Online learning support - Abraham Kriel
The Covid-19 pandemic has stripped many families bare and has left them vulnerable and uncertain of their next meal. Many of our school-going beneficiaries, who find themselves in such homes, despaired. Residential care beneficiaries have different levels of uncertainty and knowledge of technology. Babies and toddlers received occupational therapy on-line and thought it best to put the smart phone in their mouths.
On the positive side, Covid-19 catapulted us into online schooling. This is particularly necessary for Grades 11 and 12.
On the negative side; many children and students do not have access to the internet. They do not have smart phones and are unable to afford data.
*Sabelo expressed his fears and uncertainty to Tshepiso Ndlovu, a childcare worker from our Community Care programme in Zola.
“I’m in Grade 12 and it has been very difficult for me to focus on my school work. I live in a small shack with my mother and siblings. There is not enough room for all of us to study peacefully and I have had to resort to studying from midnight to 3 am. Financially, we are drowning! My mother has not been able to work due to the lockdown and this is stressing her very much. I don’t want to add to her stress by asking for data.”
Children in Residential Care had to work on managers’ and sometimes houseparents’ computers and personal tablets. One campus manager received schoolwork on her computer and cell phone and then distributed the learning material to the children. Children in satellite houses could receive video calls from volunteers and donors.
Sabelo is not the only young man that was left feeling anxious and uncertain about his future. A number of the children in residential and community care, especially those in Grades 11 and 12, felt the same. It is heart breaking to witness that fear as well as the lack of knowledge to use technology.
We asked our donors for money for data and the response was overwhelming.
Children in our care, whether in community services or residential care now have access to data to continue their online lessons. We also monitor the use of data and internet material closely.
We are deeply grateful to know that whenever we are in desperate need, we are able to call on our donors and the community at large to assist. Without hesitation, you heed our call. Thank you to all the donors who have made this possible. Your support changes the lives of so many children.
Skool, data en ‘n klomp nuwe vaardighede
Die Covid-19 pandemie het vele gesinne kaal gestroop en kwesbaar gelaat. Skoolkinders in sulke arm omstandighede ervaar onsekerheid en ‘n vrees vir die toekoms. Kinders in residensiële sorg het ook verskillende vlakke van onsekerheid en kennis van tegnologie. Babas en peutertjies het aanlyn arbeidsterapie ontvang en het hul bes probeer om die slimfoon in hul monde te kry.
Die aansporing vir aanlyn skoolwerk is een van die positiewe punte van Covid-19. Veral vir Graad 11 en 12 leerlinge.
Die negatiewe sy daarvan is dat nie alle kinders en studente toegang tot internet het nie. Nie alle kinders het slimfone nie en kan nie data bekostig nie.
*Sabelo het sy vrese met een van ons kinderversorgers, Tshepiso Ndlovu, gedeel.
“I’m in Grade 12 and it has been very difficult for me to focus on my school work. I live in a small shack with my mother and siblings. There is not enough room for all of us to study peacefully and I have had to resort to studying from mid-night to 3 am. Financially, we are drowning! My mother has not been able to work due to the lockdown and this is stressing her very much. I don’t want to add to her stress by asking for data.”
Slimfone (ook tweedehands) en data moes eenvoudig vir kinders soos Sabelo gevind word. Kinders in residensiële sorg het selfs op bestuurders en soms huisouers se rekenaars en persoonlike tablette gewerk. Een kampusbestuurder het skoolwerk op haar rekenaar en telefoon ontvang en dan al die leermateriaal tussen die kinders versprei. In een satelliethuis kon die kinders video oproepe van hul gemeentevriende ontvang.
Sabelo, was nie ons enigste kind wat angstig en onseker gevoel het nie. ‘n Groot aantal van ons kinders in beide Soweto, Westbury en residensiele sorg, veral die Graad 11 en 12 kinders, het dieselfde gevoel. Dit is hartseer om die kinders se onsekerheid en die tekort aan tegnologiese kennis te aanskou.
AKB het gevra vir hulp om data te voorsien en die respons was verblydend – eintlik oorweldigend!
Kinders in ons sorg, beide in die gemeenskappe en residensieel, het toegang tot data en kan hul skoolwerk doen. Ons monitor die gebruik van data en inligting van die internet .
Ons is opreg dankbaar dat ons altyd met ‘n spesifieke behoefte aan die deure van donateurs en die groter gemeenskap kan klop. U het positief reageer, sonder aarseling. Dankie aan elke donateur wat data en kommunikasie moontlik maak. Julle bydraes verander kinders se lewens.