Nothing can stop my dream of inspiring teachers in Africa

6 years ago I was rejected. I was told that my final thesis paper in my post graduate year of Education at the University of Cape Town was, well, not good enough! "Too few secondary readings to support your case, Fadia". My thesis was titled - How to inspire & motivate teachers in South Africa.. I decided to do it anyway, and so began my journey as a fourth generation teacher and Educational Consultant. I was going to figure out what inspired teachers, what motivated them to carry on, what tools or training they needed,  and how I could provide a service to them. 3 Years ago I started my own Educational Services company and spread myself far and wide travelling to destinations all over South Africa to share best practices, coach and train teachers from all works of life. As far away as rural Northern Cape to cosmopolitan Johannesburg and some of the biggest slum townships. 

Today I continue my journey and my mission but I need your support  by donating funds to our first ever conference in Cape Town, South Africa - A holistic and alternative educational conference on The Fundamentals of Optimal Learning and Early Child Development.

My company, McWilliams & Co. Educational Services aims to raise funds with this campaign so that we may host a conference based on the values of Consciousness, Competence & Creativity. Our intention is to use these fundamental values as the basis for a conference around developmental processes of a child through the Spirit, Body and Mind. Our aim is to have 120 participants at the conference and then continue our 'mobile' conference by visiting cities like Port Elizabeth, Durban and Johannesburg.

Why are conferences for Educators in South Africa so crucial?

In 1995 South Africa closed down its last Teacher Training college and people who wanted to learn how to become teachers were sent to theoretical universities or became teacher assists with little or no formal training. The average retention of new teachers entering the school system is 2.9 years. I decided I would make it easier for teachers to be coached and mentored and would offer workshops on professional development for willing schools. As one can imagine I was spreading myself thin and not creating the impact I wanted. 

Hosting the conference allows us to get as many teachers, school & community leaders as well as parents into the room. And with guest speakers like Noha Essop, a master NLP practitioner as well as child behavioralist and Dr Mohamed Dalmau a practicing homeopath we aim to equip the conference participants with knowledge on holistic education. The conference will help us understand the child development phases and ways we can enhance our environment at home and at school for optimal learning to take place.

"Dear Fadia, May Allah’s richest and choicest blessings be bestowed on you today and always and may you continue to use your nur to the light the path for so many others who cannot see their way, Ameen!"

Noha Essop

Some testimonials from workshops attended by Early Literacy Intervention volunteer teachers:

"What I have learnt this past week is that I have to understand me first before I can help the children understand and comprehend what I am helping them with" Palesa Baloyi

"Workshop reiterates our interconnectedness as humans, how we contribute to the harmony and wellbeing of each other and especially our children. Valuable lessons" Gregory Hawkins

Our Project - Holistic Education Conference

At McWilliams & Co. we believe that education is the key to understanding oneself and how to be in the world. Education is made up of “moments”. Memories or experiences that last; for both students and teachers. As a community of parents, teachers and community we share these moments and it is our responsibility to transmit the knowledge and education we want for our children.

Our mission is to share knowledge & best practices, to learn & teach through good intention, create optimal learning experiences and to do all this with mindfulness. Our services include , coaching effective school leaders, inspiring teacher training & development and mentoring young women through engaging educational programs.

The conference will run for two days with snacks, tea and coffee and a sit down lunch. Delegates will each receive a pack with useful tools to make their lives as teachers a bit easier.

Key Note Speakers are;

Mrs Noha Essop – is a specialist in human behavior. She is the founder of  Noha Essop & Associates –specializing in Corporate Wellness training interventions for EQ, Productivityand Work/Life Balance and the Authentic Kids Programme- delivering SelfEnrichment programmes for children Noha holdsqualifications of Master Practitioner of NLP* (certified by ANLP UK &INLPTA UK ) and International Trainer if NLP and Hypnotherapy. She also boasts a Diploma as a Clinical Hypnotherapist for the purpose of psychotherapy,certification in being a Corporate Consultant and Advanced Master Life Coach.

Miss Juanita Naidoo Rea – believes in cultivating the innate heartfulness of children and adults by inviting them to pause, breathe and heal. Juanita founded EduSoil and they train teachers and youth to take MEtime™, de-stress and develop the mindfulness,compassion and resilience needed to embrace suffering as experiential opportunities to learn, love and enlighten ourselves.

We need your help to make this conference a reality!

Without your assistance McWilliams & Company will not be able to continue the crucial educational workshops our community most desperately needs. 

The $2,500 we are raising funds for will help us to:

Launch or first Holistic Educational Conference and assist with the following

• Printing & Advertising costs
• Venue hire
• Catering costs
• Sponsor seats for underprivileged teachers
• Pay travel stipends for Speakers
  
• Media coverage, podcasts, video and photographic.
   

If donating is out of your reach, we ask that you please share this campaign with at least 5 people and encourage them to donate. Use the social media sharing tools above!

Help our community become the Educators and Teachers our South African children need..

South Africans can donate offline by sending donation to

Nedbank , Mcwilliams and Company Educational services, Current account - 1121687938, Southern Peninsula Branch - 123209.