Pendla

An On-Going Project of the
College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University
Education Club

College of Saint Benedict student Julie Merry presenting a check to Ms. Mfunda, Pendla School Principal.

Pendla Project: History and Purpose
The Pendla Project was named for and benefits the Pendla Primary School which is located in a primarily black township near Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The project began when Dr. Deanna Lamb, a faculty member at the College of Saint Benedict/St. John's University (CSB/SJU), visited the school and saw the difficult conditions under which the staff and students teach and learn. Though the school is blessed with dedicated faculty and eager students, it lacked even the most basic materials and supplies, including paper and pencils. That initial visit sparked a strong desire to help provide assistance to Pendla, particularly in the form of books and school supplies.

After her return to the College of Saint Benedict in the fall of 1998, Dr. Lamb enlisted the help of the Education Club, an organization comprised of teacher candidates at CSB/SJU. With the Education Club's help, over $1000 was raised and sent directly to Pendla, and over 2000 pounds of donated books and school supplies were also shipped to the school. Additionally, the colleges' Information Technology Services donated and shipped five personal computers. 

Since then, thousands of pounds of additional books, school supplies, and recreational equipment have been sent to Pendla, and funds raised for Pendla school were used to purchase and install a security system so that the school could protect its new assets, particularly the computers. Our most recent fund-raising efforts (spring 2002) allowed Pendla School to purchase a TV/VCR, a copier, and a computer printer.

Because we have a study-abroad program in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, it was possible to arrange for CSB/SJU students to visit and work directly with Pendla School. This first occurred during the spring semester of 1999 when our students converted a storage room into a library which now houses the books that were shipped by Dr. Lamb and the Education Club. The students also broke ground for a vegetable garden which now supplies the school's soup kitchen. All Pendla students are given a bowl of soup before they leave for home. It is often the only hot meal they have. CSB/SJU students also organized and participated in athletic activities for the children of Pendla, and those with the appropriate background provided instruction and tutoring in Pendla classrooms. CSB/SJU students currently studying in South Africa (spring 2002) continue to participate in many of these activities.

Current Status of the Program
We are in the process of planning fund-raising activities for the 2002-2003 school year and have applied for an NEA grant. to benefit Pendla. We will also continue collecting and sending books for the new Pendla library (called Unity House because it represents the efforts of two cultures, theirs and ours). 

Although we are not sure what the long-term future of the Pendla Project will be, we plan to continue our efforts to improve the lives and educational opportunities of Pendla students. If you or your organization would like to make a donation, or if you are interested in working with a school similar to Pendla, please e-mail us at dlamb@csbsju.edu.

Links to sites for learning and teaching about Africa and South Africa