Pay-it-forward for Imhoff Waldorf School

Imhoff Waldorf School was founded in 1996 on Imhoff Farm with only one class and one teacher.

It is one of eighteen Waldorf Schools in South Africa and over 1000 worldwide. It has grown into a community that encompasses a parent and child circle, a toddler group, two playgroup classes, three kindergarten classes and a primary school. Here we focus on "bringing learning to life."

Our school is located on a farm near Kommetjie, Cape Town, in the beautiful south peninsula. Living close to nature is what our school does: we are surrounded by one of the smallest – and most thrillingly complex – of the six plant kingdoms in the world. We run entirely on solar power, for example, and are part of many other environmental initiatives.

But also evident in our special surroundings is the old legacy of apartheid. Affluent suburbs co-exist with communities that were born of forced removals and a township with tough living conditions. Our students come from all of these communities. We want to acknowledge the inequalities of our past, so we are actively committed to social transformation. Focusing on social inclusion, our sponsorship programme addresses the history of prejudice in our community and country.

And like the surrounding fynbos, our school has grown and flourished over its twenty-four years: we are resilient despite many challenges. Cherished by its past and present pupils, Imhoff Waldorf is more than just a school. Our approach helps children to become mindful adults who understand their place in the world and are active agents of change. We must continue this work.

We need your help (Banking Details Below)

Our school is growing. We’ve bought the perfect piece of forested land nearby, deep in nature and sharing a boundary with the Table Mountain National Park. It reflects our school and community’s values, and will allow us to expand. We need your help to do that.

Our original dream was to build an entire school, following anthroposophical design principles – but because our lease on Imhoff Farm comes to an end in December 2019, we are now under severe time pressure to move. We have also seen a big, commercial school built on the adjoining land. But we embrace radical change: anthroposophy teaches us to be flexible, to think creatively, and to work together to make the world we want. Just as Imhoff Waldorf has a proven track record – keeping our school growing and thriving for more than two decades despite droughts and fire – we expect to survive and thrive through this challenge. We have the chance to preserve our green belt and its magic in an area that is developing at speed. But it will only succeed if we are all involved.

Our most cost-effective solution is moving the entire school, pre- (toddler group and kindergarten classes) and primary (Class 1-7), into lovely, environmentally sensitive prefabricated classrooms onto the new land by the end of 2019. We are working hard on the move and we also have several fundraising platforms, but we need urgent action fast.

• The total cost for this move is R2.8 million.
• We need to raise a minimum of R2 million to make this move possible.
• We aim to raise R1 million through this pay-it-forward model, and R1 million through pledges from our parents.

PAY-IT-FORWARD:

Through a pay-it-forward model, we as a community aim to reach 250 people – if each of these people reaches out to 5 other people, we have already connected with 1250 people. If 500 of people contacted give an average of €130 we will have met our target.

A school is so much more than a building. Rooted deeply in environmental awareness and social transformation, we are teaching people to be individuals who care about others and the world they live in. Please help us preserve these vital values, for all of our sakes. Every contribution helps!

Please donate today.

Receive children in reverence, educate them in love and let them go forth in freedom.

– Rudolf Steiner (1861 -1925)

For international payments find banking details below.

Banking details:
Non Profit Organisation 2012/215475/08
Public Benefit Organisation 930 018 698
For South African donors, we can issue a Section 18A Tax Certificate (for donations over $100).

Standard Bank of South Africa, Imhoff Fundraising
Account Number 073 812 846
Sort Code 036009
Swift SB ZAZA JJ