Oprah’s Angel Network

In remote areas of South Africa, getting a good education doesn’t come easy. Children, eager to learn, often must walk miles to school only to endure dilapidated classrooms that are hot in the summer and cold in the winter, many without water, electricity, libraries and playgrounds.

After visiting South Africa during its ChristmasKindness show in 2002, Oprah Winfrey and her staff saw firsthand these conditions across the country and decided to do something about it.

Donations from viewers poured in, and Oprah’s Angel Network began planning and consulting with community members to build the Seven Fountains Primary School in Kwa-Zulu Natal province as part of its Creating Schools Project. In 2007, with the help of local residents and the local department of education, the school opened its doors to 1,000 students. It was the first of its kind, a school built by the community for the community, and designed in eco-friendly, innovative ways that could overcome resource constraints and a harsh climate.

The Seven Fountains Primary School was featured in the
January 2009 issue of O: The Oprah Magazine, South Africa.

Read the article by Glynis Horning: Fountains of Hope

New School Planned

With the success of the Seven Fountains Primary School established, the Angel Network will contribute to another new school project, with construction scheduled to start in the spring of 2009.

Vele High School in Limpopo will implement the same innovative design that Durban-based design specialist East Coast Architects applied to Seven Fountains. Buildings are designed to maximize light and reduce noise, utilize renewable energy to help power the facilities and even use stored rainwater to flush the toilets when water supplies are strained.

© 2008 Oprah’s Angel Network

© 2008 Oprah’s Angel Network

© 2008 Oprah’s Angel Network

© 2008 Oprah’s Angel Network

The blueprint for the new high school in a deeply rural area of Limpopo features three science labs, a library and media center, a community center and gardens and a sports field.

Students at the current Vele High School in Limpopo are eager to learn—even in dilapidated classrooms.

Students enjoy a moment outside to work on their homework.

Seven Fountains Primary School has become the centerpiece of the community in KwaZulu-Natal province.

Previous Slide

...

...

Next Slide

Serving Students and Communities

“We’ve been struggling in order to get good facilities,” said Samuel Makhado, principal of Vele High School, “but at long last Oprah’s Angel Network came to the rescue.”

The new Vele High School project will refurbish existing buildings and add several new ones. Upon completion, it will house 640 students in 16 classrooms. It will feature three science labs, a media center and, depending on the generosity of donors, a new sports field and nutrition center. At night, certain areas of the school will remain open so that adults can learn how to use computers and get skills training.

An interesting feature is the community garden space, which will help feed the students and serve as an educational resource to learn about food production. Students will also use the school’s design as an educational opportunity, learning about the solar power panels in science and the reed bed filtration systems in geology.

Once the school is constructed, teachers will receive additional skills training and support to make sure the schools get off on the right foot.

Oprah’s Angel Network is currently providing $750,000 to Vele while the South African Department of Education is scheduled to furnish the remaining money.