A state-of-the-art study room is the latest addition to Iziko Lobomi’s facilities to aid students in the community.
The need for the room at the popular Imizamo Yethu community centre was born out of the existing computer room becoming too cramped.
Tebo Backward, who runs classes from the computer room, was finding that school pupils and university students were increasingly using the room to do their homework and assignments, putting tremendous pressure on his scheduling and teaching times.
In December, he approached Hennie Jacobs, treasurer of the Hout Bay Christian Community Association (HBCCA), which runs Iziko Lombomi, to assist.
Mr Backward has taught computer literacy to pupils from Sentinel Primary and Oranjekloof Moravian Primary schools since 2004, in addition to overseeing adult classes in the computer room.
“My time is very structured with the classes I run, so having pupils coming in to do homework was becoming an issue. “Noise pollution in this community is crazy, so I did understand the students needed a quiet place to work. That was when I approached Hennie, and he liked the idea.”
Six weeks ago, the team, with the assistance of local labour, set about converting the container office, which falls within the complex, into the study room.
The room features 12 work stations separated by cubicles. Each is fitted with a plug point so that pupils and students can charge their cellphones, while there are also two computer stations for research and printing purposes.
“The study room will be open between 7am and 8pm, and booking is overseen by our coffee shop team. During the prime time hours of 3pm to 6pm, we ask that pupils pay R1 an hour to use the room,” Mr Jacobs explained.
“I imagine that during the upcoming exams, our bookings are going to be crazy.”
The men appreciated that with Hout Bay’s main library closing at 6pm, students needed another facility to study when required.
The study room is not the only project the HBCCA has been working on.
Plans are already in motion to convert and make use of the existing crèche as a lecture room and library, which will include a smart TV, screens, whiteboards and shelves of books.
“The lecture room will be used to look after the little ones from 7am to 6pm while their parents are at work. Thereafter, students can have access to YouTube to watch informational sessions and read up on a variety of subjects. Guest lecturers will be invited to give talks to the community,” Mr Jacobs said.
“My hope is that business people will get involved and deliver lectures on how people can improve on their professional skills. The lecture room would be open to people of all ages, including those from Camps Bay and Constantia. I am very excited about this project.”
Conversion of the new facility is expected to take place at the start of the mid-year school holidays.
