Education support for children in South Africa

It has been such a challenging time for so many charitable organisations globally. Of course our residential youth centre has continued to operate full time as an 'essential service' and, we can report, that we have had NO positive cases of Covid-19,

This is with all the precaution measures we have taken. Isolation and quarantine accomodation areas. Health screening, social distance and masks for those coming in and out (noting that our children live together in houses on site so are in their own "bubble"). Whilst we have arranged tests where necessary we have operated at full capacity and prioritized health throughout,

And whilst we have managed to keep up with all the children's education and virtual classes - no minor effort! - we also have seen our children return to school, albeit somewhat different than what they were used to and with different days and times in place! Yet of course they were very excited to get back!

But I feel that whilst we are in this time that has been traumatic for many - even numerous cases of our young people losing loved one's in their communities and having to have the grief worked through - there have been positive stories and I just wanted to share those,

We engaged all our children in standing up against Gender Based Violence also mobilizing our boys as agents of change who also must speak up against this happening. Our senior males have been very motivated by this and had a presentation in collaboration with the local police here. 

Now recently we responded to a call for a family pulled apart by an awful case of GBV - her young daughter was tragically raped and murdered - and thereafter found themselves homeless. Well our senior males of our 'independent living' section joined me in going out to a rural community area where we helped to build them a house! It is a work in progress but the example of community outreach we want to instill,

Now this weekend our senior girls also ensured their voices can be heard in the fight against GBV but owning their stories in poetry they wrote themselves and performing them at a special (socially distanced!) event themed around "She is me, and I am her!" - these are the examples of leadership and empowerment we are so grateful to see in action through our young people!

So yes we are back to school and are of course needing to cover the expenses and get our kids the right targeted services now more professionals are able to get back to a normal routine...but we are also seeing the fruit of all the year's of investment in youth, and that I feel gives us all confidence to continue this vital work!