Barry Nobles, a committed Christel House supporter, recently volunteered for an extended stay at Christel House South Africa in Cape Town. A career High School counselor, Barry has a keen eye not only for what works but why...

He writes...

It is the mission that attracted me.

My wife and I were looking for a place to donate some money and used the website Charity Navigator as a guide. Christel House was one of the top charities listed and I can see why. What happens here is precisely what your literature claims. The school strives to serve the poorest of the poor giving them an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty. But what attracted me most was the understanding that it is not education alone that these students need. Underpinning the education is a network of values education building dignity and self-worth. As a child learns respect for themselves and others, they grow into young adults with a belief in themselves strong enough to surmount all the challenges they face. Those challenges are many.

Having been a high school counselor for 38 years I know being an adolescent is difficult even under the most privileged of circumstances. But to hear the stories of these young people who leave the safe haven of this school every day facing abject poverty, drugs, violence, disease, and discouragement makes one wonder how they even make it to school, let alone actually succeed.

The 97% graduation rate of the first class speaks volumes about the success of Christel House. But it then begs the question...what makes it work?

I don't believe it is the promise of a good education for we all are aware that we don't always do what is good for us. Helpful as it may be, it is not the first rate curriculum the school offers. These kids are learners but it is not the learning that keeps them working. What about the identity to school? The uniforms, the awards, and the promise of success taken together are strong motivators. Kids love to prove themselves and the climate is set here to encourage one to be part of the school family. It is an honor to earn a school tie.

Yet is that strong enough to overcome the gravity of the townships? By itself, probably not. What then is the Christel House secret? Perhaps it is the core values which are taught in hundreds of ways. Through continued reinforcement, learners are taught integrity, responsibility, independence and respect. They do learn these things at almost an unconscious level. But I do not think students rise above the challenges in their lives because they are offered dignity.

No, students endure here and succeed here because they are loved.

They wear the uniforms, they stay up late hours studying, they iron their shirts, they conform, they try to please because someone here cares. Teachers care deeply for their students and they feel it. The learners here know that what they do matters to someone and they can be successful in the eyes of those who care for them. But of course they test it. They rebel, they challenge, they back slide, and do all the things any other teenager would do. Plus, they bring with them the emotional baggage that their circumstances create. They come to school after a weekend shooting. They come to school after their mother dies the day before. Students are taught, parented, respected and nurtured by Christel House Staff.

And who do these learners dump this pressure on? The very people who care about them - the staff at Christel House. Counselors, social workers, teachers... all of them. It takes a huge amount of energy to shape the life of one child. It takes that much more to shape the life of 750.

Barry also recognized a need for more staff support and we are following up on his recommendation. We appreciate his time spent, expert analysis, candid words above and his support of Christel House. Barry also put together a website of his great photos and reflections.

You too can help us help more children. If you're interested in visiting and/or volunteering, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Labels: South Africa, teacher, testimonial, visitor