My name is Melokuhle Mbhele. I am 6 years old. At Thanda, we learn how to color in, how to cut and make masks, watch movies, draw and read books. I enjoy drawing. When I grow up, I hope to be a police officer.
Meet Melokuhle, aka Melo, 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 Melokuhle and children like him 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 Melokuhle, his After-school Facilitator, Sindy, and his guardian, Nomzamo Mbhele.
“My name is Melokuhle and I’m 6 years old! At Thanda, we learn how to read, to color in and draw, to cut and make masks for our plays, and we get to watch movies! My favourite is drawing. When I grow up, I hope to be a police officer!”
Sindy, Melo’s After-school Facilitator
“The way Melo interacts with the other children is open. He loves playing, he loves sharing, and he loves helping! The first time I met Melo, even though he was friendly and open then too, he used to be reluctant when it came to doing activities. He enjoyed being at Thanda, but when he tried to do an activity with any difficulty, he would quit and find something else to do. Over time, he has improved and now when something is difficult, he doesn’t quit, he tries again. He even takes his work home to show his guardians! This new persevering attitude of his has encouraged his self-esteem.
Recently, I realized he’s starting to pick up on the skills we teach at Thanda. There was one instance in which he was colouring a mask, but he was in a rush to finish. After he finished, he saw that the other children had very beautifully coloured in their masks. He came to me and asked for a new one so he can redo his because has had scribbled on his first one. After that, he took his time and coloured it in beautifully. He’s kept the mask ever since!”
Nomzamo Mbhele, Melo’s Guardian
“Melo was born in this community and he grew up here. It’s just him and I living together here, our other family is in Durban. He is very attentive, and if he has gone somewhere, he will come back and tell you exactly what happened. He loves people and other children. Since he started Thanda, I see a change in his attitude because he has become more free and
confident. He loves listening and reading books! He asks me to help him with his school work now and he looks forward to reading.
I saw the work that Thanda was doing for other children in the community and the many activities that they have for them. That is why I wanted him to Melo to join Thanda After-school, so that he could be a well-rounded and grounded child.
I would like people to know that Thanda helps children. You will find that during the day at school, there are many students in class and there are few teachers. Thanda After-school aids in ensuring that what was learned in class is reinforced. If a child didn’t understand the content in class, Thanda takes the time to help them learn.”
To meet some of Melo’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.
