Another worthy community project was completed thanks to a Global Conservation Force (GCF) ecotour! The Rainbow Pre-School finished a well-deserved make-over with funding from the July 2022 GCF ecotour. Ecotour members were able to visit the Rainbow Pre-School for a tour and meet the founder and teacher, Phumla Nombewu.
The Rainbow Pre-School is located in rural Klipfontein, outside of Kenton-on-Sea, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Thirty-eight students ranging in ages from 8 months to 5 years old are currently enrolled at the school.
The pre-school began in 2018 and quickly outgrew the small building they started in. In March 2020, the pre-school building was extended with corrugated iron sheets and wood. The Kariega Foundation and the Kariega Conservation Volunteer Programme renovated the main Rainbow Pre-School building in April 2022. GCF ecotour funding made the upgrade to the extension possible. The extension was broken down and rebuilt with bricks and cement in July 2022.
The old Rainbow Pre-School extension prior to renovations. The extension was added to the main building to accommodate the growing number of children at the pre-school.
The Rainbow-Pre-School extension renovation included tearing down the old corrugated metal addition and replacing it with cement and bricks.
The upgraded extension features:
- 2 toilet cubicles with sink for washing hands
- Office space for principal
- Classroom
- Sleeping area for nap time
- Kitchen area with fridge, prep table, and sink
Phumla and the children absolutely loved seeing their new and improved colorful school and can now learn about wildlife in a more comfortable environment.
To learn more about GCF ecotours and volunteer programs, please visit https://globalconservationforce.org/conservation-volunteer-programs/.