Kumon Randfontein

After spending a good number of years shuttling my children to school with their various activities, they grew up and flew the nest. After also becoming a widow I typically found myself wondering what the next season would hold for me.

I was interviewed for a position as a Kumon Assistant at the Hartbeespoort Study Centre. I joined there in 2016 and I am overjoyed to say that I found my niche. I loved the children and was passionate about Kumon and the results I witnessed, as well as the amazing transformation of the learners as they developed and became confident individuals.

Eighteen months later I relocated to Krugersdorp on the West Rand to be closer to my family. I began enquiring at local Kumon Centres with the idea of possibly being employed once again as an assistant. A conversation with my daughter-in–law, who teaches in Rotterdam, sparked another option while I was visiting them.

I attended a Kumon Franchise Orientation Session when I got home, and we were made to do a Kumon Maths diagnostic test. I am a Medical Technologist and had studied and applied maths post matric. To my horror I realised how outdated my maths methods were and how rusty my skills had become; the results were terrible! However, I was afforded the opportunity to attend the Parkwood Kumon Centre as a student in order to upskill my maths ability.

After just one month (and completing approximately a thousand worksheets) I reached the required level of skill and on re-doing the diagnostic test I achieved 100% in half of the set time! I can whole heartedly say that Kumon delivers results; I felt a new sense of achievement and confidence. I have experienced this amazing and unique method of learning from the student’s seat and I am totally bowled over!

While my children were at high school I did voluntary counselling at the school they attended. During this time I became aware of the fact that under achievement and insecurity arising as a result of this was a big contribution to learner’s lack of confidence and anxiety. This, as well as my involvement with Royal Family Kids for a number of years, instilled in me the strong desire to be able to contribute to the empowering of children through learning.

My eldest son experienced learning difficulties as a little boy at primary school years ago and obtaining help was not so easy back then as there were very few remedial teachers and institutions that did this. I simply encouraged him with praise and tried to assist him as best as I knew how; I also encouraged him to read and to develop a love for books as I believed that this was an essential part of learning. I longed intensely to be equipped to assist him in achieving his goals.

My prayer was not answered back then in order that I could instruct him, but I have since gained experience through my involvement with children and having raised my own. I now have the precious time and the resources to plough into and contribute to the community where I lived happily for the greater part of my life - Randfontein.

It is my goal and purpose to run a Kumon Centre dedicated to the development of learners so that they reach their goals and become confidant and successful citizens in society.