We believe that it is impossible to truly understand what SOS Africa stands for without first knowing a little bit about its story. Therefore to help you we have provided a brief summary of the ‘SOS Africa Story’ below. We hope that you enjoy reading it as much as we have enjoyed being part of it:

 

September 2002: 'The Story Begins...'

   

Matt Crowcombe begins his gap year placement at the International School of South Africa. Here he met Henry Matthews, Head of Sport. Together they explored the possibility of supporting Thabo Mokete, a young boy from Lonely Park Township.

 

January 2003: 'SOS Africa's First Child Starts School'

  

SOS Africa is born as its first child Thabo begins his schooling at Mafikeng Primary School. Although, at first he struggles to adjust, as time passes Thabo becomes increasingly settled and adapts to his new lifestyle.

 

September 2003: 'SOS Africa Becomes a Registered UK Charity'

SOS Africa becomes a UK Registered Charity, by the Charity Commission for England and Wales – registered charity number: 1105747. It is a proud day for the charity, and just reward for all of the hard work put in by the charity’s growing group of volunteers.

 

January 2004: 'Introducing Mavis Madie'

     

The charity’s first girl, Mavis Madie begins her education at Mafikeng Preparatory School. After a mixed start from the 8 year old Thabo it was decided that all future SOS Africa children should begin their education in Grade 1 (Aged 6) to allow them to adjust to their new lifestyles more easily.

King’s Bruton becomes the first school to be part of SOS Africa’s ‘School Sponsorship Program.’ As part of this program, the school and its pupils receive regular updates on the progress of the child they are sponsoring.

 

November 2004: 'SOS Africa Launches www.sosafrica.com'

SOS Africa launches its first website (www.sosafrica.com). As well as providing basic information on the charity, the website also contains secure user areas where sponsors can log on to view the progress of the children they are supporting. The website also contains facilities which enable people to both donate to the charity online and set up online fundraising pages.

 

January 2005: 'Answering the Prayers of Christopher Mondlane'

 

SOS Africa answers the prayers of the mother of Christopher Mondlane, a 10 year old boy with a severe form of eczema, by funding his education and care and Kamagugu School. Christopher was bullied by his class mates and eventually thrown out of his previous school as his skin condition was considered a health risk to other students.

Thanks to its rapid growth, resulting from the overwhelming support shown by sponsors from Britain and around the world, more SOS Africa children began their schooling at Mafikeng Preparatory school.

 

October 2005: 'SOS Africa's First Annual Fundraiser'

  

SOS Africa’s first big fundraiser takes place at the Cardiff Half Marathon 2005. Students from Swansea University and around the UK compete to raise funds for the children of SOS Africa. The event is so successful that it is agreed that the charity will use the Cardiff Half Marathon as its annual fundraiser.

 

January 2007: 'SOS Africa Continues to Grow'

  

As our charity continues to grow, it increases the numbers of children it supports sending three more children to school at Mafikeng Preparatory School.

   

After two years in education SOS Africa’s first children complete their early years of schooling and successfully graduate from the Preparatory School and attend Mafikeng Primary School in January. In addition some of the charity's children received prestigious awards for their academic progress. The charity is delighted with the progress of its children who have adjusted well to their new schools and who continue to make the most of the opportunities that come their way.

 

January 2008: 'Celebrating Five Years of SOS Africa'

  

SOS Africa celebrates its 5th Anniversary! To commemorate this occasion a 5th Anniversary Lunch is organised and all of the charity’s children attended. It was a memorable occasion, made extra special by the fact that for many of the children it was the first time they had ever been to a restaurant.

 

February 2009: 'SOS Africa Opens First Charity Shop'

  

The 7th February represented a proud day for SOS Africa as its first charity shop opened in Ilfracombe, North Devon. Right from the word go the shop received tremendous support from the local community and proved to be an excellent source of income for the charity.

 

November 2009: 'SOS Africa Logo Printed on 2010 African Nations Cup Supporters Shirts'

  

Courtesy of Subside Sports, as of November 2009, SOS Africa's logo was to be printed on the supporters shirts of various African nations participating in the African Nations and Football World Cups, in 2010. In addition, for every shirt sold at Subsidesports.com, £5 would be donated to our charity. This was a prestigious achievement for SOS Africa and would prove to be solid source of funding in early 2010.

 

January 2010: 'The SOS Africa Family Continues to Grow'

Another three new SOS Africa children begin their education at Mafikeng Preparatory School, taking the number of children supported by the charity since its birth to 12!

  

 

April 2010: 'SOS Africa Logo Printed on 2010 World Cup Supporters Shirts'

     

In April 2010, Subside Sports then expanded the range of National Team supporters shirts printed with SOS Africa Logo to include the majority of the teams participating in the Football World Cup. CLICK HERE to view the shirts.

 

May 2010: 'Our World Cup Project'

A partnership has been formed between Hyundai, one of the World Cup’s leading sponsors and our very own SOS Africa, with the sole aim of bringing the World Cup to the townships of South Africa. To achieve this, the partnership has developed a project which will distribute in excess of 5000 footballs and 50 sets of school football equipment to the township schools of South Africa. This is one of the biggest developments yet for SOS Africa! For more information, click here.

    

 

September 2010: 'SOS Africa's International Support Increases'

  

Throughout the summer months of 2010, SOS Africa sees a significant increase in the amount of support it receives from overseas. In September alone, a group of highschool students from California found the 'Bay Area SOS Africa Society,' and SOS Africa receives the official endorsement of Danish actor, singer and director Allan Hyde. Since then, the Bay Area Society has agreed to support SOS Africa's two newest children and Allan Hyde's official fan site has held an auction to raise funds for SOS Africa.

 

October 2010: 'New SOS Africa Opens in North Devon'

  

On October 9th 2010, SOS Africa opened its brand new charity shop in Ilfracombe, North Devon. The new shop is considerably bigger than its predecessor and sells donated clothes, furniture, books and electricals. Since its opening, the new shop has been warmly received by the people of Ilfracombe and continues to raise valuable funds for our charity.

 

January 2011: '...And Then There Were Twelve' 

  

After its strongest year to date, SOS Africa adds two new children to is rapidly growing family. Thanks to the support of its many sponsors, in January 2011, 6 year old Dimpho and Siabulelwa will begin their educations at Mafikeng Preparatory School.

 

April 2011: SOS Africa Launches School Bus Appeal 

             

In April 2011 SOS Africa launched its first major appeal to individuals, groups and businesses in search of funding to purchase the first SOS Africa school bus.

For more information on the appeal, click here.

 

August 2011: New partnership sees SOS Africa UK Office open in Shepton Mallet

    

In October 2011 an exciting new partnership was formed between SOS Africa and Jewel Saffire, a fire safety equipment manufacturer. In addition to helping SOS Africa with printing and marketing, the company has also helped fund the opening of our new UK office at Kilver Court, Shepton Mallet. For more information click here.

 

October 2011: 'SOS Africa 2011 Cardiff Half Marathon Team Smashes Previous Records'

In October SOS Africa held it largest annual fundraiser to date, at the Cardiff Half Marathon 2011, and raises in the region of £11,640! Our thanks and congratulations go to each of the 65 runners that took part in this memorable event.

 

December 2011: SOS Africa holds first Christmas Abseil Fundraiser

  

On the 10th and 11th December, the SOS Africa Charity held its first ever abseil fundraiser event. Over the course of the weekend 90 individuals from 14 different businesses and groups from the local community and beyond joined together to tackle the Kilver Court viaduct in order to raise the remaining funds needed by SOS Africa's School Bus Appeal.

 

January 2012: Welcoming Olebogeng, Boitshepo and Thato to the SOS Africa Family

After another very successful year we are delighted to welcome three new children to our education program. It is our pleasure to introduce you to Olebogeng (junior), Boitshepo and Thato. Click here for more information.

 

Our future... is in your hands!

For more information on the work carried out by SOS Africa feel free to contact us at any time. To support SOS Africa, you can either make a donation or fundraise for SOS Africa.