History

Vuleka turned 20 years old in 2009!

The background

Vuleka had its birth in the crisis in black education of the late 1980's.  Township schools for the most part were under-resourced and dysfunctional, and many black parents wanted their children out of the townships during the day, in schools that worked and educated in a language that they saw as being essential for their children's future success.  The only 'open' schools then were the independent schools, and their doors often remained closed to the child with few English language skills.  Hence the name of the newly created Anglican church educational project:  "Vuleka" - which means 'to open up, to enlighten'.

The Vuleka programme was designed to put previously disadvantaged children into a more efficient branch of the education system.  It was designed to overcome the difficulties children face when the medium of instruction is not the mother tongue. 

The beginnings

Vuleka started in 1989 with 59 children in 4 classes.  At the end of that year, 21 children were placed in private schools.  In 1990, 11 teachers, with 7 teaching assistants, taught 170 children in five venues, and at the end of 1990 88 children were placed in private or state schools.

Vuleka has continued to prosper, under God's guidance, and today we cater for nearly 600 children in 28 classes, at eight venues.  Our children are welcomed into state and private schools when they are ready to leave us.

   Susan Germond with a class in 1989          Grade 1 girls in 1990

Vuleka heads past and present: Melanie Sharland, Susan Germond and Carrie Mercado

Assembly at St Martin's

The Bishop of Johannesburg at the opening of 19 Jellicoe Avenue