About us
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
– Nelson Mandela
About us
The Tereo School
is a faith-based, non-profit organisation, established in 1999 as a school for street children and children at risk in the Helderberg Basin,who for some social/traumatic event or circumstances, fell out of the formal education system or have never been part of it, therefore providing an opportunity to learn in a place of safety. Tereo Community School provides education, daily meals, clothing and much needed emotional support to the children. No matter what the child’s circumstance, Tereo’s doors are open; ready to give these children a chance to get the education that every child has a basic right to.
Vision and objectives
- Build the gap between the current unschooled state of the children and mainstream education.
- Address the educational and social needs of the children at risk.
- To achieve the reintegration of the children into society.
Mission
- We equip them with education to go back into the mainstream schools.
- We empower the children to rise above their circumstances and focus on high self-esteem.
- We give them hope to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy.
- We endeavour to install Godly values into the lives of the children in our care.
The majority of Tereo’s children come from dysfunctional families, where extreme poverty is prevalent with some sleeping on the street, many children are neglected, abused and often at risk of even more abuse and violence. As a result of their circumstances many fall out of or have never been part of the schooling system. Tereo is the only safety net of this kind for these children, in the area. The Tereo Community School and Project aims to empower the children to rise above their circumstances and focus on high self-esteem. Through this initiative we aim to break the cycle of poverty caused by little or no education and give them an alternative to turning to crime or prostitution which so many are forced to do so due to circumstances. Over the past 22 years we have been able to impact the lives of more than 1000 children.
There are currently 84 children in the school, whose ages range from 6 years old to 15 years old. All the children are from disadvantaged communities in the surrounding areas of Somerset West, in the Western Cape. Tereo is situated in The Old Ambulance Station, Victoria Street, Somerset West. The school is registered with the Western Cape Education Department. Children attend the school for a number of reasons:-
- never attended school before, irrespective of their age;
- dropped out of school and never returned;
- cannot get into school because of overcrowding, lack of birth certificates and other related reasons.
Secondary objectives
- Creating a formal school environment using the CAPS curriculum.
- Development of partnerships with community organisations that can address medical, legal, psychological, educational and physical needs of the children.
- Provide After Care and Homework assistance for children at risk
- Provide counselling and support for leaner experiencing physical and sexual abuse
- In conjunction with our Child Protection officer, social worker and the South African Child Protection Legislation, seek alternatives, support and where necessary, place learners in places of safety.

News Letters | Press Releases | Documents | Projects
Who we are
About Us
Education is the most
powerful weapon which
you can use to change the world.– Nelson Mandela
About us
The Tereo School
is a faith-based, non-profit organisation, established in 1999 as a school for street children and children at risk in the Helderberg Basin,who for some social/traumatic event or circumstances, fell out of the formal education system or have never been part of it, therefore providing an opportunity to learn in a place of safety. Tereo Community School provides education, daily meals, clothing and much needed emotional support to the children. No matter what the child’s circumstance, Tereo’s doors are open; ready to give these children a chance to get the education that every child has a basic right to.
Vision and objectives
- Build the gap between the current unschooled state of the children and mainstream education.
- Address the educational and social needs of the children at risk.
- To achieve the reintegration of the children into society.
Mission
- We equip them with education to go back into the mainstream schools.
- We empower the children to rise above their circumstances and focus on high self-esteem.
- We give them hope to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy.
- We endeavour to install Godly values into the lives of the children in our care.
The majority of Tereo’s children come from dysfunctional families, where extreme poverty is prevalent with some sleeping on the street, many children are neglected, abused and often at risk of even more abuse and violence. As a result of their circumstances many fall out of or have never been part of the schooling system. Tereo is the only safety net of this kind for these children, in the area. The Tereo Community School and Project aims to empower the children to rise above their circumstances and focus on high self-esteem. Through this initiative we aim to break the cycle of poverty caused by little or no education and give them an alternative to turning to crime or prostitution which so many are forced to do so due to circumstances. Over the past 22 years we have been able to impact the lives of more than 1000 children.
There are currently 84 children in the school, whose ages range from 6 years old to 15 years old. All the children are from disadvantaged communities in the surrounding areas of Somerset West, in the Western Cape. Tereo is situated in The Old Ambulance Station, Victoria Street, Somerset West. The school is registered with the Western Cape Education Department. Children attend the school for a number of reasons:-
- never attended school before, irrespective of their age;
- dropped out of school and never returned;
- cannot get into school because of overcrowding, lack of birth certificates and other related reasons.
Secondary objectives
- Creating a formal school environment using the CAPS curriculum.
- Development of partnerships with community organisations that can address medical, legal, psychological, educational and physical needs of the children.
- Provide After Care and Homework assistance for children at risk
- Provide counselling and support for leaner experiencing physical and sexual abuse
- In conjunction with our Child Protection officer, social worker and the South African Child Protection Legislation, seek alternatives, support and where necessary, place learners in places of safety.
News Letters | Press Releases | Documents | Projects
Who we are
About us
Education is the most
powerful weapon which
you can use to change
the world.– Nelson Mandela
About us
The Tereo School
is a faith-based, non-profit organisation, established in 1999 as a school for street children and children at risk in the Helderberg Basin,who for some social/traumatic event or circumstances, fell out of the formal education system or have never been part of it, therefore providing an opportunity to learn in a place of safety. Tereo Community School provides education, daily meals, clothing and much needed emotional support to the children. No matter what the child’s circumstance, Tereo’s doors are open; ready to give these children a chance to get the education that every child has a basic right to.
Vision and objectives
- Build the gap between the current unschooled state of the children and mainstream education.
- Address the educational and social needs of the children at risk.
- To achieve the reintegration of the children into society.
Mission
- We equip them with education to go back into the mainstream schools.
- We empower the children to rise above their circumstances and focus on high self-esteem.
- We give them hope to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy.
- We endeavour to install Godly values into the lives of the children in our care.
The majority of Tereo’s children come from dysfunctional families, where extreme poverty is prevalent with some sleeping on the street, many children are neglected, abused and often at risk of even more abuse and violence. As a result of their circumstances many fall out of or have never been part of the schooling system. Tereo is the only safety net of this kind for these children, in the area. The Tereo Community School and Project aims to empower the children to rise above their circumstances and focus on high self-esteem. Through this initiative we aim to break the cycle of poverty caused by little or no education and give them an alternative to turning to crime or prostitution which so many are forced to do so due to circumstances. Over the past 22 years we have been able to impact the lives of more than 1000 children.
There are currently 84 children in the school, whose ages range from 6 years old to 15 years old. All the children are from disadvantaged communities in the surrounding areas of Somerset West, in the Western Cape. Tereo is situated in The Old Ambulance Station, Victoria Street, Somerset West. The school is registered with the Western Cape Education Department. Children attend the school for a number of reasons:-
- never attended school before, irrespective of their age;
- dropped out of school and never returned;
- cannot get into school because of overcrowding, lack of birth certificates and other related reasons.
Secondary objectives
- Creating a formal school environment using the CAPS curriculum.
- Development of partnerships with community organisations that can address medical, legal, psychological, educational and physical needs of the children.
- Provide After Care and Homework assistance for children at risk
- Provide counselling and support for leaner experiencing physical and sexual abuse
- In conjunction with our Child Protection officer, social worker and the South African Child Protection Legislation, seek alternatives, support and where necessary, place learners in places of safety.
News Letters | Press Releases | Documents | Projects
Who we are
- A committed Teaching Staff, changing the lives of the Tereo children
- An engaged Management Team, dedicated to the Tereo vision and mission
- The team meets monthly and holds a high standard of accountability, delivery and decision making on behalf of the school. The management committee holds the power and authority that is necessary in order for the projects objectives to be achieved.
- Tereo’s management team leads and manages the project, and is currently 5 members strong, including the project manager:
- Francesca Gerrard – Chairperson
- Darryl Cousins – Treasurer
- Jenny Wentzel – Secretary
- Gareth Arnott – Member
- Ann Coetzee – CEO
- A committed Teaching Staff, changing the lives of the Tereo children
- An engaged Management Team, dedicated to the Tereo vision and mission
- The team meets monthly and holds a high standard of accountability, delivery and decision making on behalf of the school. The management committee holds the power and authority that is necessary in order for the project’s objectives to be achieved.
- Tereo’s management team leads and manages the project, and is currently 5 members strong, including the project manager:
- Francesca Gerrard – Chairperson
- Darryl Cousins – Treasurer
- Jenny Wentzel – Secretary
- Gareth Arnott – Member
- Ann Coetzee – Project Manager
- A committed Teaching Staff, changing the lives of the Tereo children
- An engaged Management Team, dedicated to the Tereo vision and mission
- The team meets monthly and holds a high standard of accountability, delivery and decision making on behalf of the school. The management committee holds the power and authority that is necessary in order for the projects objectives to be achieved.
- Tereo’s management team leads and manages the project, and is currently 5 members strong, including the project manager:
Management team
- Francesca Gerrard – Chairperson
- Darryl Cousins – Treasurer
- Jenny Wentzel – Secretary
- Gareth Arnott – Member
- Ann Coetzee – Project Manager
What we do
What we do
What we do
The Tereo Community School is run and managed by a dedicated team of staff and teachers. Classes are small so that personal tuition and learning support can be provided to maximum effect and resources readily accessed by all children. Our school covers Grades 1 – 5 (ages range from 6 – 15 years of Age).
What Tereo Offers:
- Baseline assessment prior to placement in grade
- Small classes with individual attention
- Experienced Teachers
- Teaching customized to learner
- Individual development plan for each child
- CAPS aligned Computer Learning
- Bridging Classes
- Learner Support Programme
- Extra Mural Programme
- Aftercare & Homework support
Our approach ensures:
- Strong learners fast tracked into mainstream schools
- Assessment identifies learners who need to attend skills schools or those requiring special needs or remedial schooling
- Allows more time to focus on the learners who require help.
- Individual strengths identified: E.g.: scholastic, artistic, computer and technology, etc.
- Counselling Support for abused learners (psychological, physical and sexual abuse) and neglect
- Placement in care (where required). This is done in conjunction with Social Workers, Child Welfare and the South African child protection legislation.
Education
An individual development plan is created for each child. Our goal is to get the children prepared to integrate into mainstream school and reach their full potential. In the event where a child is not able to advance into mainstream school, they are evaluated and placed into special needs schools or in skills development schools.
Social welfare
Tereo employs a full time Child Protection Officer to support and work within the children’s family structure, to ensure the wellbeing of each and every child.
Nutrition
Breakfast, sandwiches and lunch are prepared on the premises every day and children enjoy mealtimes together in the dining hall. This is sometimes the only food that they get for the day.
Transport
Transport to and from school is provided to the children, using 2 Tereo busses.
Holiday Programmes – Programmes are organised for the children during the school holidays to keep in touch and stay aware of their wellbeing. Volunteers from all walks of life participate in the project by providing and making food, teaching the children skills, mentoring children and rendering other services.
The Tereo Community School is run and managed by a dedicated team of staff and teachers. Classes are small so that personal tuition and learning support can be provided to maximum effect and resources readily accessed by all children. Our school covers Grades 1 – 5 (ages range from 6 – 15 years of Age).
What Tereo Offers:
- Baseline assessment prior to placement in grade
- Small classes with individual attention
- Experienced Teachers
- Teaching customized to learner
- Individual development plan for each child
- CAPS aligned Computer Learning
- Bridging Classes
- Learner Support Programme
- Extra Mural Programme
- Aftercare & Homework support
Our approach ensures:
- Strong learners fast tracked into mainstream schools
- Assessment identifies learners who need to attend skills schools or those requiring special needs or remedial schooling
- Allows more time to focus on the learners who require help.
- Individual strengths identified: E.g.: scholastic, artistic, computer and technology, etc.
- Counselling Support for abused learners (psychological, physical and sexual abuse) and neglect
- Placement in care (where required). This is done in conjunction with Social Workers, Child Welfare and the South African child protection legislation.
Education
An individual development plan is created for each child. Our goal is to get the children prepared to integrate into mainstream school and reach their full potential. In the event where a child is not able to advance into mainstream school, they are evaluated and placed into special needs schools or in skills development schools.
Social Welfare
Tereo employs a full time Child Protection Officer to support and work within the children’s family structure, to ensure the wellbeing of each and every child.
Nutrition
Breakfast, sandwiches and lunch are prepared on the premises every day and children enjoy mealtimes together in the dining hall. This is sometimes the only food that they get for the day.
Transport
Transport to and from school is provided to the children, using 2 Tereo busses. Holiday Programmes – Programme s are organised for the children during the school holidays to keep in touch and stay aware of their wellbeing.
The Tereo Community School is run and managed by a dedicated team of staff and teachers. Classes are small so that personal tuition and learning support can be provided to maximum effect and resources readily accessed by all children. Our school covers Grades 1 – 5 (ages range from 6 – 15 years of Age).
What Tereo Offers:
- Baseline assessment prior to placement in grade
- Small classes with individual attention
- Experienced Teachers
- Teaching customized to learner
- Individual development plan for each child
- CAPS aligned Computer Learning
- Bridging Classes
- Learner Support Programme
- Extra Mural Programme
- Aftercare & Homework support
Our approach ensures:
- Strong learners fast tracked into mainstream schools
- Assessment identifies learners who need to attend skills schools or those requiring special needs or remedial schooling
- Allows more time to focus on the learners who require help.
- Individual strengths identified: E.g.: scholastic, artistic, computer and technology, etc.
- Counselling Support for abused learners (psychological, physical and sexual abuse) and neglect
- Placement in care (where required). This is done in conjunction with Social Workers, Child Welfare and the South African child protection legislation.
Education
An individual development plan is created for each child. Our goal is to get the children prepared to integrate into mainstream school and reach their full potential. In the event where a child is not able to advance into mainstream school, they are evaluated and placed into special needs schools or in skills development schools.
Social welfare
Tereo employs a full time Child Protection Officer to support and work within the children’s family structure, to ensure the wellbeing of each and every child.
Nutrition
Breakfast, sandwiches and lunch are prepared on the premises every day and children enjoy mealtimes together in the dining hall. This is sometimes the only food that they get for the day.
Transport
Transport to and from school is provided to the children, using 2 Tereo busses. Holiday Programmes – Programme s are organised for the children during the school holidays to keep in touch and stay aware of their wellbeing.
Holiday Programmes – Programme s are organised for the children during the school holidays to keep in touch and stay aware of their wellbeing. Volunteers from all walks of life participate in the project by providing and making food, teaching the children skills, mentoring children and rendering other services.
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Get involved
Tereo is a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO 010-517) with PBO status.
Donations made to Tereo are tax deductible.
Get Involved
Tereo is a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO 010-517) with PBO status. Donations made to Tereo are tax deductible.
Get Involved
Tereo Main Donors
Partners & Supporters
Contact us
Address
The Old Ambulance Station, Victoria Street, Somerset West, 7130
Telephone
021 851 4005
Telephone
082 678 9077
`E-Mail
info@tereo.org
Contact Us
Like us
Visit us
Hear from us
Address
The Old Ambulance Station, Victoria Street, Somerset West, 7130
Telephone
021 851 4005
Telephone
021 851 4005
Telephone
082 678 9077
`E-Mail
info@tereo.org
Contact us
Address
The Old Ambulance Station, Victoria Street, Somerset West, 7130
Telephone
021 851 4005 | 082 678 9077
E-Mail
info@tereo.org
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