I left Boland College last week with a throb in my throat.  The students had been giving their full attention to the educators as they were completing the last module of their plumbing and bricklaying course.

There are twenty-five students remaining out of the original group, and this has been stable now for the past month.  Thirteen are bricklayers and twelve are plumbers.  They have been instructed in a large number of tasks, have been assessed on a weekly basis, and have become proficient in all of them. Five of the bricklayers and three of the plumbers are outstanding as they have attended all the days.

I have interviewed the educators and asked them about their experiences with the learners.  They gave me a broad smile and said that it was a very challenging and interesting time.  They got very emotionally attached to all of the students as they came from very poor and struggling backgrounds and each one’s story pulled at the heartstrings.

All the students that I then interviewed said that the course has helped them to learn and to support one another.  The entire exercise has helped them to build up their own confidence and develop their character. They have matured and have grown closer to one another within their individual groups.  Well, that is what team work is all about, isn’t it?

The graduation ceremony is being held today ( 9^th of June 2011) in the auditorium at Boland College at 11.00 a.m.   The students will be given their certificates as well as a toolbox containing a basic set of tools for either bricklaying or plumbing to help them on their way, we are so proud of all the students.