Driven by a Man with a Vision:
Saul Berman
Saul Berman, the founder of our foundation, understands firsthand the challenges faced by students who yearn for a technical education.
Discouraged by teachers who doubted his abilities, Saul persevered and, together with brother Paul, established Berman Brothers as a force in the building industry. Fuelled by a desire to empower others, Saul envisioned a world where technical education is embraced and celebrated within mainstream schools.
Paul & Saul Berman
Building the Future:
Following the success of the Wynberg Boys’ High School project, The Hands On Charitable Foundation set its sights on Plettenberg Bay. The Plett Technical Engineering Faculty is currently in it’s planning stages.
This new faculty will provide a technical curriculum to grades 10-12 that will be integrated with their current curriculum.
The technical subjects offered we will include:
- Civil Technology – including construction, civil services (plumbing), and woodworking (carpentry).
- Electrical Technology – including electrical power systems, electronics, and digital electronics.
- Engineering Graphics & Design (EGD) – including technical drawing techniques (drafting), electrical drawing, design processes, and Computer-Aided Design (CAD).
We are actively collaborating with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to expand subject options while ensuring core technical courses remain an integral part of the curriculum.
Beyond Bricks & Mortar:
Investing in Plett’s Future
The Hands On Charitable Foundation believes that financial limitations should not hinder a student’s potential. We are committed to establishing a bursary fund to support deserving learners who aspire to pursue technical studies.
The Plett Technical Engineering Faculty project extends beyond the faculty itself. We envision a holistic development by incorporating art, music, and sports facilities, transforming the school into one of the finest institutions in the country.
The Birth of The Dream:
The Wynberg Boys’ High School Technical Engineering Faculty
In February 2020, Saul’s dream materialized with the opening of the state-of-the-art Technical Engineering Faculty at Wynberg Boys’ High School. This groundbreaking initiative marked the first of its kind, offering students a unique opportunity to explore technical subjects alongside their traditional curriculum. The faculty’s success is a testament to the transformative power of technical education, evident in the passion and enthusiasm of the students.
To date 80 students have matriculated from the WBHS Engineering and Design Faculty.
100% Grade 12 pass rate in EGD and the technical subjects since 2020.
82% of students have carried on to university to study courses such as project management, architecture, and engineering .
Next Steps:
Leaping Forward Into The Future
The Hands On Foundation Charitable Trust, in collaboration with Leap Science and Maths Schools have opened Technical Engineering faculties at Crossroads and Langa in Cape Town and will commence in Paarl in 2025, with a continued roll-out plan with them thereafter.
CLOSING THE GENDER GAP! At Leap 1 and Leap 2, 54% of engineering students are young women.
Trustees
Team Members
