The long and winding road to school

Sisters, Sibongile and Sarah, undertake a four-hour round trip on foot to and from school each day- Sibongile in black pumps that are a little too big for her, and Sarah in fluffy sliders on a dry, dusty and unforgiving road.

Both carry large rucksacks containing their exercise books, stationery and cups for their porridge. Sarah’s frayed bag is wider than her slight body and almost all the zips are broken. The girls are baked in heat.

Despite their clearly challenging journey, the girls are cheerful and optimistic. Sibongile (13) says: “Even if our parents didn’t force us to go to school, I’d still go because it will help to make my own life better. School will help us in the future when we grow up.”

Sibongile’s attitude has earned her top grades in class, and there’s no such thing as a duvet day for this young learner. She says: “When it’s time for exams, I force myself to go to school even if I’m feeling weak or sick. There are no alternatives to walking, no school bus or even a bike. We usually come home tired.”

Even then, there is still work to be done. Sibongile cooks a modest meal for her mother and siblings, while Sarah, (10) does the washing up. Only then can they relax and enjoy some games, usually ‘demama’ (skipping with a rope), with the little energy they have left.

The food the sisters receive from Mary’s Meals in school is an important part of their day. Not only does it fuel their studies, but it gives them strength to walk the many miles home, do their chores and play.

Their mother, Sarah Zulu, says: “Mary’s Meals helps in the sense that my children start off for school without eating anything at home. So, they find food at school and will come home at least with something in their stomach.

“If Mary’s Meals wasn’t there, my children would be suffering, learning and travelling that long distance without anything.”

And the family does their part to ensure the school feeding programme continues to flourish. The girls’ uncle, Zulu Makelo, is a volunteer cook. He himself has 12 children attending the school and enjoying Mary’s Meals. He says: “I walk every day to prepare the porridge. Being a parent, I wanted my children to go to that school and have the meals.

“I felt that the pupils should eat every day. So even if I have to do other work here at home, I’d rather leave it and go to prepare meals for the children. In the absence of Mary’s Meals, most of the pupils wouldn’t be going to school. It’s really attracting the pupils and improving the attendance.”

And so, the girls continue to walk in their sliders and pumps, to receive their meals and learn valuable lessons. Except during rainy season, when they carry their shoes and walk the four hours barefoot, presenting them with a challenging journey of a very different kind.