COVID-19

Have you ever thought who you would take with if you, should you be stranded on a deserted island? You would likely choose people with a specific skill set, that would be most advantageous to the rest of the group. Skills that would ensure not only the survival of the group, but also ensure that they all thrive.

We cannot predict how we will act in extreme and testing times, but what we can do, is choose those who we surround ourselves with.

In the past couple of weeks, I have been both proud and humbled by my Staff’s dedication to the learners and parents of Shelanti. The staff planned, prior to Shelanti closing for the holidays, for online teaching and any eventuality. They spent two additional days at school, planning, testing and retesting our platforms. They started teaching online from the 6th of April from 8:00 to 14:00.

They are doing this despite being single parents, having their own children that need to learn online, coping with their own anxieties and running a household. They have acquitted themselves admirably! In addition, they communicate with one another as a group, and make allowances for those learners who are anxious and uncertain about online learning.

To every staff member of Shelanti Private School, I am PROUD to call you my family, my people.

Kind Regards

Who would’ve thought when we started 2020, that we would face one of the biggest health crises the world has ever seen? This virus reminds us that we are all equal, regardless of culture, religion, occupation or financial status. It reminds us that we are all connected and of how precious our health is. It brought our families home and reminded us of the things we have been neglecting.

I have been in awe, during the first few days of lockdown, of how creative, flexible and innovative we as humans are. You only need to look on social media to see how people are finding creative ways to sustain their income. From our own home-grown DJ doing shows online, to small businesses taking off and delivering fruit, veggies and meat to your door. This crisis forced all of us to step out of our comfort zone, think outside the box and venture into previously uncharted waters.

It’s also as if humanity and kindness has returned. Never has there been the support that most animal welfare organisations experienced. People willing to foster hundreds of animals within 3 days. Something not seen in 64 years. People offering food to others who don’t have, money to pay rent and prayer for those on the frontlines of this pandemic. There are thousands more examples of this on social media.

Humans can never be the same again. We can never treat nature the way we have been. Our footprint is evident now that nature can just be. Changes need to be made.

It is also a time that will define all of us. In the words of Charles Dickenson:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

As a staff we are keenly aware of that fact that some parents feel overwhelmed, are single parents, have financial pressure, have more than one child to homeschool, must work from home and keep the household going while doing all of this. The only assurance I can give you is that we are here for you every step of the way. We are a family of people with one goal in mind and that is to see this through and be victorious in the end.