Creating the change you want to see is the mantra by which Nonkosi Ntloko lives.Ntloko, founder of New Start School in Bongweni Village opposite Cove Rock, has lived in the area since 1999.
She decided to open a day care centre in 2010 after seeing neglected children playing around the neighbourhood during school time.
Her institution now accommodates learners from Grade R to Grade 3.
“I was frustrated seeing children neglected and loitering around the streets when I knew children their age were supposed to be at school.
“The closest school was more than 20km away, and most parents could not afford transport fees so some children walked. Others never bothered and hung around the village playing, sometimes even until the night.”
Ntloko said it was painful to watch the children being ill treated by their parents who abused alcohol at taverns.
The single mother of four said she had built the school from scratch after she saw a desperate need for it.
“I had applied for funding from social development, but at the time I was told they had no funding, but that did not stop me.
“I visited tip sites around East London collecting material to build the school and I have been able to feed the children thanks to donations from an NGO and a church.”
Ntloko said because the area was still without electricity, they made a fire outside to bathe the children and cook for them.
Ntloko, who is currently building a school hall, said she appreciated the efforts by churches and NGOs to support her.
“We currently need more building material because although we have a structure for the hall, we still need to cement it and it still needs a roof, never mind the recycled material which sometimes leaks.”
Ntloko said her four children, who are employed, bought her a seven-seater vehicle a few years back which she uses to transport children to and from school.
Beacon Bay resident Tracy Hanner who nominated Ntloko said she learnt of the community work done by her through her Bible study group.
“I just jumped on board. She is truly an inspiration.”
Hanner said a group of about 20 ladies had learnt of Ntloko from a friend.
Ntloko said the group visited every three weeks, often bearing gifts. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
Self-built school fills village’s needs
She decided to open a day care centre in 2010 after seeing neglected children playing around the neighbourhood during school time.
Her institution now accommodates learners from Grade R to Grade 3.
“I was frustrated seeing children neglected and loitering around the streets when I knew children their age were supposed to be at school.
“The closest school was more than 20km away, and most parents could not afford transport fees so some children walked. Others never bothered and hung around the village playing, sometimes even until the night.”
Ntloko said it was painful to watch the children being ill treated by their parents who abused alcohol at taverns.
The single mother of four said she had built the school from scratch after she saw a desperate need for it.
“I had applied for funding from social development, but at the time I was told they had no funding, but that did not stop me.
“I visited tip sites around East London collecting material to build the school and I have been able to feed the children thanks to donations from an NGO and a church.”
Ntloko said because the area was still without electricity, they made a fire outside to bathe the children and cook for them.
Ntloko, who is currently building a school hall, said she appreciated the efforts by churches and NGOs to support her.
“We currently need more building material because although we have a structure for the hall, we still need to cement it and it still needs a roof, never mind the recycled material which sometimes leaks.”
Ntloko said her four children, who are employed, bought her a seven-seater vehicle a few years back which she uses to transport children to and from school.
Beacon Bay resident Tracy Hanner who nominated Ntloko said she learnt of the community work done by her through her Bible study group.
“I just jumped on board. She is truly an inspiration.”
Hanner said a group of about 20 ladies had learnt of Ntloko from a friend.
Ntloko said the group visited every three weeks, often bearing gifts. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
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