long after the comment I got an email. To cut a long story short a day later I got the dress and an added bonus - a journal called, “Journal on a Journey” ...there are a 1000 copies...of which I have one in my hands...each person write their thoughts, wishes etc., and then pass it on to the next person to add their photos, drawings...etc....

I think this is such an inspiring idea and I'm ever so thankful for being involved

“My 52 weeks of self-portraits is ended by random strangers who did a small deed that to me meant a massive amount. I feel blessed and lucky to have received such a wonderful surprise. I got this beautiful beyond words Bedouin dress in a package

It feels like I have been chosen to be part of something...along with the beyond beautiful Bedouin dress there was a "Journal on a Journey" inside the box. When I opened and read it my heart skipped a few beats and i still have not been able to stop smiling. Not only because the dress is amazing, but because i have been touched by kindness.

So I end my 52 weeks project on a complete high. I wanted to portray the feeling of freedom and lightness that i am experiencing...and I cannot wait to send my Journal on its journey.”

And so the circle of life continues. Karma at play.

I know there some repetition in the comments but I’m leaving it as is otherwise otherwise the spontaneity will be lost in translation

I love it when a plan comes together and I’m sure this dress will be worn with joy and that its history will be told many times over. I also hope that the journal will complete its journey and that I’ll have the privilege of seeing it again.

World teacher's day

2010-10-05T04:50:00.000-07:00

Dear teacher

Today is your day. It is not everyday that we show appreciation for our teachers. You are not only educators, you are caretakers, parents, providers, protectors and so much more. You play such a huge role in the grooming of our children as well as the future of our country. We salute you and the work you do.

We salute you for caring for our nation!

Each day the fate of 12 000 000 young people is put in your hands. You deserve great respect!

Tribute to Cynthia- Contribution

2010-09-28T02:42:00.000-07:00

Tribute to Cynthia

I think that I am the oldest person at READ and have worked here for many many years so I can claim to have known Cynthia the longest. Also our friendship started even before Cynthia thought of READ.

So first I want to talk about Cynthia as a friend. All this time she has been a true friend and a great comfort and support in times of trouble, not only to me but to all who have come to her for help. She has done whatever she can to see us through some of our life shattering struggles. So Cynthia as a friend is very important to me. There are other aspects that I want to talk about as well.

Cynthia as a person with vision: Her vision for READ a long time ago became reality because she put determination together with her dynamic personality. She was determined to do whatever she could to help the underprivileged children of SA develop their potential and get people to help her achieve this.

The first project I worked on with Cynthia was to put reference libraries into high schools in Soweto and we needed money for the books. I will always remember Eve Jammy , the manager of Exclusive Books at the time saying that yes, of course the business community would listen to Cynthia and provide the funds because Cynthia was so dynamic and convincing and believed passionately in what she was doing. And this proved to be true as we know. In all my years at READ this determination to do what she can for the children of SA has meant that many more ambitious projects like the Business Trust have been a great success

During our work in the high school libraries about 25 years ago I will never forget the fright we gave a little two year old boy who took one look at us and screamed-we were the first white people this child had ever seen. He bravely overcame his fear though when we gave him some sweets and quite liked us in the end though he wasn’t quite sure what we were.

Cynthia as a developer of people: One of the qualities I most admire in Cynthia as a person is that she always sees potential in other people and gives us opportunities to grow. The very first time I came to READ Cynthia wanted some flowers arranged. From this she somehow saw hidden abilities and I then went on to do many different jobs for READ. Cynthia has always been delighted with the success of all whom work at READ and very proud of our achievements. You just had to say that you wanted to try to do something and she would be so glad to let you have a go and her confidence gave us confidence too.

Cynthia as an intellectual: Cynthia has recognized the importance of working with world renowned experts in literacy like Professor Elley who introduced the book flood, Edie Garvey who taughtus the value of working with stories and Shelley Harwyn, a famous American teacher of creative writing and more recently Sue Ellis who gave us a wonderful workshop on using a small selection of excellent books to inspire children to read and write. So many people like this have visited READ through the years and their vision together with Cynthia ‘s ability to use their work, has helped READ develop into a respected literacy organization and kept us in the mainstream of world literacy research and development.

Cynthia as an artist: When I look around at the beautiful READ building that looks like an art gallery I think of Cynthia as an artist. She has an eye for art with the wonderful prints and colours we see every day. The art and architecture of this building show us that you are an artist. Thank you for making our working environment so lovely.

The combination of friendship, vision, generosity to develop others, intellectual and artistic ability all put together make Cynthia into a truly amazing person and this has been proved by her achievements through READ for the children of SA. I think we will all try our best to make Cynthia proud of us through continuing where she has left off and doing whatever we can for the children who need us more than ever.

Signed

Bettine Nixon

Welcome

2010-09-21T01:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Teacher

Welcome to your zone. This month in the Zone we celebrate a woman who had a vision for literacy for all South Africans and has worked tirelessly towards that goal. We pay tribute to Cynthia Hugo who has recently retired as National Director of READ Educational Trust.

Halala Ms. Hugo Halala