Investing in Education

The gap between the have's and have-not's is growing, together with massive unemployment rates. We want to invest in the future of those children disadvantaged by circumstances and, in doing so, in the future of our country.

We are involved in

• Early childhood development
• Maths Club
• Other initatives and clubs
• School Bursaries
• Matric preparation

Early Childhood Development

Siyathuthuka Creche and Preschool is run by Lillian Mokoatle and has about 280 children attending. We have helped rebuild parts of the crèche, supplied 4 prefab classrooms and provided much needed educational equipment and supplies. Our involvement depends on the availability and skills of volunteers. We spend time with the teachers (e.g. helping with curriculum), pre-schoolers (doing educational games, occupational therapy with those struggling etc) and the babies (playing with them as the teacher-pupil ratio is not conducive to the teacher doing this).

Maths Club

We run a Maths Club every Friday afternoon with our Grade R-12 Special Stars (orphans). Our initial findings are that the gaps in their education are massive and we are looking to help in closing those gaps. It is encouraging to see the many helpers, including schoolchildren, who volunteer to help. The progress has been significant!

Other initatives and clubs

A dance team who have performed at many places, including the Playhouse and Moses Mabida Stadium. This is thanks to Jade and her team from City Celebration who are passionate about combining dance and the message of hope in Jesus to the children of Bhambayi. Soccer teams led by Sbu who is passionate about getting the boys off the streets. We are hoping to invest more in these teams. We are looking to develop weekend initiatives to teach lifeskills, offer support and keep the youth off the streets (as those with little to do often end up in drugs, illegal activities or pregnant)

School Bursaries

One of our Maths Club girls was awarded a bursary to Inanda Seminary, a girls' private school, due to her maths results. The project is sponsoring costs not covered by the bursary. We are identifying other top achievers to put forward for bursaries. The project will then financially assist these students.

Matric preparation

Through the provision of study guides, text books and helping to finance extra lessons we support our Special Starts in their matric preparation. Matric study groups meet at Siyathuthuka in the evenings to study, where we now have computers that they can use to type their school assignments.