Sport South Africa Project #54676

Empower 1300 kids through sport & education

by VUSA Rugby & Learning Academy

Empower 1300 kids through sport & education

Project Report | Feb 5, 2025
2025 - First Term update

By Nikki Matthew | Chief Operating Officer

Dear GlobalGiving Supporters

Your support continues to create real change for the children of Langa. Over the past few months, VUSA’s holistic approach—combining sport, academics, and nutrition—has empowered young learners, helping them build confidence and resilience. Here’s how your generosity has made an impact:

Academic & Entrepreneurial Development

61% of children in our after-school academic program reported improvements in their school performance.
100% of young entrepreneurs gained the basic skills required to start a business, with 62% turning a profit at our Market Day event, supported by Capitec and Shoprite.

Early Childhood Development (ECD)

77.5% of ECD learners showed overall improvement in key developmental skills.
91.7% improved in numeracy and literacy through play-based learning, supported by Bishops volunteers and parental engagement.
120 children receive a daily story through our Mobile Library program, enhancing their language skills.

Rugby & Sports Impact

72% of children cite rugby as their main reason for attending VUSA.
Our U13 team won 3 out of 4 matches at the Independent Schools Rugby Festival, showcasing their talent and sportsmanship.
Fitness tests showed steady improvements in endurance, sprint times, and strength among our young athletes.

Food Security & Well-Being

1,000 meals are served weekly, ensuring children receive the nourishment they need to focus and thrive.
78% of participants would be left unattended in the afternoons without VUSA’s structured programs.

Our Next Big Step – The VUSA Hub of Excellence

We have been awarded a decommissioned school in a prime location, directly opposite the Langa sports grounds. While the buildings are old and run down, this space will soon become the VUSA Hub of Excellence—a safe and vibrant center where dreams become realities.

This hub will open doors and create life-changing opportunities, bringing education, creativity, and social enterprise together under one roof:

Library & Reading Garden – A sanctuary for learning and literacy
Art & Music Room – A creative space for self-expression and discovery
Computer Lab – Already refurbished during the holidays and ready for digital learning
Renovated Therapy Room & Offices – Spaces dedicated to psychosocial support and program management (completed)
Sun Diner – Deli & Coffee Shop – A social enterprise supporting local city farmers, providing fresh food, training and a welcoming space for the community

While we’ve made great progress, there is still much to do. We estimate a cost of $165,000 to fully realise this vision, transforming this hub into a safe, inspiring space where education, play, and opportunity thrive.

Your support can help bring this dream to life!

For more details, please see our Annual Report. .

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are building a future filled with opportunities.

With gratitude,
Nikki Matthews
VUSA Academy

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Oct 9, 2024
Third Term Report

By Nikki Matthews | Chief Operating Officer

Market Day

GlobalGiving Campaign Report: July – October 2024
Empowering 250 children through sports and education

Over the past quarter, VUSA Rugby and Learning Academy has been active across various programs, empowering children in Langa, Cape Town. We are excited to share our progress and key events:

Rugby Development
The VUSA rugby program continues to flourish, teaching our children valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and leadership. Despite earlier weather challenges, we successfully hosted rugby matches in Langa, giving our children the opportunity to showcase their skills on their home turf. It was an exciting moment for them to share their community with children from other areas, building connections through sport.

Mandela Day
Mandela Day this year was marked by a community clean-up and fun activities with children from Bishops and various corporates. The day also included a special talk by author Andrew Russell, inspiring our children and volunteers alike. The event highlighted the importance of community service and collaboration, reinforcing the spirit of unity that defines VUSA’s programs.

Market Day
Market Day is a unique event where our U13s get to showcase the products they’ve developed over the course of a six-month small business development program. With guidance from mentors at Capitec’s marketing and finance teams, the children learned essential business skills, from budgeting to product development. At the end of the year, during our Derby event, they set up a vibrant market to sell their products, which range from artwork and beaded items to boerie rolls, coffee, and face painting. It’s an empowering experience that teaches them entrepreneurship while fostering creativity and independence.

Educational Programs
The Atlas Digibus remains an essential tool in delivering our educational programs. Grade 4 learners receive help with their transition from their mother tongue to English using Reading Eggs, while Grade 5 learners benefit from coding lessons through the Code4Kidz platform. In the afternoons, we continue to offer maths support using Matific, as well as coding lessons. These programs equip our children with the academic skills they need to succeed.

Social Support
We’re excited to have welcomed Sabelo, our new social worker, to the team. Sabelo has been providing one-on-one support to children facing learning or social challenges, as well as addressing family-related issues. By working closely with schools, parents, and VUSA staff, Sabelo is creating stronger ties within the community, providing essential psychosocial support for the children and their families.

Community Development
VUSA has recently acquired classrooms and a kitchen across the road from our sports grounds. We are excited about transforming this space into a hub of excellence for the community. Plans are underway to develop a library, launch an art program, and support other community projects. Although the buildings will require renovation, we are thrilled about the potential this space holds. It will become a safe, inspiring environment where our children can thrive.

Conclusion
This past quarter has been full of progress and new opportunities. Our children continue to grow through sports, education, and entrepreneurial initiatives, and the community around them is becoming more engaged and supportive. With your continued support, we are laying the foundation for an even brighter future, where VUSA can become the hub of excellence we’ve always dreamed of, providing a safe and nurturing space for the children of Langa.

Market Day

Mandela Day

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Newsletter

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Jun 13, 2024
Mid-Year news

By Nikki Matthews | Chief Operating Officer

“Our children are the rock on which our future will be built, our greatest asset as a nation. They will be the leaders of our country, the creators of our national wealth, those who care for and protect our people.” - Nelson Mandela -

As we celebrate 30 years of democracy in our nation, we are reminded of both our achievements and the significant work still ahead. While our government plays a crucial role, it is clear that the combined efforts of NPOs, corporate South Africa, and civil society are essential to drive the changes we so desperately need. At VUSA, we are committed to being part of this collective effort, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support.

With so much focus on the election, we wanted to teach our children about the importance of democracy and leadership, so we decided to hold our own elections at VUSA. Each age group voted for a class captain. Through this experience, the children learned about the democratic process, the value of having a voice, and the responsibilities that come with leadership roles. It was an empowering exercise that instilled a sense of participation and community in our young learners.

We are pleased to announce the addition of a social worker to our VUSA team, made possible by the incredible generosity of Ryan Mitchell and his family. This new role will be transformative for our children and their families. When faced with academic and personal challenges, community resources are often scarce, and our children and staff frequently encounter long waiting lists or are turned away due to overburdened government services. We are hopeful that our new social worker will provide the essential support and tools needed to navigate these challenges, making a profound impact on our children and their community.

Our Under 13 children are buzzing with excitement as they prepare to embark on a tour to the Independent Schools Rugby Festival at Woodridge. This opportunity is a chance for our children to experience new environments, build lasting friendships, and develop skills that extend beyond the rugby field. Such experiences are invaluable, fostering personal growth and broadening horizons.

If you click on THIS link you will find more details about our ongoing programs and upcoming events (yes, it’s nearly time for the 24-Hour Cycle Challenge). Our rugby season has been exceptional, with our young athletes showing tremendous dedication and growth. The Atlas Digibus continues to drive change in the five primary schools in Langa, bringing digital literacy and education to hundreds of children. Our Early Childhood Development (ECD) program is thriving, providing a strong foundation for our youngest learners.

Thanks to the unwavering support from so many, 1400 children continue to access new opportunities, paving the way to a brighter future for South Africa. Investing in our youth is the best way to create the path to the South Africa we know is possible.

Thank you for being a vital part of this journey. Your support, whether as donor, partner or volunteer, makes all the difference.

Stay safe and warm these holidays.

Brendan, Nikki, Lebo & Mak & the VUSA Team.

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