We have built an wonderful boarding house. We have called it "Tamboti Lodge". It has two wings; a boys wing and a girls wing, each housing up to 20 pupils. Each wing is made up of five dormitories with four bunk beds installed. The "House Parents" live in a double stories two bed-roomed flat. The idea is to grow the boarding into two primary school complexes and three high school, with a common dining hall built on stilts across the dry river bed overlooking the Drakensberg Mountains, which is a sight to behold.

Currently our boarding facilities consist of a beautiful thatch building, set in the natural bushveld, which faces due south, with a fantastic view of the lovely Northern Drakensberg. It is not uncommon to see Nyala, Impala, Waterbuck, Warthogs and Giraffe in close proximity to the boarding house, and the children often ride their mountain bikes to the nearby waterhole for game viewing. There are two wings to the building, one houses the girls and the other the boys. The dining hall cum prep/common/TV room and kitchen separates them.

Three wholesome and balanced meals are planned daily in conjunction with a dietician and are prepared under the supervision of a contracted catering manager. Mid-morning and afternoon tea breaks are also served. The catering is out-sourced and a strict diet designed by a dietician is followed. Any diet restrictions or allergies can be accommodated.

Tanya Cowden - house mother speaking to two boy boarders Teaching staff from the school will also carry out visiting boarding house duties on a roster basis. This further enhances the relationship between the pupils and the staff.
The staff all do medical courses and we have a doctor on call.

The boarding house creates a 'home from home' atmosphere. It is vital that the pupils are comfortable, secure and feel completely at home. They must know that there are 'house parents' who oversee the welfare of each child and to whom they can turn in a time of need. Someone who will listen, guide him or her and if necessary advise or console them should the occasion arise. As part of this process of creating a 'home from home' atmosphere, each pupil is allowed to bring their own possessions: duvet, pillow, sheets, pictures, fans and other comforts from home.

Perhaps most inspiring aspect of living in the boarding school is the environment that the children are living in. Far from the city noises and buildings, in a place of peace and beauty with clean air and natural sounds.

The boarders wake up to indigenous bird song and a view of staggering proportions: they look straight up the Blyde River Canyon across an undulating bushveld – the mountains are truly magnificent!!