We are proud to announce that our longtime not-for-profit partner, Good Work Foundation (GWF), has launched Huntington Digital Learning Campus (HuntDLC).
HuntDLC is GWF’s fourth digital learning campus and is located in Huntington village in Mpumalanga, bordering the Sabi Sand Wildtuin.
We debated long and hard about how we share this story, in particular its significance to Londolozi and the guests of Londolozi (all the way back to those who joined us in the 1970’s). In the end we picked three photos that explain it all:
Photo 1: Linky Nkuna does a twirl
The Acting Head of the new Huntington Digital Learning Campus and the Head of Justicia Digital Learning Campus (two of South Africa’s most rural “future” learning facilities) started her career at Londolozi as a babysitter. Linky Nkuna went on to become a Camp Manager, before following her passion for South Africa’s youth and joining the GWF team. Linky is now a Mandela Washington Fellow and an inspiration to so many rural youth, constantly shouting the message: “You are beautiful, you can do it.” Many of you will have met her before; she is a courageous woman and we are lucky to have her as a leader in our community. Under Linky’s leadership, and hundreds of hours of careful management, Huntington campus went from dream to reality.
Linky Nkuna at the launch of the Huntington Digital Learning Campus.
Photo 2: The original chef is back!
The first ever learning centre in Mpumalanga was based at Londolozi. It was there that Kate and Maureen Groch (“Gogo Mo”) incubated many of their ideas for a digital learning model for rural communities. We still call the Londolozi Learning Centre the “lab” and we are immensely proud that this was the beginning of Hazyview, Justicia, Huntington and three more campuses in the pipeline. One of Londolozi’s first digital students was Spook Sithole, Londolozi’s original head chef (he started at Londolozi in the 1970s!). And guess where Mr. Spook lives… Huntington village, and yes, he was at the launch. Now his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and their friends have the opportunity to access a digital learning campus in their village. Unbelievably, GWF now reaches over 5000 children per week with their digital learning programme in Mpumalanga.
Maureen Groch, Spook Sithole (the original Londolozi chef) and Kate Groch (GWF CEO).
Photo 3: Rural traffic
Back in the 2007 many people believed that a digital learning centre model of education wasn’t possible in rural South Africa. “Leave it to the schools to sort out,” they said. Now, in 2017, together with GWF, we are immensely proud of the fact that on the very edges of South Africa, world-class learning is reaching the most rural communities, and the success stories are remarkable. Have a look at Helen Sibuyi, who is soon to leave for Italy, or Deliwe Tibane, who started as a labourer and is now an administrator. Not only has GWF proven the naysayers wrong, they have partnered with the Mpumalanga Department of Education to work collaboratively on ways to reimagine education, thinking outside of the box to make more possible for more young people.
Rural traffic at the new Huntington Digital Learning Campus.
We would like to extend a special thank you to the More family and the More Community Trust who have funded the latest digital learning campus in Huntington.
We were touched by Robert More’s speech at the launch of the campus and we couldn’t agree more: “Life ultimately comes down to just two things. How we have served and how we have given and received love.”
Lastly we would like to say a warm Londolozi thank you to David and Evelyn White, and Larry and Christie Hierholzer. Both couples are wonderful guests to Londolozi who generously contributed to the establishment of Huntington Digital Learning Campus.
If you would like to contribute to the GWF education revolution, click here or alternatively, you can contact GWF’s Head of Development, Ryan James.
Hi Ryan,
Very exciting news and a wonderful accomplishment! I look forward to seeing the Huntington school in August!
What a beautiful blog Ryan. If you believe, anything is possible. This is truly wonderful for the kids and very generous of those who have helped to make it happen. Londolozi Family are truly remarkable people and you all deserve a big pat on the back. Good luck in your ventures. A happy story for sure.
Many thanks Lea. We would love you to follow all of GWF’s stories on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodworkfoundation. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Can’t wait to show you Jill 🙂