Learners of Bishop Lavis School of Skills got to experience Table Mountain for the first time on Thursday 20 March, thanks to an outreach project made possible by Ignisive – ignite inclusive change, a Camps Bay-based organisation.
The organisation is a collaboration of various entities, from local government to police, businesses and residents.
Theresa Massaglia, co-founder of the initiative, said the trip aimed to encourage the learners to dream big and excel academically.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to take the children from Bishop Lavis up Table Mountain, and equally heartbreaking to hear of the struggles that no child should face.
“This school is a lifesaver for so many children who struggle with the mainstream school academic system.
“It’s been important for us to work proactively with the children, to try and help them stay in school.
“One of the things we have learnt along the way is that a lot of the kids can’t make it through mainstream schools, and I wish we could have more schools of skills.”
Massaglia said for some of the learners this was their first visit to the mountain.
“We want to encourage them to find their strengths and to help them find their uniqueness.
“We tell them they can reach their full potential and achieve their goals. It was awesome to see their faces and how in awe they were. It is important for them to see a world beyond their environment.”
Massaglia expressed her gratitude to everyone who made the trip possible.
“A huge thanks to Camps Bay police’s Sergeant Glynnis Bester who, with the Ignisive Team, initiated and pulled this event together in record time.”
