Communities

Tamar's philosophy is to actively support the communities in which we live and work by investing more than just our money but also our time.

This year our community project will be to provide assistance to Oak Lodge School in Balham, London. Oak Lodge is a special school maintained by Wandsworth Council Education Department, for deaf boys and girls between 11 and 19 years of age.

Oak Lodge School, London

We had the pleasure of working with Oak Lodge School in Balham, London. Oak Lodge is a special school maintained by Wandsworth Council Education Department, for deaf and hearing impaired boys and girls between 11 and 19 years of age. The pupils all need Sign Language to gain access to the curriculum. Many of the children are day pupils, but they can also offer 5 day boarding in term-time for school or 16 plus students, either on a long-term or respite basis. The 16 Plus Centre has its own accommodation and a team of staff who provide for deaf and hearing-impaired students aged 16-19.

The project focussed on the improvement of outdoor learning areas for the teachers and children, looking at four main areas - an outdoor learning and play facility in the grounds, the building of a facility to help the children play and exercise and rejuvenation of the existing pond, vegetable patch and greenhouse.

We also worked with Oak Lodge on the creation of murals around the school to aid communication and improve the atmosphere and aesthetics.

During the week we were lucky enough to be taught sign language and all create our own sign names with the children and staff at Oak Lodge.

Vuyani Pre-Primary School, Cape Town

Vuyani is in the middle of Guguletu, one of the biggest townships in Cape Town. The school was built in 1961 and teaches 750 children aged between 5 and 11.

In 2007 we visited Vuyani Pre-Primary School in the Guguletu township and spent a week with the school building a new classroom block for the Grade R children. The 60 children in the 2 classes were using one small classroom, which was very cramped and not equipped for their needs. Tamar built a separate classroom block containing 2 classrooms and a toilet block. We also constructed a jungle gym and a basketball court, and helped with renovations in the school including replacing their blackboards.

The relationship continued when the Cape Town office went back for a week in 2008 to lay paving around the classroom and to fit a fence around the Grade R play area. The school, and indeed the surrounding area, is all built in sand, which is impossible to turf and makes it very difficult to keep the school buildings clean. Adding the paving means the teachers and children are able to walk around on a stable surface and better keep indoor areas free of sand and the outdoors. The fence also meant that the Grade R pupils could enjoy their playground without the older children trying to get involved!

In 2009 the team returned for the third year. This time they constructed bookshelves for all the classrooms, as well as filling them with books for the children. The team also added to the outdoor area by constructing a seesaw and a shaded area to provide some cover for the hot summer months. It was a real delight to work alongside the teachers and pupils again and a great way to cement the ongoing relationship.

Yue Miao Institution, Shanghai

Yue Miao is led and managed by Mr Woo. Mr Woo started the home about 6 years ago and has invested a huge amount of energy and personal money into the school/home.

Mr Woo is supported by a teaching / care team. They are caring, positive and highly enthusiastic. There is also a doctor on site (Monday to Friday) to support the children's / young people's welfare. They cater for all the children on site and have both a good-sized kitchen and dining room.

In 2008 TLC funded major improvements to the school, and a team went to spend a week with staff and pupils at the school helping out with the renovations, overseeing project work and spending time with the children.

Local tradesmen repaired the roof before the visit, and during the week painting and decorating was carried out to repair the water damage and brighten up the walls of the school. We fitted out classrooms including the music room, and developed creative areas including blackboard walls to encourage learning and play. Equipment was donated including clothes, bedding, pictures and posters, teaching equipment, musical instruments, toys, props for drama work and much more around the school.

Another area we were able to help was in sourcing information on working with mental illness and disability; the school were looking for information and advice from UK charities and medical resources, which we were able to provide.

More details of all our community projects and how you can get involved can be found at the Tamar Lifeline Charity site.

I am so grateful. This is good not only for our school, but for the whole community. My heart is very glad. Thank you to Tamar for this wonderful project.

Vuyani School headmaster

Communities

Tamar's philosophy is to actively support the communities in which we live and work by investing more than just our money but also our time.

Oak Lodge School, London

Vuyani Pre-Primary School, Cape Town

Yue Miao Institution, Shanghai

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