What better way to mark the start of the school year and SOS Africa’s 17th birthday, than to receive the wonderful news that 3 of the charity’s first graduates have been accepted by North-West and Pretoria Universities? Having first joined SOS Africa’s Mafikeng Education Programme in 2006, Olebogeng, Obusitse and Othusitse will shortly begin Batchelors courses in Organisational Psychology, Information Technology and Microbiology. We wish them every success with their studies and thank them for being such fantastic role models for the rest of the SOS Africa children.
Meanwhile, in the Western Cape the charity reached another milestone as our 5 oldest children began High School. Kay-Leigh and Tashnee from our Grabouw Education Programme started Grade 8 at Grabouw High School, and Kim, Laytham and Quentin joined Grade 8 at Hottentots Holland High School in Somerset West.
Although they are now attending new schools each morning, they will each return to their original SOS Africa Education Centre’s every afternoon to re-join SOS Africa’s holistic support programmes at Somerset West:
“When they returned to the SOS Africa Education Centre after their first day at High School, it was wonderful to see them sharing their experiences with the younger children. We are all so proud of their achievements; it is impossible not to smile when you see them return from school each day proudly wearing their smart new High School Uniforms with a newly acquired pride and confidence.” Karen Damon (Operations Manager, SOS Africa Western Cape).
And as the older children are promoted to higher grades, they are joined by new children just beginning their schooling; thanks to the generosity of our child sponsors and fundraisers, they too now have the opportunity to achieve great things.
SOS Africa CEO Dr Matt Crowcombe joined SOS Africa Western Cape staff and children for the start of the school year: “Whenever we return to visit our education programmes in South Africa, we are inspired by the growth and development made by each child since our last visit; nothing beats the feeling you get when you are greeted by their broad smiles, big hugs and genuine excitement to share their experiences and achievements.”
“On behalf of our volunteers, sponsors and fundraisers, we will like to wish all the SOS Africa staff and children the best for the new year; keep working hard and dreaming big, but most importantly, enjoying every moment!”
