Vrygrond is a socially and economically deprived community of some 10,000 men, women and children, situated near Muizenberg, on the False Bay coast about 20 kilometres from central Cape Town.

This website was set up in June 2007 specifically in order to make information available about the new Primary School which was completed in December 2007, and opened on 16th January 2008.

In the 12 years that I have been involved in Vrygrond, many hundreds of people have visited and been involved in one way or another. Many have made donations for the various facilities which we run, including money for the new school. This site is one way of enabling these Friends of Vrygrond to stay in touch and find out how things are going.

In addition to news of the school, I have included information about other aspects of this community, including the history of the last 12 years. If you want to avoid the background stuff and want news of the school only, the best way is to check on the UPDATES & REPORTS which will give regular progress reports.

My Vrygrond story has been unusual. Apart from a white outsider being elected Chairman of a squatter camp community body, there has been a constant thread of opposition from a small group of thugs, which cost the lives of two of our colleagues, assassinated by gunmen.

And although our group has overcome this opposition and delivered major benefits to this community, - 1,600 new houses, a Crèche, a Library, and now a primary school, - there have also been failures which I mention as well.

I hope this site and the story it tells will be of interest not only to those who already know Vrygrond, but to others who may never have heard of the place.

Please feel free to contact me for any reason; my email is .

Jonathan Schrire,
Chairman, Vrygrond Community Development Trust