Mid-Ennerdale Primary is a very popular school in the suburb of Ennerdale, with an annual learner roll of 1800 learners from grade R to 7 and an admissions waiting list running into many pages. This is due to the outstanding management team and the very good standard of education provided under difficult conditions. When Hyundai Korea and South Africa requested to take on a second library sponsorship, it was the reputation of this school that caught their attention.
At present the roll at the school has grown to over 2000 learners. The thought of managing such a large school is mind-boggling and nerve wracking to say the least – but the principal and his team soldier on tirelessly, and with genuine creative energy and care.
The first classroom that was offered for the new library was not big enough. A teacher occupying the adjacent classroom volunteered to move to a mobile classroom; the two rooms were joined, which doubled the space available for the blue-and-white corporate colours of the Hyundai brand. We were inspired by the commitment of the educators to the project, and the extent with which they valued the donation.
The rebuilding work on the two classrooms was intensive as the roofs leaked, and the original materials used to construct them were old and brittle.
Our team of contractors worked through the challenges and in a few months, we had a huge, brand new library ready for clients with over 10 000 books. We appointed two library assistants due to the school’s population, and what was to become a frenetic demand for books, and more books, and for the rollout of the literacy programme.
To date, the numbers of learners using the library daily from 07h00 to 16h00 is most encouraging. Parents are also keenly involved in visiting the library and reading while waiting for their children.
