Education South Africa Project #62112

Help Empower 100 Poor Children South African Slum

by First Love Childrens Foundation

Summary

Using sports and specifically soccer as a point of engagement, this project helps facilitates primary and high school education, by providing school shoes and uniforms where necessary, meals, life skills and mentorship to 100 vulnerable and at risk children from amidst the tin structures of informal settlements In Johannesburg, South Africa. For the majority of these children, school and soccer is a temporary escape from their harsh realities and their school meal is the only meal of their day.

$2,000
total goal

$1,857
remaining

9
donors

0
monthly donors

2
years

Challenge

Located in Johannesburg, South Africa, the Hamberg informal settlement or slum covers an area of about 1 km2 (0.39 sq miles) with a high population of over 50,000 inhabitants. This dense population is mainly composed of migrant casual labourers and job seekers. Amidst high unemployment, alcoholism, drug abuse and prostitution are rife. Most young children are unable to attend school and are left alone at home, exposed to the alleys of Hamberg where they are vulnerable to abuse.

Solution

This project facilitates the education, life skills and mentorship of children between 6 to 18 years. We provide them with a daily meal, school shoes and uniforms. We also facilitate extra tuition by committed teaching and support staff thus helping give them them a fair chance at succeeding in their education. Through sports we help provide the discipline necessary for them to stand both as individuals and as a team. Sports helps keep them off the harsh slum streets, away from drugs and crime.

Long-Term Impact

Provision of early childhood education and good nutrition for the children of Hamberg informal settlement, assures them of a healthier, more productive childhood and opens the door for further educational opportunities at primary level and beyond. This highly improves their chances of growing out of poverty and the slums. Sports provides the discipline necessary. Their education hours also free the parents to go out to work or look for job opportunities thus improving their living standards.