Accolades for Vhembe crèche pioneer

A well-known educator, Ms Mercy Helms of Phiphidi, received several accolades last weekend for her involvement in the teaching and upliftment of the community.

She started the first crèche in the area way back and it later became a full-fledged school.

Last weekend, the Jumbo Combined School, which started as a crèche 20 years ago, celebrated its successes.

In 1994, Helms relocated from Soweto to Venda as her husband was working there. She received a teaching job, but when she was supposed to send her children to a crèche, she found that there was none. She then started Jumbo Crèche. The crèche has now grown into a combined school which provides for pupils up to Grade 9.

During the 20-year anniversary-cum-graduation ceremony, community members praised Helms for her dedication towards the youth of the area. Mr Shadrack Tshivhase of the Unbuntu Self-help Educare Resource said Helms had treasured the spirit of voluntarism in the area. He mentioned that Helms had taught him many things, including the fact that one must not put money first. He said she did not have a car for many years, but her teachers were being paid.

Helms was also praised by well-known Limpopo MK veteran Mr Dick Muditambi. He represented the parents and praised Helms for her community work. He also asked the school management not to neglect sports as many of the pupils would have more options in life as sportsmen.

Ms Helms added that many of the children from the school were receiving bursaries as they received a good foundation at Jumbo Combined School.

Date:18 December 2014

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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