Previously disadvantaged schools in Port Elizabeth lack the necessary facilities and other resources for 
providing a holistic education. The principals and teachers are dedicated and motivated to upgrade and improve facilities in and around the school in order to improve and expand the learning environment, but it's difficult as they have little to work with.
After a long involvement of Calabash Trust with various schools of Port Elizabeth, a need of measuring the impact that we are making with the schools was identified. It was out of this call that a closer focus of forming cluster schools of excellence has been identified and put together.
The concept is based on the fact that Calabash Trust believes that bringing schools together, to share experiences, successes and failures is of value. As an NGO, with limited resources, we view the Cluster of Schools as a useful access point to developing sustainable strategies that allow for the modelling to take place.
The Cluster is an independent body, with its own leadership structure, which acts independently of Calabash Trust. The relationship between the Cluster and Calabash Trust is governed by a broad ranging MOU. The independence of the Cluster is critical for its own sustainability, and its own development.
Calabash Trust is a development partner to the schools within the cluster, and leverages resources in a way to effect the common objective of creating schools of excellence.
The concept is premised on the understanding that as schools advance, through their own initiative, and with support from Calabash Trust, more schools can be brought into the cluster according to specific criteria and processes, allowing for the replication of effective strategies and through intra school support, ultimately leading to a sustainable model.
The activities of the Calabash Trust are varied and diverse, within our understanding that a multidisciplinary approach is required. The challenges within schools are complex and varied, and the solutions need to match that.
The school cluster initially incorporated the following six schools:
At the end of 2010, an additional 4 schools were welcomed to the cluster:
Within these cluster schools we have implemented feeding schemes, provided furniture, started food gardens, provided computer tutors for 2 years, transformed libraries, created sports fields, and implemented art projects.
However, due to our culture of reflection and learning we have specific focus areas for 2012, based on what we have learnt, funds available and our own capacity. These include the following:
Our work has been greatly assisted by 'volunteerism',where overseas tourists come to South Africa on a volunteering holiday. Many of these volunteers are retired professional teachers and health workers. Their sharing of skills and donation of resources has made a huge impact in the cluster schools.
