Plett Tourism is excited to show support and share exciting news about the new Tebelo Lighthouse project – a non-profit organisation working actively within vulnerable communities. Building on a decade of community development in Gauteng, Tebelo Lighthouse started in 2021 in Plettenberg Bay. Tebelo NPC works actively in the community to improve the well-being of families and empower individuals through education and upliftment. The centre can be found on Portion 10, Farm 434, Holt Hill, N2, Plettenberg Bay.
Tebelo in partnership with Africa Skills College will start its first learnership programme on 1 September 2023. The first of these will be an artisan baking course which will run from 1 September – 30 November 2023. Private sponsors have come forward and will support 5 bakers from communities in New Horizons, Kranshoek, Kwanokathula and Qolweni.
The exciting news is that there are two more spots available for the artisan bakers course for individuals that are working in food or baking in one of these communities. Discussions are underway to start with a yearlong plant production course to support food security for the Bitou community through education and expansion of local food production in partnership with local government.
Dr Ellenore Meyer, Tebelo director explains: “Tebelo has a long-term vision of hosting a tech-hub, expanding on farming with verticulture and offering a number of other skills development training opportunities that will enable health, nutrition and opportunity through education. We are open to partner with other charities and individuals to support the people of the Bitou area to create equitable opportunities for all.”
Already Tebelo has been making strides in the Bitou community: on Mondays and Wednesdays, 26 children attend an after-school literacy support program at Tebelo. The Grade 2 and 4 learners were identified by their parents and teachers to need extra support with reading and literacy.
The program has been very successful since it commenced earlier in 2023. One of the learners went from 33% to 82% in their English subject after attending the program under the educational leadership of Josephine Beveridge. More volunteers are sought to expand the programme to more days and enable more scholars to attend. Each child also receives a healthy meal and a lovely playtime with puzzles and movement.