Leo's Story

Leo came to the Ark at the age of ten. Until then he lived on the streets in a squatter camp, with a drunkard mother never having attended school. He could only speak Zulu his mother tongue. When he came to the Ark “a miracle happened in our lives, because he got to go to school for the first time, it was something I had wished for with all my heart” He started to play soccer and learn English and Afrikans. Leo became the Junior Soccer player of the year. His brother Fabian died at the age of 8 and this impacted Leo greatly. Over Fabians illness Leo’s grades dropped and he became angry. However the Ark teachers supported him through this and he became Head Boy of the school and received an award for best achiever in the school. This year he will sit Matrik at False Bay College. The Ark School stepped into give Leo hope, a future and an opportunity. He knows that through his faith in God and in education – "I am free”. Our job in RATA is to support and encourage Leo’s teachers to do even better for those kids that walk into their learning places.

Stories

Anglea's Story

Travelling to Ghana in July 2009 changed my life in many ways. It was such an amazing experience teaching and learning with others. The experience was massive professional development for me as I was ..

Jeroma's Story

Jeroma was a street girl, she lived a hard life, as a drug addict, and the mother of children birthed in poverty. Jeroma found herself left in a drunken stupor beside a dead body. She was arrested, an..

Leo's Story

Leo came to the Ark at the age of ten. Until then he lived on the streets in a squatter camp, with a drunkard mother never having attended school. He could only speak Zulu his mother tongue. When ..