Wouter learns bravery

Wouter Smit's early years do not tell a friendly story. Due to his mother's drug and alcohol dependency, they moved around Gauteng without any stability. Wouter was never enrolled in Grade R and Grade 1 wasn’t much better - drifting between 3 different schools and also not completing the school year. Only after his mother's death in 2020, his father was able to obtain guardianship and he moved to Cape Town.

But the challenges did not stop there. With no proof of formal schooling, Wouter had to restart Grade 1 at Sunvalley Primary. Later, due to the family moving house, he was transferred to Table View Primary. It was here that the teacher determined that Wouter cannot adequately read or write. The school supported him to the best of their ability and ADHD was diagnosed, after which he started medication. Due to Wouter's scholastic and developmental delay, he still struggled academically and did not make it through Grade 4 in 2024. On recommendation and support of his school, Wouter was enrolled in Jan Kriel School, where he repeats Grade 4.

“The little boy who walked into my class at the beginning of the year was shy and withdrawn. He was so unsure of himself and his future. Self-confidence was something

Wouter did not know. He often said ‘I can’t read, so I don’t know’ and was afraid to try new

things, yet he was childishly excited to start this new chapter. With his kind, caring heart,

he immediately crawled deeply into my heart and our Jan Kriel family. He believed that he

would not be able to master new challenges, but he learned courage and quickly saw that

trying is the best weapon. Now he even enthusiastically participates in athletics and rugby

and is also looking forward to the upcoming swimming season.”- Teacher Anika

Dad Wouter is extremely thankful for the level of support they receive at Jan Kriel School. As he still struggles a lot with reading and writing, the various alternative assessment accommodations at Jan Kriel School offer him the opportunity to successfully take on his academic future. The sudden academic progress motivated him to want to do better, while the personal attention from his teacher and the therapists, has given him self-confidence and he is starting to believe in himself.

“And for the first time in two years he actually passes!” - Wouter, dad

“He has progressed so much holistically that my heart is bursting with pride” - Anique van Dyk, Occupational Therapist

Financially, the move to Jan Kriel is also a saving grace. The much-needed extra classes and therapy were not financially sustainable for the family, but at Jan Kriel these form part of the school day. Because the family lives in Table View and his father works long hours in the security industry, Wouter is able to stay in the hostel during the week.

“Wouter needs a lot of support, especially with his homework. And he gets that in the hostel. Teacher Charné gives him a lot of personal attention and even reads to him every evening. The hostel life does wonders for him and as an only child he has also made some great

friends. As a parent, I am very grateful for everything that Jan Kriel means to my child.” - Wouter, dad