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Student composition Of the 209 students enrolled at Harvest in 2010, 203 were Black, 5 were coloured, and 1 white. The class sizes were as follows:
Although Harvest High is an English medium school, 92% of the students speak IsiZulu as a home language, followed by 3% English, 2% IsiXhosa, 1% IsiSotho and the remainder speak languages that are not indigenous to South Africa (For example, the home language of our foreign students). Many of our students live with their extended family for various reasons. The economic situation in South Africa has forced many parents to live and work in the ity centres, while having to leave their children in the smaller towns. In addition, nearly 14% of our students have had one or both parents die. Often this has forced them to live with a grandparent or other family member.
Social Issues The students come from areas around Ladysmith/Emnambithi, such as Steadville, which is one of the most violent townships in the country. Many of our students live with violence and suffering everyday. In addition, gangs are a very real problem in our area. Added to this, AIDS has left many of our students without their parents and so they are being taken care of by their grandparents. In 2007 KwaZulu-Natal, where the school is situated, accounted for 27% of the total number of HIV/AIDS infections in South Africa (the highest rate of infections in South Africa). According to one study, the Emnambithi/Ladysmith area in 2002 had an infection rate of 64,7% amoungst pregnant women. We are now dealing with the devastating effects of this pandemic. But, we see Jesus in each case and his amzing grace on each child.
However, we are in such an amazing place that allows us to share what Jesus is doing in our lives with these students. We share in His love and compassion for them, and by his grace we get the oppotunity to speak into their lives. |
