Its a short 30 minute drive through Mooi River Valley to our next school of the day Ferdinand Primary. As we pass the tail end of another team we notice Iris waving on the side of the road with her vehicle. She was'nt actually waving but trying to flag somone down as their vehicle had now developed a puncture. We pull over to the side of the road as other members of our team assist her with a tricky tyre change. That sorted we continue on our way...
Theres a huge turnout at we reach our next school.....20 teachers, 677 pupils and it looks like they are all here...Its a tremendous welcome as the children flock to greet their sponsors and help unload the vehicles.
Once inside the school courtyard we are welcomed by the schools principal and some of the pupils step forward to read poems thanking the Rally for their support. Our team leader Mark then introduces the sponsors.
Thobile from READ gives a random pupil chance to read from one of the new books which he does with great ease. KZN is Thobile's terrortory so she is very familiar with the schools advancements visiting many times over the year to check the Rally's implementations are working as they should be.
As with our previous school theres a range of new sports kit for the pupils here... prior to our visit today Rally staff consult with teachers as to what size outfits the children need so everything is put to good use.
After the presentation of the sports equipment the crowd is treated to a selection of reading and songs performed by the children...
The school choir also sing the national anthem being led by a very confident and capable conductor.
What followed next has to be for me the poinent moments of all this years Rallys. A single incident that stands as a testamony to the persiverence and efforts made by pupils and teachers alike. A small boy took to the stage to perform a short story. ..." Hats for sale, hats for sale" the young boy said as he paced up and down the stage to the crowds amusement...
"Hats for sale, hats for ....... the boy stopped mid sentence and his eyes started to fill with tears...as did mine and most of the sponsors watching.. the young lad had heard the laughter and took it as people laughing at him rather than with him...
The teacher took the boy to one side comforting him and explained the situation.... giving him the confidence to try once more... again he tried but on hearing the laughter burst out crying... once again the teacher interviened and talked to the lad giving him the support needed to continue... she also explained to the pupils and parents watching that they needed to be more understanding and try not to laugh so much.... at this point I noticed a lady in the crowd looking concererned, obviously the childs parent or guardian ....
So the boy wiped away his tears and again for the 3rd time took to the stage to complete his story... after a long day selling hats he slumped to the floor and pretended to be asleep... a troop of monkeys came while he slept and stole all his hats leaving his box empty...upon waking he notices the monkeys wearing his hats and demands with a lot of shouting and throwing of sticks that they give him them back... which they immediately did!
There was a massive round of applause from the crowd, the young lad had finally gained his confidence back and completed his story in-front of a very large crowd. It was a truely inspiring and emotional performance and I'm sure for many, an everlasting memory. It was also a lovely gesture by one of our sponsors to give his own hat and a 100 rand note to the boy in question.
The schools teachers then take to the stage performing a traditional dance in their make shift costumes, towels crafted into skirts held together with safety pins...improvisation is the name of the game in these remote areas of KZN
Our team leader Mark then presents the Rally's certicate and pledge of support for the upcoming year. Its also the Rallys turn to recieve some credit as the staff and children present their messages of thanks in the form of a hand embroidered mat and a picture of the African flag which had lovingly been created by the pupils.
The last part of our program for the day is the tour of the classrooms. Of the 12 schools visited by the rally in the KwaZulu Natal North region 5 have been given new grade R classrooms. These new facilities have motivated the teachers to look after them and this has had a very posative impact on their teaching.
Finally before we leave and head back to the Drakensburg Sun Resort for the evening the sponsors help distribute the "Fizzers" a popular African chewy sweet. Within a few minutes everybodys chewing away as we say our goodbyes...
We have about an hours drive back to our base for the evening through some incredibly beautiful landscapes leading to the northern side of the Drakensburg Mountain Range...
This years Rally To Read has taken place for the 15th consecutive year. Since 1998 the program has invested nearly 49 million Rand in improving literacy levels of young children in South Africa's most remote rural schools and continues to reach more children and teachers each year.
The remarkable thing about the rally is all team leaders, co- ordinators, volunteer their time ensuring all sponsorship goes direct to new materials and teacher training rather than organisational "running costs"
I initially started this blog as a platform for the sponsors to see their pictures, but now with the advent of interest from the European Space Agency and the upcoming installation of KZN satellite communication systems including 2 desk top PC's and 6 Tablet computers in each of 12 schools it seems to be a future reality that the children might actually get to see their pictures too.
Many thanks to Pamela Richardson, the Rally founder and Iris Francis the National Rally Organiser for inviting me back, their tireless work and effort in co-ordinating the rally each year is a true inspiration, its been an incredible journey leaving me with so many precious memories. Thank you also to the many sponsors involved, You have all helped to create each set of photographs, helping raise worldwide awareness of this wonderful cause .
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