My daughter Nikita (7 years) is a year 2 student, enrolled in the International School of Hout Bay.
She lives in the Houtbay township called Imizamo Yethu. When I applied for my daughter to get a place at the school, it was obvious that she would only be able to get a place with the help of CHELO.
I am the only parent who brings income for the family so Nikita would not be able to make it without the financial assistance at the school. When it is a rainy-season I have no income. I work as a freelance tourist guide in Imizamo Yethu township. My job entails taking people around my township so that they can learn about the history and heritage of this community. For the last years I have been able to sustain life from the earnings of the tours.
When there was no other school in the area of Hout Bay to enroll Nikita for year 1, the CHELO programme came to the rescue. According to me everything happens for a reason. The International School of Hout Bay has always been a dream for my child, so not getting a place in any of the other schools seems like a luck in disguise now. Thank you to CHELO, the principal of the ISHB, the parents, the staff and everyone for giving Nikita this lifetime opportunity
Enkosi Kakhulu!