Bophelo-Impilo Community Association

Today, they work in partnership with the Department of Education as well as various corporations and NGOs. The Association’s main activity is running the Bophelo Impilo Private School which offers Grades R through Matric. The school’s fees are low and students come from disadvantaged backgrounds. BICA also manages 4 crèches. Many of the other projects managed by the Association produce items which are sold to the school, the crèches, or the students as well to the general public. Some of these projects include: a garment factory; a boarding house for students of the private school; 4 vegetable gardens; a tuck-shop and catering business; a women’s bakery; and a candle-making project. BICA also runs clubs for women and seniors; skills training courses in dressmaking and catering. The Association’s Committee and head office help to manage, administrate and coordinate these projects. BICA aims to encourage members of the community to define their needs and to start community development projects which will enable them to improve their quality of life, and eventually to become self-sufficient.

Innovation

This is a community-led and driven private school for poor families, innovatively starting a school without being teachers.

Effectiveness

In 2006 the Bophelo Impilo Private school had 554 learners, of which 541 passed. The matric pass rate was 73.3% (higher than the provincial pass rate) with a higher rate for students living in the Boarding House. The school employs 32 qualified teachers and 6 salaried support staff. The crèches cater to approximately 150 children, and employ 14 salaried staff. Challenges faced are: most of the income-generating projects broke even or enjoyed a profit in 2006. However, one of the crèches experienced a significant decrease in enrolment and a lack of electricity stalled a few of the skills training projects and created losses. Also, a planned expansion of the garment factory could not take place this year due to unforeseen circumstances.

Poverty Impact

Through its private school, BICA is able to provide residents of informal settlements access to quality education at a nominal fee. It allows more parents to work by looking after their children at the crèches. These two initiatives have created at least 20 jobs for previously unemployed people. Despite the challenges faced by their income-generating projects, BICA is able to employ 4 permanent staff and 10 part-time staff at the women’s bakery as well as 10-15 seasonal staff at the garment factory.

Sustainability

BICA's costs for the management of the projects is a little over R4 million per year. Most of the projects have been around for 23 years and are financially stable. The Department of Education provides 40% of the funding for the Bophelo-Impilo Private School. Other school funding comes from student fees, individual and corporate donation and income generated by other projects managed by the organisation. BICA is seeking to attract more government funding for its creches which have been inspected by officials and and been given good reviews. It is also constantly seeking to attract buyers for items produced by income-generating projects.

Replication

How the BICA model provides holistic and integrated community development in replicable. Specifically the way in which subsidary projects that develop skills and generate income, like the bakery, garment factory, vegetable gardens, tuckshop and catering business can be integrated into a school system.

Partnerhsips

    *     Gauteng Department of Education (funding, curriculum, inspections)

    *     Khotso Trust (funding)

    *     Anglobuild Boarding School (funding)

    *     National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (funding)

    *     First National Bank (funding)