Education South Africa Project #25793

Change A Child's Life

by United Through Sport SA

Project Report | Mar 13, 2018
Three years of changing lives through sport

By Cindy Preller | External Relations Manager

Senior School of Excellence new beneficiaries

What does a pilot, medical student and aspiring lawyer have in common? Their lives have all been transformed by the power of sport.

A total of 19 young adults who graduated from United Through Sport’s Senior School of Excellence Programme over the past three years have successfully moved onto tertiary studies or the working world, which is evidence of the progress made by the programme in South Africa.

Since founded in 2005, United Through Sport has used sport as a tool to develop children from disadvantaged and vulnerable backgrounds. Starting at Primary School level, we journey with committed children through to high school, where they receive top level education through our Senior School of Excellence Programme, at some of the best schools in Nelson Mandela Bay.

A recent Impact Report documented the life-changing results achieved by United Through Sport from 2015 to 2017. United Through Sport doubled its intake of Senior School of Excellence beneficiaries from 49 to 89 children (compared to the previous period 2012- 2014). These 89 learners all received, or are in the process of receiving, top level high school education.

Our Grade 12 school leavers have consistently achieved a 100% pass rate every year.

What our graduates had to say:

“When I look at my friends now, every friend is either pregnant or in jail. You’ve changed my life. You made my dreams into reality. Continue to help kids find their purpose in life. Continue doing the great job that you are doing!” – Lindiwe (Politics and Public Administration Student)

“United Through Sport gave me such an amazing opportunity. I feel like I have grown much more and have been exposed to many more opportunities and people thanks to United Through Sport. The fact that they also saw me as a deserving candidate for the bursary inspired confidence in me that I never previously had.” – Bronwyn (Medical Student)

“I was offered opportunities to play rugby for the Sharks Academy, but I had set my heart on becoming a pilot. My time with United Through Sport had taught me to pursue my dreams. I have slowly been working towards achieving this dream. My parents are helping me. I have my first pilot’s license, but I can’t get a job yet, I need more hours to get a commercial pilot’s license.” - Sthembiso (Trained Pilot)

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Dec 12, 2017
Oprah School Scholarship

By Spakes Xapile | Programme Manager

It is relatively safe to assume that everyone has heard the name “Oprah Winfrey” before. As one of the most influential women in the world, this lady has done amazing work trying to bring change to people’s lives all over the world. One of her initiatives to bring about this change was starting a school for girls in South Africa, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) ten years ago, which was inspired by her own humble beginnings and disadvantaged background. The purpose of this school is to offer educational opportunities and pathways to success to academically gifted girls from difficult backgrounds that have the potential and commitment to succeed in life and become change makers in the world.

It was thrilling news to receive the update that one of our Junior School of Excellence (JSE) beneficiaries, Sisipho, has been accepted to OWLAG to start high school in the year 2018. Sisipho is 12 years old and has been a United Trough Sport beneficiary for the last two years, and we were definitely not surprised that she would make the cut for such an opportunity. A very bubbly, confident and beautiful young lady, Sisipho has shown determination and commitment in everything she does at the JSE. She has a very warm personality and a strength beyond words that inspires her peers to always aim high and reach for their goals, no matter what.

Sisipho recalls how nervous she was throughout the selection process. The first round was in April in the form of written assessments here in Port Elizabeth with other girls, which was done at the University. As confident as she is generally, she could not control her nerves as just the thought of the name “Oprah” was pressure to perform. Following that, she was called to attend a two-day camp at OWLAG, which she had to travel to by plane in July. The next round was a home visit by the representatives of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in September and she got the final news of her acceptance in October.

One of Sisipho’s dreams is to study at a University in the States when she is finished with high school, and personally meet Miss Oprah Winfrey. She prays that her grandmother, who she lives with currently, can witness her graduation in a few years. She strives to make her grandmother proud and to set a good example for her younger brother.

We are absolutely very proud that she will be getting such a prestigious opportunity and wish her all the best in her new venture! Sisipho has a strong head on her shoulders and we will be looking out for her in the next few years!

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Sep 14, 2017
Proudly Representing Eastern Province Sport

By Lorenda Fezile | Programme Coordinator

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