To the People of Hawaii:
c/o The Honolulu Advertiser
July 28, 2001
Dear Editor,
I am Speaker of the House in the Emfuleni District Council, a region in Gauteng Province , South Africa, that includes Sharpville, Sabokeng and Vereeniging (pop. 1.1 million). Our emerging democracy is on the threshold of an African renaissance and our national government has made education a priority. The most critical areas of need are in the fields of maths and science.
In that light, on behalf of the people of Emfuleni, I wish to express our gratitude for the work done by your Hawaii teachers in the Punahou School – South Africa Maths Project. The project was conceived and directed by Punahou teacher, Yunus Peer. Yunus was born and raised in Apartheid-era South Africa and since moving to the United States, he has been involved with many educational projects between our countries. The maths project, sponsored in large part by Punahou School, the Cassim Peer Trust, town Councils and local families was an unique opportunity for professional and personal development for teachers from two opposite ends of the globe.
During the first week of July 2001, the team of three Punahou teachers (Messrs: Jim Clarke, Mike Pavich & Mike Vogel ) and one from Honoka’a High School (Mr. Steve Hanks), conducted a workshop focused on our 12th grade matriculation exam in maths with sixty (60) teachers from the region. The Vaal Triangle Technikon and Rector, Professor Aubrey Mokadi, hosted the workshop, while the Emfuleni Council and local families took care of all the other necessary logistics. Of tremendous significance was the fact that the Hawaii teachers had done their homework. They came prepared with a focus on our most critical needs.
Our local teachers developed a very strong professional and emotional bond with the Hawaii teachers and that inspiration can only be of benefit to our students here and in the state of Hawaii. Each of the South African teachers has at least 200 students. Therefore, the impact of your work with our teachers is great.
Word of the workshop spread quickly and our matric students requested some time with your teachers. The Hawaii team adjusted their already full schedule and met with seventy five students over a two day period while still meeting with local maths teachers separately.
I trust Yunus and his team will share their experiences more fully with you upon their return. Speaking for myself, to see colleagues from opposite ends of the earth share knowledge and culture with such great warmth and caring, is a sight to behold. This is an example of international cooperation and global understanding at its best. The Hawaii teachers were next scheduled to conduct another week of workshops with maths teachers and students in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal, before returning home to Hawaii.
We see this as only the beginning of a long lasting relationship. South Africa has much to offer and we appreciate you sharing your knowledge and skills in maths and science with us. Again, I want to thank the people of Hawaii and the administrators, faculty, staff and students of Punahou School for sending such an outstanding group of teachers to us. May God bless you all.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Y. Chamda
Speaker of House