Q&A Session with Karin Kanewske Turner – CHELO Chairperson

School parent Karin Kanewske Turner has recently stepped into the role of Chairperson of CHELO. Karin directs a non-profit public health project in South Africa and across the globe. Having worked for over 20 years in international health and social welfare programs, Karin has a passion for uplifting individuals and serving communities. Her son Chet is in the MYP programme. We caught up with Karin to find out more about her vision for CHELO going forward:

Tell us a little about what CHELO stands for and does?

CHELO stands for Children of Hout Bay Education and Learning Opportunity. Established in 2007, this bursary programme facilitates the inclusion of students from previously disadvantaged communities of Hout Bay into HBIS. There are currently 11 students, from PYP1 through to IGCSE1, enrolled at the school, who are supported by the CHELO programme. While the school itself donates over R1 million per year to cover these 11 bursaries, CHELO offers the students the crucial mentorship, educational equipment, extra-murals, stationery, school uniforms, homework support and workshops they need.

How are funds raised for CHELO?

Most of the funds for this programme are raised by private sponsors or donors. We also plan bi-annual events such as Summertime School Picnics and our highly anticipated fundraiser to be held on Friday, December 6^th 2019 – The CHELO XMAS CAROLS, where we hope the entire Hout Bay community will descend on our school for a beautiful evening of unity and community.

Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CHELO?

I volunteer to give back to my community and to role model the importance of making time for volunteer service to my son, Chet. I have lived in South Africa on and off for more than a decade and the impact of enforced segregation from the past and significant inequalities of the present are glaringly obvious. I am grateful IES invests in opportunities to diversify its student population and is a key reason I chose HBIS. I believe that when young students from diverse backgrounds sit in the classroom and grow their minds together, they gain skills beyond just scholarship. They begin to understand each other and bridge the gaps of coexistence with benevolence. This extends beyond the daily periods of Maths, Science and English, and invokes the soft skills of respect, relationships, family, community, aspiration, leadership, positive peer influence, culture and collaboration.

Why would you encourage parents and families to support CHELO?

Through CHELO, the families who attend our school and wider community recognize the importance of providing educational opportunities to our new South Africans – our future global citizens. As South Africa transforms, we have an obligation to help our youth, both the haves and have-nots cultivate respect for the cultural, economic and personal diversity in our neighbourhoods. I sincerely hope all students, parents and staff commit to playing an active and ongoing role in the CHELO Programme. If you’d like to donate to CHELO, please do so here.

For more information about the CHELO programme, please go to www.chelo.org.za

And if you’d like to join as a volunteer, get in touch with us: hello@chelo.org.za