Learners from a MRP Foundation School and Durban Girls’ College learnt, laughed and grew closer together through drama.
Beating inequality: The creative juices were certainly flowing at a recent ‘Drama Day’ where learners from a MRP Foundation supported school, Kearsney Primary from KwaDukuza, and Durban Girls’ College joined together to explore the many joys of drama while learning about each other’s culture and diversity. Picture MRP Foundation / Megan Rich
The first-ever ‘Drama Day’ was a resounding success as Grade 7 learners from Durban Girls’ College and Kearsney Primary, a MRP Foundation School from rural KwaDukuza, spent a day delving into different arts and culture activities whilst bridging the social divide.
Hosted at Durban Girls’ College on August 5 the creative morning of drumming, dancing and drama games was an eye-opening and valuable experience for both schools as creativity was explored, ideas and skills were shared and friendships were forged. Most importantly, it was another step towards breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality within South Africa, a cause the MRP Foundation is passionate about.
Through its investments in the education space the MRP Foundation established the MRP Foundation Schools programme, to give learners from low-income communities the opportunity to discover their unique talents in school whether it be through sports, arts and culture or technology-based learning through the Foundation’s successful holistic educational model.
After Durban Girls’ College heard about Kearsney Primary School’s passion for drama as well as some of the challenges they faced as a low-income school they decided to design an engaging morning around drama that also assisted with social integration.
Kathryn Smith, DGC Senior Primary Drama Teacher, explained:
“We thought this day would offer a wonderful common ground in their shared enthusiasm for the subject of drama, as well as to create a learning opportunity that crosses cultural lines and provides an opportunity for mixing with new people, which we knew would be hugely beneficial to both groups. Our students enjoyed the day immensely and we feel they gained so much from being a part of it and interacting with the Kearnsey Primary students.”
For Kearsney Primary School educator, Nozipho Ncengwa, the Drama Day deserved a round of applause for boosting creativity and connecting learners from different backgrounds.
“Learners were enthusiastic about going into a new learning environment as well as meeting new people. Once home the learners showed eagerness in teaching their fellow classmates who did not get the chance to be a part of this enlightening experience.”
MRP Foundation Manager, Karen Wells echoed this:
“The MRP Foundation is passionate about creating value for its beneficiaries and how drama can be a powerful platform to develop a well-rounded learner who’s able to reach their full potential. Hopefully, this will be the first of many Drama Days.”
