BEING THE BACKBONE, NOT THE WISHBONE…
WELCOME TO FOUNDATION BACKBONE!
Being the Backbone and not the Wishbone, is the drive behind our vision. We equip children for life, through a leadership development program based on Christian principles. We are giving hope to the kids, their parents and build stronger communities that overflow into making South Africa a better place.
We reach out, support and empower the Grade 7 prefects of 3 primary schools, Hermes Primary, Chatsworth Primary and Mamre Primary based in the Greater Atlantis community.
Our vision includes to expand to reach all 15 primary schools in Atlantis. The foundation is self-funded and with the support of a fundraising Golf Day organised by Synergy, a data management company we are able to continue our mission.
Foundation Backbone has been registered as a Section 21 company, and as a Public Benefit Organisation with SARS. We produce annual audited Financial statements and we are B-BEE compliant. This means corporate funders can receive full CSI contribution towards their B-BBEE scorecards.
Hermes Primary School
The school was inaugurated in 1985 and today Hermes is one of 10 Primary schools in the City of Atlantis. The school faced a variety of challenges in 2001 and it deteriorate to the level were some parents even withdraw their kids from the school. The learners and teachers quantities dropped dramatically. The school was on its way to become obsolete, and the School Board realised to save the school they had to intervene and come up with a solution. The principle, Mr Marthinus said: “We knew strong Leadership and focus were key elements to come up with a strategy that would change the situation around and create a path to become a school of significance again. We transformed into a double medium school, invested in promoting the school’s image to the outside world. We approached Worldvision and Foundation Backbone came on board to assist in our vision.” Today they have the highest growth in Atlantis, with 883 pupils from Gr R to Gr 7. Foundation Backbone focussed on discipline and provided Leadership skills to the learners. They had the buy-in from the teachers, that were committed to the vision. Still to today Foundation Backbone plays a significant role in our school and make a real difference to our community. Foundation Backbone has a VIP ticket from the School Board to visit the school at any time without making an appointment. Both the school and the community respect the presence of Foundation Backbone and treasure their input. As educators we have a huge responsibility and we are grateful to be supported by this Foundation keeping our spirits high. Because of the changes and the improved environment, ie the school is clean, neat and tidy, the learners enthusiasm towards their schoolwork has improved. We are proud of our achievements, and will keep improving. We know with the support and the Leadership skills development program of Foundation Backbone we will reach our goal.
Chatsworth Ame Primary School
Chatsworth Ame Primary school opened their doors for the first time in 1906. It is situated in the small community of Chatsworth and is one of two primary schools in the area. Most of the learners are from the surrounding farmers community. Mr Hendricks is the current principle and he is assisted by 5 permanent teachers. The school is challenged for space and keeps on growing.
At the end of 2014 Foundation Backbone made contact with the school, took a step in faith and included Chatsworth into the program. At first we integrated the events, and learners attended the program in combination with Hermes. We soon realised that the learners would have bigger value when attending in smaller groups. We embarked on the journey presenting the Leadership program at each school separately.
Mr Hendricks is excited and grateful for the partnerships and explained that it changed the dynamics of the school. “Not only does the individual child benefit from the program, but through their change in behavior, the whole school benefitted. The Lower Graders have true Leaders to look up to and the positive attitudes that developed over time in our learners are noticeable .”
“We view the contribution of Foundation Backbone as key to our current successes!”
Mamre Primary School
Mamre Primary School serves a small, up country community of about eight thousand residence. The original school building was located at the Moravian Church Yard called “Die Werf” where education was part of the church’s portfolio. They moved from the church yard into the new government buildings at Johannes Street Mamre in 1993. Currently they have a learner total of 745 learners (Grade R to Grade 7). The principle Pieter Februarie is inspired and told us: “Though most of the learners are coming from extreme poverty, we are proud to say that a lot of our ex learners are doing well as adults in our community, having good jobs.”
They have done two sporting tours to the UK, in 1999 and in 2012 where they played rugby against various schools. They have a school choir participating in the local Eisteddfod competition every year.
As part of their curriculum, they also maintain a food garden. The learners are very involved in the process and it has a positive impact. The garden provides food to the feeding scheme project and at the same time generate a small income to the school funds.
“In 2016 we were offered the opportunity to be part of the Leadership program through one of our teachers who is associated with the Foundation. Foundation Backbone has been such a blessing to our school. Our learners that take part in their programs has been inspired and the positive influence and growth are noticeable. These valuable lessons that they have gained will stay with them and will take them through their school career as well as into life as a whole.”
