It’s no secret that South Africa’s education is in a dire state of affairs. Besides a pocket of very expensive private schools, and a few public ones that still offer a good educational environment, schools across the country are flailing. These poor levels of education are filtering through everyday life in South Africa, robbing children of the means and opportunity to build an economically-viable life for themselves.

Recently, I was invited to pop into the SPARK School in Maboneng. the glimmer of hope I saw on that freezing morning made me very proud to be South African, and made me feel like we stood a chance as long as private citizens continue to productively address our problems as a society. The model of the school is very different to what I am used to: longer days, more activities, smaller numbers in a class and most importantly, a focus on the future and a push that all children should have the opportunity to attend university.

These schools, dotted across Gauteng, were the brainchild of two founders that saw a gap for quality, affordable education in South Africa. You can read more about the SPARK Schools story here.

My invite came by way of Rebecca Crook, the cute-as-a-button American girl who goes by @stickylittleleaves on Instagram. My interest was first piqued by the Jeppe Photo Club that she has started, and by the fact that she was choosing to live in a lower income building in Jeppestown intentionally. She also happens to be the principal of SPARK Maboneng, and between her smile, the smiles of the teachers and the smiles and laughter generated in such a small space, I couldn’t help but absorb all the soft, beautiful, positive energy here.

I spent just 30 minutes at SPARK Maboneng, the start of a school day and also got the chance to attend ‘Sparks Fly’ – the morning assembly. Even though it felt arctic out in the school’s amphitheatre, the kids sang their little hearts out, jumped up and down and laughed little belly laughs that I just couldn’t resist trying to capture.

I’m taking a little break from travel right now, and I’ll blog about the reasons why soon, but this little visit forms part of my new endeavour to experience even more that my city has to give. Thank you Rebecca, and thank you SPARK Schools, I don’t know you at all, but you made me feel incredibly positive about this place I call home.