I’m Amahle Dlamini. I am 7 years old. At Thanda, I have learned about different books… I like learning, I even told my family about the book we read about Hoppy, and when I grow up, I want to be a teacher so that I can share my love of learning.

Meet Amahle, a member of the Thanda After-school Programme’s Class of 2030! Through the implementation of our Creative Learning Curriculum, which disrupts traditional, ineffective, education models, we are supporting Amahle and children like her in their ability to learn, grow and lead in their lives and in their communities. We would like you to get to know our community more, so below are excerpts taken from interviews with Amahle, her After-school Facilitator, Zanele, and her guardian, Nomusa.

“I’m Amahle. I am 7 years old. At Thanda, I have learned about different books… I like learning, I even told my family about the book we read about Hoppy, and when I grow up, I want to be a teacher so that I can share my love of learning.”

Zanele Mabaso, Amahle’s After-School Facilitator

“I first met Amahle back when she was in Grade R, and even then she always had the initiative to be in leadership roles. She has a “reach for the stars” attitude. When we are doing art activities in class, sometimes she’ll do her art twice, not because she didn’t like her first one, but because she wants to see if she can do it better the second time around.

I can tell that being at Thanda gives her the freedom to make learning her playground. Her self-esteem and creativity have really grown in a positive light. As she develops personally, we also encourage her leadership development.

There was one incident where another girl in the class wanted to be friends with Amahle, but Amahle didn’t want to be friends with her. I pulled her aside and told her that she must realize that to be in a leadership position in class, it means some of the other children will look up to her, so she must learn to be a positive influence on them, and to share her love of learning. Funny enough, that same afternoon, Amahle was walking home with that same girl.”

Nomusa Dlamini, Amahle’s Grandmother

“Amahle is a very active child, she is very helpful in the house. Since going to Thanda, she has become more disciplined when it comes to her school work, and she has gotten better when it comes to the way she carries herself. She shows zeal for the work she does at Thanda, and even shows zeal for her regular school work.

If someone asked me about the Thanda After-school Programme, I would say take the child to Thanda! As I think about Amhale’s future, I want her to study and succeed. She said she wants to be a teacher and I hope that what she wants for herself comes to fruition.”

To meet some of Amahle’s other classmates and learn more about how you can support the class of 2030 to learn, grow, and lead visit our Class of 2030 post here.