Our Legacy and Future
The centre is a living legacy of Lorrie van Veen and Mr. Benard, whose generosity and vision continue to inspire us. Thanks to their support, thousands of children have received the chance to learn, grow, and dream.
Today, the trust faces new challenges. The initial funding is nearly depleted, and we urgently need partners, donors, and volunteers to help us continue this vital work. Our dream is to:
Employ more teachers to reach both Afrikaans- and English-speaking learners.
Assist learners transitioning to schools of skill or vocational programmes.
Establish satellite centres in neighbouring schools.
Together, we can ensure that the children of Mount Pleasant and beyond continue to receive the life-changing gift of literacy.
Who We Are
The Benard Centre of Learning Trust is a non-profit educational trust based in Hermanus, South Africa. Founded in 1996 by Lorraine “Lorrie” van Veen, the centre was born out of her deep concern for children in the Mount Pleasant community who were falling behind in school.
Lorrie believed that the ability to read was the foundation for a better future. By teaching children to read fluently and with confidence, she hoped to give them the tools to break free from cycles of poverty, crime, and hopelessness. With support from an Australian donor, Mr. Benard, she established the centre and employed the first full-time remedial teacher.
Since then, the centre has grown into a trusted place of support, where children in Grades 2 and 3 receive specialized remedial help to strengthen their reading, writing, and comprehension skills.
