For the underprivileged boys and girls living in the informal settlements (slums) of Johannesburg, the beginning of a new school year and term brings with it the challenge of acquiring school uniforms and shoes. With the onset of the summer rains the need for shoes becomes even more critical. Your generous donations will not only provide the boys and girls with brand new school shoes and uniforms but will as well enable these children to attend school with pride and dignity.
A large number of children in the slums or informal settlements come from homes where parents are either temporary labourers (gardeners or artisans) or jobless. These destitute homes can barely afford food let alone uniforms or shoes and the children attend school in undignified torn uniforms and torn shoes. Their lack presents a barrier to learning exposing them to ridicule and bullying which erodes their self esteem and leads to poor class performance and a high rate of school drop-outs.
This project seeks to provide 50 children with brand new school uniforms and shoes, tools they desperately need as they seek education for a brighter future. Your contribution will help remove barriers such as the lack of dignity and low self-esteem, that prevent the children from staying in school and accessing quality education. Access to quality education in a learning environment where all have an equal chance at success will greatly help to raise the economic prospects of the community.
The project will facilitate access to primary education for 50 boys and girls in the Zandspruit informal settlement and opens the door for further educational opportunities at high school level and beyond. The time spent in school also frees the parents to go out to work or look for job opportunities thus improving their living standards. Education highly improves the children's chances of growing out of poverty and life in the slums as they provide for their families wellbeing in the future.
