“Empowering through Education”: SOS Africa
As educators, we all know how powerful and precious learning is. Education opens doors of opportunity, and enriches our personal development and life skills, as well as academic ability. Sometimes we may take school for granted, and forget that schooling isn’t a ‘fact of life’ for everyone.
This blog highlights the work of SOS Africa, who enable education opportunities for children in South Africa, for whom schooling would otherwise be unattainable.
Meet Uvo
Our recent social media post introduced you to Uvo. She is 9 years old, and lives with her parents in Lwandle Township, which is in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Her mother works as a hairdresser’s assistant, and her father is a security guard.
Picture News has the honour of sponsoring Uvo to go to school; she has since been enrolled into Mondeor Eco School, and attends the SOS Africa Somerset West Aftercare Centre.
Uvo’s education, and so many more children like her, is facilitated by the wonderful work of the charity, SOS Africa. A social media post cannot fully convey our respect for SOS Africa, so we want to share more about the charity’s impact in this blog.
What is SOS Africa?
Since 2003, SOS Africa have helped countless children like Uvo in South Africa access quality education. They take a holistic approach to learning, break down barriers to make education attainable, and tackle poverty cycles, which often render education inaccessible.
Led by founder Dr Matt Crowcombe, SOS Africa nurtures “empowerment through education”, something which all of us as educators will recognise and believe in.
The charity is operated by a compassionate group of friends and family, and has been successful in reducing the school dropout rates in South Africa with its effective approach to schooling. Since its inception, SOS Africa has established 4 education centres across South Africa, to reach more children and provide life-changing learning opportunities.
The beginnings
Rewind to January 2003, the concept for SOS Africa was formed by the then 18-year-old student, Matt Crowcombe, and South African teacher, Henry Matthews.
The SOS Africa website tells us they were disappointed by the standard of free education available in South Africa. Higher quality education comes with hefty fees, which some families are unable to afford.
This dilemma sparked Matt and Henry’s mission to combat existing education availability with a plan for holistic learning programmes, to educate and empower the children of South Africa.
SOS Africa’s approach to learning
The charity helps meet all of children’s needs with tailored, personal education programmes and learning support schemes.
They offer school tuition at partnering schools, with safe transport, school uniform and stationery to help children succeed with their studies.
After school, SOS Africa’s Aftercare Centres offer lunch, homework support, mentoring, tutoring, counselling, and hold extracurricular activities and sports opportunities, to enhance children’s school experience and personal development.
Learning about SOS Africa’s school graduates is truly heartwarming, and it is fantastic to see how children have grown into successful adults. Learn about their achievements, here.
The power of education
It is a privilege to support Uvo and SOS Africa, and further cement our belief in the importance of education. Receiving an education is invaluable, and all children deserve to learn.
We have the utmost respect and appreciation for teachers, educators and charities who provide education and learning opportunities all over the world.
