Nursery World - South Africa: The tooth train

Healthcare comes by rail to the poorest children in South Africa. Harriet Griffey rode along

Although the sunlight is bright there is a cold wind blowing through the playground at St John's RC Primary School at De Aar, in South Africa's Northern Cape. It's winter, and many of the children are inadequately dressed, although most of them are wearing shoes. Lining up expectantly outside their classroom, the Grade 1 children fidget in excitement:

Mama Colgate from the Phelophepa Healthcare Train has come on a visit.

Jackie Masemola is the dental educator employed on the Phelophepa Healthcare Train. For 39 weeks of the year this 16-coach train brings basic healthcare to the poorest of South Africa's rural population. The nearest state dentist to De Aar is seven hours' drive away in Kimberley, and many families rely on a grandparent's pension of 520 Rand, about 50, for their monthly income.

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