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Principal Lynette Daniels shares the teaching duties with 3 other teachers and the warm relationship they have with the children is very evident in the smiles and laughter among the children who listen to their teachers and do their bidding without any trouble at all.
The rudimentary buildings were supplemented by shipping containers but this was not an ideal place for young children to spend their time. In the December 2004 issue of the local magazine Full Circle, the plight of Green Curtains was highlighted and called for community support to assist in whatever way possible. Several local companies have assisted since then but Green Curtains needed a fundamental improvement which came with the help of the Cape of Good Hope Rotary Club.
Under the Project Management of Past President Hans Zwets and Treasurer Joe Diener responsible for the finances and administration, the Cape of Good Hope Rotarians raised R685 000 to build and furnish a school building and playground for Green Curtains.
"We managed to procure materials and skills at discounted prices," explains Hans. "Which means that, for R685 000, we will be building a facility worth R1.3-million." "Generous donations have been made by people and businesses in the area," Joe discloses, "As well as matching grants from the Rotary clubs of Badneuenahr-Ahrweiler and Remagen-Sinzig, District 1810 in Germany and South Holland in Spalding, District 1070 in England, funds have also been donated from Canada, Ireland, Sweden and Switzerland."
The new Green Curtains opened in April 2008. Perhaps the most exciting thing about the new building is that it can accommodate another 60 children, bringing the number of children who are looked after on a daily basis from 40 to 100. The new building comprises a large general activities room, a kitchen, a teacher's room/sickbay, two classrooms and ablutions. The building is furnished with desks, chairs and other educational items. The gardens are landscaped and include a playground for the children.
Herbie Eichel, owner of the Fish Hoek Galley Restaurant, recognised that the pre-school had to be more than a building. It had to have the facilities to educate the children. He stepped in and made donations of over R25 000 to pay for educational and administrative equipment such a computers, photocopiers, books and games.
An appeal for volunteers was also made through Full Circle Magazine that saw in excess of 400 people come forward to offer their and skills to assist the children to learn English and prepare them for Grade 1.
The E-T-E Fund (E-T-E ) will also select the five top potential children from Green Curtains each year and sponsor their education from Grade 1 through University.
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