The nation’s flag flies proudly in the centre of the dusty expanse of playground at Blomvlei Primary School. No lush school fields, treed lunch areas or tarred driveways for parents to drive up to school and drop off their children. This is the harsh reality of schooling on the Cape Flats. Windswept, dry and a daily challenge for many parents to simply pay their school fees…… as unemployment creeps steadily upward.

But Blomvlei Primary is a school with heart. Numerous fundraising events take place to help those in need. So when DreamWorker stepped in to assist with the “Parents Working for School Fees Programme” via our Link of Love donations, well, we were welcomed with open arms!

As the term neared its close we met up with some of the parents who have signed up to participate in the programme.

Robert McKenna is a handyman who can fix just about anything! He has been helping out with maintenance and gardening at the school, to support his 8 year old daughter. It is his long term dream to find permanent employment again, but for now, the R50 he takes home and the R50 that goes towards his fees is making a difference in his life.

Wakiela Esselaar and Sylmore van Reenen are both helping out in the classrooms, giving the teachers much needed support. Sylmore also helps with administration and Wakiela dreams of teaching Islamic studies full time. But while they admit it is really tough being unemployed, they both love coming to school to lend a hand.

“And our children can see us working here and making an effort to pay their fees” says Robert. “It really means something to us”.