Vrygrond Township Library, near Muizenberg is no ordinary library – its a sanctuary from the streets, a place of learning and inspiration. The librarians, Elizabeth, Jane and Natalie that work their are highly motivated ‘Mothers’ of the community who actively spent their time organising holiday and feeding programmes for the schoolchildren. What started off in a yellow shipping container is now a major educational and recreational resource for an extremely under privileged community.
Vrygrond Township Library, near Muizenberg is no ordinary library – its a sanctuary from the streets, a place of learning and inspiration. The librarians, Elizabeth, Jane and Natalie that work their are highly motivated ‘Mothers’ of the community who actively spent their time organising holiday and feeding programmes for the schoolchildren. What started off in a yellow shipping container is now a major educational and recreational resource for an extremely under privileged community.
Vrygrond Township Library, near Muizenberg is no ordinary library – its a sanctuary from the streets, a place of learning and inspiration. The librarians, Elizabeth, Jane and Natalie that work their are highly motivated ‘Mothers’ of the community who actively spent their time organising holiday and feeding programmes for the schoolchildren. What started off in a yellow shipping container is now a major educational and recreational resource for an extremely under privileged community.
The children in Vrygrond are all from high risk homes where alcohol and drug abuse of frequent. Those children that are wanting to keep off the streets and out of the gangs have limited options. The library provides an alternative life for them.
During the World Cup period school holidays are 6 weeks long. While this might be a great winter break for affluent children its a huge problem for the library to keep these impoverished children entertained and feed who have nothing else to do. AWOL Tours supported the Vrygrond Library to assist with their holiday ‘football’ programme.
Even during school times, children come here after school to get assistance with their homework, reading and computer programmes and excursions. In November 2006 the library was given an award by the Library & Information Association of South Africa as the Best Branch library in the Western Cape Province. One of the judges said that the deciding factor was the way the library, instead of passively waiting for users to come in and borrow books, actively went out and engaged with the community.
In September 2010, we are raising funds to take 40 school children on an outing up Table Mountain to learn about the unique natural environs that we live in. Although they live in the shadow of our magnificent landmark many children never have opportunities to explore the surrounding city.
To make a donation to the Vrygrond Community Development Trust (VCDT) Trust Number:IT 6449/96, Public Benefit Organisation no:RG/0253/02/05 the bank account details are as follows: Nedbank, Tokai Branch, Account number:1043098100, Branch code:104309
Alternatively participate travel with AWOL Tour, a responsible Tour Operator who invests in the the youth at risk to become future leaders through educational holiday programmes. AWOL provides award-winning walking and bicycle Township Tours in the Vrygrond community and visitors have the opportunity to visit the local community library.
AWOL Tours strives to ensure responsible tourism practices and integrates a responsible tourism policy into our itineraries, which brings significant benefit to local communities by providing income, positive cultural exchanges as well as protecting the natural environment. For our efforts we won a 2006 First Choice Responsible Tourism Award and were finalist for the 2008 Imvelo Awards. AWOL Tours is an accredited member of Fair Trade and Tourism in South Africa.
The children in Vrygrond are all from high risk homes where alcohol and drug abuse of frequent. Those children that are wanting to keep off the streets and out of the gangs have limited options. The library provides an alternative life for them.
During the World Cup period school holidays are 6 weeks long. While this might be a great winter break for affluent children its a huge problem for the library to keep these impoverished children entertained and feed who have nothing else to do. AWOL Tours supported the Vrygrond Library to assist with their holiday ‘football’ programme.
To make a donation to the Vrygrond Community Development Trust (VCDT) Trust Number:IT 6449/96, Public Benefit Organisation no:RG/0253/02/05 the bank account details are as follows: Nedbank, Tokai Branch, Account number:1043098100, Branch code:104309
Alternatively participate travel with AWOL Tour, a responsible Tour Operator who invests in the the youth at risk to become future leaders through educational holiday programmes. AWOL provides award-winning walking and bicycle Township Tours in the Vrygrond community and visitors have the opportunity to visit the local community library.
AWOL Tours strives to ensure responsible tourism practices and integrates a responsible tourism policy into our itineraries, which brings significant benefit to local communities by providing income, positive cultural exchanges as well as protecting the natural environment. For our efforts we won a 2006 First Choice Responsible Tourism Award and were finalist for the 2008 Imvelo Awards. AWOL Tours is an accredited member of Fair Trade and Tourism in South Africa.
The children in Vrygrond are all from high risk homes where alcohol and drug abuse of frequent. Those children that are wanting to keep off the streets and out of the gangs have limited options. The library provides an alternative life for them.
During the World Cup period school holidays are 6 weeks long. While this might be a great winter break for affluent children its a huge problem for the library to keep these impoverished children entertained and feed who have nothing else to do. AWOL Tours supported the Vrygrond Library to assist with their holiday ‘football’ programme.
To make a donation to the Vrygrond Community Development Trust (VCDT) Trust Number:IT 6449/96, Public Benefit Organisation no:RG/0253/02/05 the bank account details are as follows: Nedbank, Tokai Branch, Account number:1043098100, Branch code:104309
Alternatively participate travel with AWOL Tour, a responsible Tour Operator who invests in the the youth at risk to become future leaders through educational holiday programmes. AWOL provides award-winning walking and bicycle Township Tours in the Vrygrond community and visitors have the opportunity to visit the local community library.
AWOL Tours strives to ensure responsible tourism practices and integrates a responsible tourism policy into our itineraries, which brings significant benefit to local communities by providing income, positive cultural exchanges as well as protecting the natural environment. For our efforts we won a 2006 First Choice Responsible Tourism Award and were finalist for the 2008 Imvelo Awards. AWOL Tours is an accredited member of Fair Trade and Tourism in South Africa.