We hear this story all too often: A learner, in a single-parent home from a disadvantaged area, comes home to no parent, who are working late at minimum wage. There is no food, no-one to look after them, no proper place where they can harness the skills and schoolwork they were taught at school. Eventually they take shelter with gang members or turn to drugs to fill the misery – their full potential never fully accomplished. This is a sad story that’s all-too-common for those who grew up poor in South Africa.
But, what if there was a school programme that could mentor young, disadvantaged learners? What if there was a place where young learners could practise those skills and have well-rounded role-models to follow?
SOS Africa Children’s Charity is a non-profit organisation that provides exactly that – a safe space in which to do homework and have a meal at the end of the day.
It does more than just the bare minimum.
The UK-based grassroots child sponsorship organisation, which invests in the education and care of disadvantaged South African children, partners with local state schools to provide learners with an education centre, where they can holistically develop into well-rounded individuals.
Each education centre provides lunch, homework support, mentoring, tutoring and extra-curricular activities such as kung fu, yoga, occupational therapy, music, swimming and more. In other words, everything learners need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
In the Helderberg, SOS Africa currently operates education centres at Somerset West Methodist Primary School and has recently purchased property in Gordon’s Bay for the establishment of an holistic after-school education facility.
“We primarily support disadvantaged children from Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, Nomzamo and Chris Nissen Park, where our scholars currently attend Somerset West Methodist Primary, Sir Lowry’s Pass Village Primary, Hottentots Holland High School and Mondeor Eco School,” says Matt Crowcombe, CEO and Founder of SOS Africa.
“We also have plans to set up additional programmes and school partnerships in the near future.”
In 2003, he came to South Africa in his gap year to help fund education and care for disadvantaged children.
“I was initially on a placement at the International School of South Africa in Mafikeng. My family and friends sponsored the first child supported by the organisation I was with, and within a few years the charity grew to support many children funded by sponsors all over the world.”
It was only until 2013 that SOS Africa spread through the Western Cape and now prides itself in having built education centres in Somerset West, and Grabouw and Elgin.
“The centres are situated on the campuses of state-funded schools and provide two forms of support – learning support to children attending the schools during the mornings and after-school care for SOS Africa scholars in the afternoons,” Crowcombe says.
Currently, SOS Africa funds the education and care of 76 children providing them with transport, school uniform, stationery, and school tuition at partnering schools.
In addition to services provided by the education centres, they also fund projects on behalf of their partnering schools, which includes the building of classrooms, sanitation blocks, gardens, the funding of teachers and counselling service.
“Our long-term aim is to not only benefit the SOS Africa scholars but also raise the standard of education provided by our partnering schools,” Crowcombe adds.
“It is incredible to see how much the SOS Africa scholars thrive once they join our education programme. They become part of a new community which provides them with everything they need to fulfil their potential while enjoying a happy and full childhood.
“Some of our very first scholars who graduated from our programme and are now attending university. Some achieving distinctions with many more following closely in their footsteps.”
One of the strengths of SOS Africa is its grassroots approaches to sponsorship. Those who sponsor a learner are closely involved in the work and receive regular reports and feedback.
They get to know the children they sponsor, and that long-term impact is tangible.
“As a consequence of this interaction, these sponsors often stay involved with our work,” Crowcombe said.
SOS Africa raises their funds through child sponsorship packages, fundraising events, and corporate sponsorship.
“We are a registered NPO and welcome the support of any local individuals, groups or businesses,” Crowcombe said.
“We all feel extremely privileged to be part of SOS Africa and our dedicated staff are continually inspired by our children’s ongoing success stories. We know that with the right support, they can fulfil their ambitions of becoming the teachers, doctors and leaders of tomorrow.”
. For more information about SOS Africa and to get involved please visit www.sosafrica.com or email info@sosafrica.com.
