Mukhanyo elementry school is also known as Musawenkosi.

This means: God is merciful.

This elementary school was established by an American couple in 2010. They were struck by the numbers of orphaned children they saw wandering around Kwamblange, the former capital of the former homeland Kwandabele. This poverty-stricken area lies about 70 km north east of Pretoria in South Africa.

The school began with one class: grade one, and every year a grade was added. Currently there are six grades (of the seven that an elementary school here normally has) and a kindergarten (grade R). The school has 94 pupils.

Vision

The school wishes to provide education to orphans and children from one parent families. The basis of this education is the reformed faith.

School Board

The board responsible for the school consists of (foster)parents and the headmaster of the school. They have the mandate to hire staff and to determine policy. They also are the legal contact for the department of education. As corporate body they are responsible for the school and its basis.

Staff

The (seven) teachers receive a salary that is about half what they would receive at a state school. They have no medical coverage nor do they build up any kind of pension. They carry out their teaching jobs convinced that Christian education is a must for these impoverished children.

Pupils and their background

Most parents of these pupils have died of. The foster-parents are very poor and give a small contribution to the school from the meager income they have. Most of these caretakers are convinced of the need for Christian education. This is a unique attitude in a region populated by traditional African tribes.

Legal basis for existence

The school has entered the process of registration to receiving legal recognition. That will open the door to financial support. Up until now the school receives no government support.

Finances

The school is partially supported (salaries and books) by an American church group running a charity called Friends of Mukhanyo: www.friendsofmukhanyo.com. They carry about 70% of the running costs. All remaining costs are covered by means of fundraising.
The charity Raad en Daad, (www.stichtingraadendaad.nl) based in Zeewolde, has as goal to obtain the remaining 30% in the Netherlands by means of fundraising.

The annual budget is 1.2 million rand per year.

At this time it is not yet possible to complete the elementary school by offering grade seven. As a result the pupils must finish their elementary education at another school.

Governance

Accountability for the American finances is the responsibility of a bookkeeper who reports to their auditors.

The charity Raad en Daad has a (Dutch ) Anbi trademark. Accountability for the financial statements can be found on the website.

View to the future

The short term goal is to offer grade seven as of January 2018.

The longterm goal is to replace the current Wendy house structures with a proper brick school building.

Projects to further self-sufficiency

Food

Because the pupils receive neither enough or a balanced meal at home the school provides two meals a day. The meal costs have been brought down by having a kitchen installed where the meals are prepared on site. Previously expensive processed read-to-eat meals were bought.

Food costs are 300.000 Rand per year (30.000 Rand per month for ten months; this supplies the staff and pupils with food). Inflation is 10% per year.

Garden

A garden has been planted. It has an educational purpose for the pupils and it provides food for the kitchen.

ICT

One of the staff members provides basic computer training for adults living in the vicinity of the school. This will commence after the July holiday.

The income generated is for the school.

Short term plans

The American charity Friends of Mukhanyo are willing to carry the costs for grade seven if the charity Raad en Daad can take over the financing of the food requirements.

To this end we are seeking funding in 2017.

We plan to approach DVN to cover the food needs for the period 2018-2020.

Websites

www.friendsofmukhanyo.com