Paper planes were in flight on Mandela Day when the University of the Western Cape (UWC) Library Services staff hosted activities for the learners and youth of Ashton Senior Secondary School. The outreach projects were in partnership with UWC Community Engagement and the NGO Change Agents South Africa to support a school in Ashton. 

Sitting at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains, the small rural town is easily overlooked by those travelling on Route 62, but in the heart of the town is Ashton Senior Secondary School. It serves as an educational beacon for the surrounding impoverished communities and farm labourers’ children. It has 1340 registered learners, and like many schools in the country, they deal with high learner retention between Grades 10 and 12. 
The school principal and an alumnus of UWC, Isak Antonie, highlighted the school's reliance on government funding as it operates as a no fee-paying school. The school takes in learners from approximately 19 surrounding feeder schools and strives to provide quality education to learners from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

A team of dedicated UWC librarians led the Mandela Day activities, which included folding and crafting paper planes. Teams of Grade 12 learners worked together to plan, build, and test their planes, realising the importance of teamwork, planning and attention to detail. 

One learner expressed how this exercise served as a reminder of the importance of planning and time management in their academic journey. With their final exams approaching, learners were encouraged to apply what they had learned during the competition and adopt routines and self-discipline to achieve Matric success.

Dr Shirlene Neerputh, the Director of the UWC Library Services, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the school for honouring the invitation and thanked all involved in providing service for lifelong learning.

 “UWC librarians are a proud partner in pursuit of student learning goals and personal growth. Our commitment to Ashton matriculants was to show them the value of discipline, time management and study groups for effective exam preparation - how to fly their life plane high, despite the odds they face, and to remember Madiba as a role model,” said Dr Neerputh. 

She also expressed her hope to welcome many of the Ashton learners to the UWC Library in 2024. As the event ended, the UWC Library generously donated an Academic Survival Kit, sponsored by Neesha Ramsumar, consisting of stationary and examination preparation information for the examinations.

During the event, Olin Kiewietz, the Director of Change Agents South Africa (NGO), delivered an impassioned address, inspiring learners to be attentive and actively participate. He commended the extraordinary efforts of the change agents (learners) at the school, who are part of the Ashwin Vyfer Mentorship Programme. This is an initiative aimed at supporting young boys to steer clear of street gangs and other challenges. 
Activities were also aimed at inspiring learners to dream big and embark on a higher education journey. Damaris Kiewiets, the UWC Community Engagement Liaison Officer, and Sylvester Jeffries, the UWC Learning and Teaching Librarian, shared their personal stories of achieving educational success despite setbacks and difficulties. They aimed to ignite the Grade 12's aspirations and instil in them the belief that tertiary education is not an unattainable dream but a genuine possibility within their reach. Wilhelm Muller, Civil Practitioner at Legal-Aid South Africa, spoke about the importance of taking studies seriously during the matric year and not allowing circumstances to hinder one's pursuit of life goals.

The UWC community and faculties are urged to join the cause and assist Ashton Senior Secondary School. Donations of books, stationery, school clothes, shoes, and other essential items are warmly welcomed to empower their learners and enrich their educational experience. By contributing to the school's needs, individuals can make a meaningful difference in the lives of these young learners and help bridge the gap between Grades 8 and 12.
 

For more information on how you can contribute to this initiative or future projects, please contact library@uwc.ac.za or dkiewiets@uwc.ac.za