Hazel Booysen, founder of the Hankey homework centre, Tutor Spot, recently faced the daunting task of helping more than 70 children who struggle with basic reading skills. Despite the challenges, she utilised her experience to make a positive impact, underscoring the critical need for ongoing educational support.
As previously reported by Kouga Express, Booysen initially began offering homework assistance to children in Hankey from her backyard in 2019, and by 2022 decided it was time to expand her tutor services by hosting her first holiday programme for children in Hankey, and then gradually moved to Patensie, Andries Kraal, and Quagga.
In 2023 she offered her holiday programme to children in Patensie.
During her week-long programme in Patensie, Booysen noticed that many children from surrounding farms had joined the programme.
This prompted her to host a holiday programme for children in Kleinrivier and Kleinfontein, two isolated farms a few kilometres from Hankey, from June 24 to 28.
Booysen said the holiday programme was a huge success, and they were able to help at least 40 children between the ages of 7 and 14.
While facilitating the programme she said she found that many children struggled with educational assistance, especially with reading and forming words.
Thankfully, with her determination, Booysen was able to “make the best out of a messy situation”.
“Knowing that you can help with a child’s education is always the best feeling.”
Booysen said they were grateful for the goodies the children received from Zarius van der Merwe and his wife, Julie.
She further said that towards the end of the holiday programme Noel Leroux, a farm owner in a small town outside of Hankey, Rooivlak, requested she help children on his farm as well, which she gladly agreed to do.
From July 1 to 5, Booysen assisted about 30 children with the school subjects they struggled with.
“I realised that the need for an educational assistance programme was much bigger on farms than in our community,” said Booysen.
Similar to the children in Kleinrivier and Kleinfontein, she said the children in Rooivlak also struggled to read.
“It breaks my heart to see how the children struggle to read, but I also realised that the educators can only help to a certain extent. The parents must make sure that their children get the needed help from homework or after school programmes,” said Booysen.
She said that she is thankful for the help she received from her assistants, Stefany Jantjies, Shaldonay Felix, and Jozelle Baart, who helped her with the educational activities, and Chemene Damons and Connie Jansen who made sure that each child participated and ensured that their programmes ran smoothly.
Booysen further said that later this year she plans to visit Kleinfontein and Kleinrivier to follow up on the progress of the children.
