International Relations: Current Project

International Relations Policy Statement

Fund-raising projects to support libraries in developing countries, relationships with a range of Library Associations from across the world, support for Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) workers and much more, help illustrate the Career Development Group's long history of involvement with international affairs.

The current book project for 2003-05 aims to support Tholimfundo Primary School in Soweto, South Africa, which is in desperate need of books. The images below were kindly supplied by Connie Molefakgotla, librarian at the school.



The front entrance of the school.



Part of the school in the brick structure. This comprises 14 classrooms, the admin block, 4 small store-rooms and 2 small H.o.D. offices. The square in the centre is the only safe place to play for our 1145 learners this year.




Actual size of the portable classroom is shown in this photograph. It accommodates 45 to 50 learners presently but 40 learners would be comfortable. In winter it is very cold and unbearably hot in summer. It is also very noisy as the floor is above ground.



This is an incomplete part of the school, where the media and computer centre is supposed to be when the education department has enough money to complete it . It has been like this for 3 years.



The reception office. One admin clerk is shown using the only computer in the school, with 2 support staff looking on. The school has 31 educators and 9 support staff members.



Unemployed parents of learners in the school run a gardening project in the school yard. The space they are presently using will be taken up by the 2nd phase of the school building which may start any time when the education department decides.


Portable classrooms accommodating 650 learners (approximately) from grades 4 to 7. This is space for the playground.


Boys from the Grade 7 class of 2003 on Graduation Day (aged 13-14 years).


Girls from the 2003 Grade 7 class. They have moved to the neighbouring school.


Grade R 2003 Graduation Day. They are 5 1/2 to 6 years old. There are 40 of them in a class. The education department subsidises a teacher employed by the school with a grant of R1,000,00 per teacher.

Philip Booton
International Relations Officer

If you would like to know more about the international activities of the Career Development Group, contact the Honorary International Officer, Maria Cotera, Email: m.cotera@ucl.ac.uk