EwB runs first holiday tutor sessions

JULY 5, 2010 — The World Cup is dominating the headlines in South Africa and beyond, but while local students take a break from school to enjoy the tournament there is still studying at Fezeka Senior Secondary.

Education without Borders is running its first two-week holiday camp at Fezeka in the township of Gugulethu outside Cape Town. Managed by EwB volunteers Laura Egdorf and MS Falo, tutorial assistance is provided for English, mathematics, sciences, geography and accounting.

The holiday camp comes on the heels of the creation of Saturday morning tutoring sessions that focus on maths and science but have expanded to include a range of subjects. The first Saturday sessions took place in May, designed for students who couldn't attend after-school sessions during the week, as well as to assist Grade 11 and 12 students in need of additional help.

Nearly 50 students turned up and were met with nine tutors. MS Falo from Khayelitsha township — EwB's first homegrown volunteer — coordinates the Saturday sessions.

"We have all the reasons to be all smiles and excited about the possibilities of where this can go," Falo wrote. "The fact that these kids come in on a Saturday is quite astounding."

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Education without Borders (EwB), established in 2002, is a Canadian non-profit that aims to provide improved educational opportunities and facilities in disadvantaged regions of the world. We believe that the development of knowledge and skills gives individuals greater control over their lives, more possibilities for their future, and helps to build and bridge communities. Currently, EwB's efforts are focused on Fezeka Senior Secondary in the township of Gugulethu in Cape Town, South Africa.