Community Upliftment in South Africa
For over 10 years, the Bousema family and Kartula Adventures have been dedicated to the Lesedi community in Steenbokpan. We believe that true hospitality means caring for our neighbors. While our guests enjoy the beauty of Limpopo, we invite you to see the heart of its people.
Mmabana pre-primary improvement project
Background
The Lesedi community is an informal settlement located on municipal land. This peaceful area is home to Tswana and Afrikaans people, but it faces significant poverty. The Bousema family and Kartula Adventure have been actively involved in this community for approximately 10 years. The settlement lacks proper toilet facilities and running water, with most residents lacking electricity and cooking over open fires. Steenbokpan is quite isolated, and job opportunities are limited. The unemployment rate in the state is around 32%, but it is likely higher in this area. Local employment typically includes working in a few small shops, on ranches and farms, as trackers during hunting season, cleaners at lodges, skinners during hunting season, and day labourers. Housing primarily consists of makeshift structures made from tin sheets and wood. Since residents live rent-free on municipal land, they are not permitted to build permanent structures.
The Lesedi community is an informal settlement located on municipal land. This peaceful area is home to Tswana and Afrikaans people, but it faces significant poverty. The Bousema family and Kartula Adventure have been actively involved in this community for approximately 10 years. The settlement lacks proper toilet facilities and running water, with most residents lacking electricity and cooking over open fires. SteenbokpMmabana Pre-Primary, situated in the Lesedi rural settlement within the Steenbokpan community, serves about 45 children aged 6 months to 4 years. This private pre-primary school was established by Principal Lettah Setswkae in January 2024, following the closure of the previous pre-primary school in December 2023. Without this school, local children would have nowhere to go while their parents work. The school building is constructed from wood and netting, and the toilet facilities are in poor condition. We aim to provide the children with a proper classroom, kitchen area, and improved toilet facilities.an is quite isolated, and job opportunities are limited. The unemployment rate in the state is around 32%, but it is likely higher in this area. Local employment typically includes working in a few small shops, on ranches and farms, as trackers during hunting season, cleaners at lodges, skinners during hunting season, and day labourers. Housing primarily consists of makeshift structures made from tin sheets and wood. Since residents live rent-free on municipal land, they are not permitted to build permanent structures.
School fees
Parents contribute R300 (ZAR), roughly $17 per month, which is intended to cover staff salaries and food supplies if donations are insufficient.
Staff
Principle: Lettah Setswakae Sekoboane
Amount of Assistants: 2
The staff cooks, cleans and attends to the children.
Information
School Address: House number 285, Lesedi Rural Settlement, Steenbokpan, Limpopo 0555
Type of school: Private ( Not government-funded)
Donations: Kartula Adventures, Kuche Safari, Kujale Safari and international clients
Meals
Meals per day: 2 ( Breakfast & Lunch)
School tours
The pre-primary school organizes trips to Kartula Marula Deli, located about 2 miles away, where children enjoy snacks and painting activities. The deli arranges these outings at no cost to the school, providing a fun and enriching experience. The last day of school is also celebrated at the deli before the break.
We deliver non-perishable food to the pre-primary bi-weekly and provide meat donated by Kuche Safari each week. When we visit town, we bring fruit and vegetables, although the lack of a proper refrigerator makes it challenging to store fresh produce. During our visits to the school, we fill out a visitors’ log and record all contributions for accurate record-keeping.
List of Goods Delivered
Monthly Groceries:
- Sugar
- Tea
- Maize Meal
- Mabela Porridge
- Canned Food
- Meat
- Wipes
- Toilet Paper
- Apples
- Cabbage
- Milk
Supplies:
- First-aid kit
- Pre-loved toys
- Pre-loved books
- Pre-loved bookcase
- Carpets for playtime
- Bulk paper
- Paint
- Crayons
- Colouring books
- Cleaning supplies
- Linen
- Educational toys
- Puzzles
- Mattresses
- Blankets
Completed Projects
- Sustainable Food
- School Supplies
Our initial goal was to ensure the children received one proper meal daily. Thanks to our partnership with Kuche Hunting Safaries South Africa and Kujale Hunting Safaries, we have successfully exceeded this goal, and the children now enjoy two meals a day: breakfast and lunch. However, we still face challenges in providing fresh fruit, vegetables, and dairy products due to the lack of a proper refrigerator.
When I first visited the school, the children had no toys, school supplies, play area, or sufficient food. The Bousema family initially provided puzzles, paint, pre-loved books, and essential food supplies for the school. Thanks to the generosity of Kuche Hunting Safaries South Africa, Kujale Hunting Safaries, and several other families, especially the Sieman, Allison, Hayes, Cooley, de Freitas, and de Kock families, we’ve been able to equip the school with the following:
- Soccer balls
- Pre-loved dolls
- Pre-loved books
- Pre-loved bookcase
- Educational toys
- Paint
- Bulk paper
- Colouring books
- Crayons
- Choke Black boards and choke
- Carpets for playtime
- Pencils
- Sharpeners
- Glue
- Lenin
- Mattresses
- Blankets
- Outside carpets
This is an ongoing project, as the children use it every day. We would love to have some desks for the children to work at.
Current Projects
We are working to create a safe space for the children. We have provided a first aid kit, and the Sieman family has generously donated bulk wet wipes. Kartula Adventures supplies them with monthly toilet paper. However, the current toilet facilities are not safe; the water comes from a single pipe protruding from the ground, with no tap for proper access.
Water and Sanitary Project Plan
- Water Supply
- Toilet Area
We plan to extend the water line and install a tap by the end of October 2024, funded by Kartula Adventures. This improvement will provide a designated area where children can wash their hands and collect water for preparing food.
The project involves building a concrete foundation, digging and installing a drainage line, installing 2 toilets and 2 basins with taps, establishing a plumbing system, installing a water reservoir, and constructing a wooden log structure with two doors. The estimated cost of the project is R45,000 ($2,500). So far Kartula Adventures has donated R5,000 ($250), leaving R40,000 ($2,250) funding still required to complete the project.
Future Projects
- Rebuild School
- Outside Play Area
The school cannot be built as a permanent structure since it is located on municipal land within a rural settlement. Therefore, the plan is to construct the school in the form of a log home (Wendy House). Kartula Adventures is currently working with the municipality to understand all relevant regulations and requirements for building this structure. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Currently, the children have the opportunity to play outside with soccer balls and old vehicle tyres. The Allison family has generously donated outdoor carpets to help protect them from sitting on the hot sand. In the near future, our goal is to provide a safe outdoor jungle gym with shade, as temperatures can reach up to 109°F (43°C) during the summer months. The budget for the jungle gym is R15,000 ($900).
Support Our Cause
Help us create a safe, nurturing environment for the children of the Lesedi community. Your donation directly supports Mmabana Pre-Primary by providing:
- Essential Infrastructure: Building proper classrooms and toilet facilities.
- Early Development: meaningful care for 45 children aged 6 months to 4 years.
- Community Impact: A safe place for kids to learn while parents work to support their families.
Invest in a brighter future today. Every contribution builds a stronger foundation for these young students.