A non-profit school recently welcomed a new Hino 35-seater school bus, which will help provide more transport access for disadvantaged learners.
Valued at R1,5 million, the bus was donated to Christel House South Africa by the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT) on Thursday 24 April.
Christel House South Africa is a no-fee, non-profit school based in Ottery and supports learners from disadvantaged communities, starting from Grade RR until age 18 and five years post matric, according to school spokesperson Lara Black.
The school held a ceremony to celebrate the donation last week.
At the launch, SAMCT trustee Faried Boltman said transport is one of the cornerstones of providing education.
School principal, Nassar Harris seen addressing the guests during the school’s bus launch ceremony. (Photo: Jade Page) Credit: Jade Page 
Christel House South Africa, CEO, Adri Marais expressed how important school buses are when it comes to providing the access to education. (Photo: Jade Page) Credit: Jade Page 
Grade 3 learners performed a musical item at the bus launch. (Photo: Jade Page) Credit: Jade Page 
South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT) trustee, Faried Boltman, Rasheeda Motala (SAMCT social responsibility officer) and Grade 3 learner, Aminah J. (Photo: Jade Page) Credit: Jade Page 
Christel House South Africa’s Grade 6 jazz band entertained the guests on the day. Photo: Keanan Harmse. Credit: Keanan Harmse. 
Learners of Christel House South Africa welcome their new Hino 20-seater school bus. Photo: Keanan Harmse Credit: Keanan Harmse
“We believe children need to be in school and transport plays a key role,” he pointed out, “which is why we identified the school bus as the appropriate donation.
“We are very pleased that the school has included us in its growth and future. Education, community development and empowerment are very important factors that we focus on.”
The SAMCT was founded in 2008, the result of a partnership between Old Mutual Unit Trusts and Al Baraka Bank.
“We are so grateful for this donation as transport is so important when it comes to providing access to education,” Black said. “Our (learners) face significant challenges getting to school.
“Our bus fleet of 17 serves 906 (learners), transporting them to and from school daily from 29 underserved communities across Cape Town. However, now we can support another 30 children with the bus when we go on educational excursions and university visits.”
Christel House also spends R8 million per annum on transport which also facilitates enrichment activities such as workplace exposure trips, and career seminars, according to Black.
“We’ll now be adding another 300 learners to our current 906 learner population. As (learner) numbers grow, the need for safe, reliable transportation becomes even more critical as a means of reaching more at-risk youth struggling in under-resourced communities.”
Christel House is also constructing a new high school as part of the school’s Replication Programme. The project is set to complete before the start of the new academic year.
Boltman also confirmed that their association will continue supporting their campus expansion.
“This is an organisation utterly dedicated to the education of young learners grappling with the effects of severe poverty daily. Its efforts and, indeed, its extraordinary and consistently impressive academic achievements with learners from impoverished economic backgrounds are to be applauded and encouraged.
“We are privileged to have been in the position to partner with Christel House South Africa and to assist in bringing its five-year campus expansion plan to reality.”
Black said the bus donation marks the launch of a partnership with the SAMCT.
For more information on Christel House South Africa, visit: https://sa.christelhouse.org/.
