Dreams Come True at Laurie Hugo Primary

The launch of the Khanya computer laboratory at Laurie Hugo Primary on 23 March 2007 was the realisation of a dream for this school in Moorreesburg. 

The launch was not only a celebration of the arrival of technology, but also of the teamwork that had resulted in the establishment of the laboratory.  Staff, learners, parents and the broader community had all come together in their determination to give the learners at this school the tools to equip themselves with the skills that would place them on a more equal footing in society.

Present at the launch event were representatives from the sponsors who had helped realise Laurie Hugo Primary’s dream of a laboratory.  Mr Clive Rafferty, Principal of Laurie Hugo Primary, expressed the school’s gratitude to Mr Kobus Lawrence, of the Swartland Group;  Mr Rautenbach, of MKB, who donated the chairs for the laboratory; Fanie Visser, who donated the airconditioning; and Danie Smit, who did the installation of the infrastructure.

Khanya’s Implementation Project Manager in the West Coast Winelands EMDC, Trevor Arendse, who had been responsible for the development of the laboratory from inception to completion, complemented the school on what they had managed to achieve through teamwork.  He urged the school to use what they now had to train and empower the learners, staff and the community; to enlighten others.

The highlight of the launch was a demonstration facilitated by the LAN administrator, Ms Catherine Coetzee, and learners from the different grades.  The majority of the learners had had their first touch of a computer only weeks previously, yet they impressed the guests with their PC skills.

Laurie Hugo Primary is fired with enthusiasm for the technology that they now have at their fingertips.  The laboratory was put to work immediately following the installation of the technology and each session in it is eagerly anticipated by learners and educators alike.  With the realisation of one goal, a new dream has been born:  Laurie Hugo Primary is determined to strengthen its existing relationship with its donors and to find new donors as they dream of enlarging their complement of computers until each learner is able to work at his/her own computer.