Global Conservation Force Ecotour Helps Fund Pre-School Renovations

Global Conservation Force Ecotour Helps Fund Pre-School Renovations
September 1, 2022 admin
Mural with cartoon animals. A monkey hangs from a branch of a tree on the left. To the right is a zebra, tortoise, rhino, lion, giraffe, and elephant. Another tree is on the right.

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.

A brown corregated metal extension behind a small concrete building.

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.

A building from the right side. A brick addition extends off the back of a small cement building.

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.

Eleven people posing in front of a small cement building.

To learn more about GCF ecotours and volunteer programs, please visit https://globalconservationforce.org/conservation-volunteer-programs/.