The school
The Amasango Career School is in Makhanda (Grahamstown) in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Makhanda (Grahamstown) is an isolated city, attractive to visit but without much industry and an having an unemployment rate of around 70%. Social problems are overwhelming; the poorest of children see no future other than crime, drugs, prostitution and abuse.
The Amasango Career School aims to provide a learning environment in which severely socially marginalised children may develop into confident, productive and independent members of society. To achieve this, the Amasango Career School works to: 
  • create an environment where children can feel safe, supported and valued, so that they can learn
  • meet the complex developmental needs of each learner
  • inspire self-motivation, confidence, responsibility and self-respect
  • practise and teach Christian principles of love and forgiveness
  • teach practical workplace-related skills for those not moving on to high school.

School curriculum

The school offers accelerated bridging education for children to enable them to return to mainstream schooling in their appropriate age group.
A primary education (grades 1 to 7) is available to learners aged 8 to 19 and it is quite usual to find a wide age range of learners in a class together. Each child is first assessed so that they can be placed in the correct grade. 
The academic curriculum comprises basic literacy and numeracy: English, isiXhosa or Afrikaans, maths, art, life orientation, educational games and pre-school. In addition, the school provides much practical training in skills that may lead to work in the local community. These include pottery, computer studies, hairdressing and craft skills as well a marimba group.

Grade 5 transitions to the full school curriculum. 
About half the pupils progress into mainstream township high schools. Older children who struggle academically or are not emotionally stable enough to cope benefit more from a skills-based curriculum that prepares them for the world of work.

Extra-curricular activities

Amasango has an art room and pottery and provides basic music teaching. Working with clay is a recognised form of therapy. 
In 2021 the Friends paid for a specially adapted container for the school in which hairdressing and associated skills are now taught.
Sports day is held in February. The school has minimal sports equipment and no playing field, so is reliant on the generosity of local schools to have the space to practise.
Amasango children also take part in local athletics competitions and in local music festivals and activities. 
Educational games such as jigsaw puzzles and board games help lay the foundations for academic and social learning. For example, Snakes and Ladders teaches counting, sequencing, waiting for your turn, that a setback doesn’t mean automatic failure and that it’s OK for your friends to laugh at you.

Future plans

The facilities at Amasango are restricted. However, basic computer skills and sewing skills are taught. The school is investigating both short and long term options for improved facilities and more vocational training opportunities.
 
​In 2013 the Department of Education promised new premises, including workshops, and vocational facilities and more playground space. These have yet to materialise but we remain optimistic.