Sometimes Not Just A School

PLEASE NOTE: THE CHILDREN IN THESE PHOTOS ARE OUR OWN PIKKEWYNTJIES. THE PHOTOS WERE CHOSEN TO SHOW WHY ABUSED CHILDREN RECOVER AT THIS SCHOOL.

Pikkewyntjies is a preschool. Its function is to prepare children in our community for formal schooling so they can find their feet quickly and enjoy their school days.

Most importantly Pikkewyntjies lays a great deal of emphasis on the importance of good relationships even with those who are not perhaps bosom buddies. Good manners, respect for the rules, for yourself and others, is stressed and taking time to notice beauty and to laugh and have fun.

Every now and then Child Welfare asks Zaan to take in abused children who have been taken away from their parents or who the schools cannot accommodate. She is asked to do this in order to help them rehabilitate in the happy, secure environment at Pikkewyntjies. None of these sad little people is ever turned away although it means a huge effort on the part of all the staff.

There have been small miracles over the years as when a little boy was brought to the school apparently mentally retarded, or so his grandmother said. It did take two years of unceasing care but when he eventually went to Grade 1, he achieved an astounding 89% for each of his subjects.

It illustrates doesn’t it, what affection and encouragement and affirmation can do for a lonely, neglected little child who has never known human warmth? It’s like feeding a starved body and watching it slowly fill out and recover its dormant skills.

It’s a remarkable, wonderful transformation to see.