This project will support our annual Idea Festival, a venture incubator event, and fund alumni social impact ventures. Specifically, we aim to help Allan, a primary school teacher, with his afterschool chess program. He aims to help 100 children expand their critical thinking. This year we also support Carol and Angel, 2 IS alum, starting a prenatal health program. They aim to assist 30 women and their babies this year, and aspire to expand into a women's resource center serving 100s more.
It is common to hear a destructive story about rural South Africa, and the challenges communities face. Whether it is disheartening discussions about a shortage of opportunities, youth unemployment, or an overall lack of hope, there is a common theme around what is not there rather than what is. Imagine Scholar aims to support local leaders in their quest to imagine the communities they want. Local challenges need to be solved by local community members!
At its essence, Imagine Scholar is driven by the conviction that untapped talent is the most potent resource in South Africa, and it is waiting to be harnessed for the greater good. We help youth unlock the greatness that exists inside them so that they can unlock it for their communities. This project helps motivated leaders get the initial funding needed to get their projects and solutions up and running, ultimately empowering local leaders to solve local problems.
Allan's projects will help 100s of youth deepen their strategic and critical thinking skills, build community, and feel a sense of control over their life journey. From Carol and Angel - 100s of mothers in the community will eventually have access to a prenatal health center, empowering them with information and support during the first 1000 days of childhood. Supporting mothers directly impacts their babies' development, and has unseen positive ripples throughout extended family members.
