A big problem has arisen this year with regard to bus transport for Red Hill schoolchildren. Apparently a lot of pre-K kids moved up to kindergarten (or Grade R, as they call it here) and now the bus is overcrowded, leaving more than 30 students with no way to school. Many parents don’t have cars, and even if they do, gas is too expensive for them to make the 20-mile round trip on a regular basis.
The simple, obvious solution would seem to be: Hire another bus. But it’s not that easy. The education department says they have no budget money. They even said these 30-something kids aren’t a priority because they have so many other issues to deal with. Apparently they’re willing to let kids stay home, grow up uneducated, and continue the cycle of helplessness and hopelessness that plagues so many communities in this country.
Living Hope is working with Red Hill parents and community volunteers to keep these kids in school while a permanent solution is sought. Volunteer transport has been used for three weeks and will continue as long as funds and willing drivers are available. Living Hope is also planning a fundraising concert for this Friday evening that will involve the Red Hill children themselves. The event may or may not raise much money, but whatever the outcome, it will get the kids involved in helping their own classmates and their community. I’ll share a report and photos from the concert next weekend.
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