Helping at the outset means starting with children

"The SPZA is an organization with clear goals. Small scale, without bosses and with people who understand local conditions well. I have a problem with directors who earn a very good salary from the donations of those who struggle to make that offer. I chose for a child care place because of the continuity. Not bound to one specific child. I think that, if you want to help at the outset, then you should start with children." Martha Blom, volunteer with a number of Zeeland and national organizations.

Offering a chance at education has meaning and impact

"When I visited a South African township and saw and experienced up close the incredibly difficult circumstances under which the people there survive, I wanted to contribute something. Giving a child the chance to go to school makes sense and has an impact: if a person in a family gets a job, that helps the whole family. In their culture, sharing goes without saying. It's a joy to receive news from far away about the development of the sponsored child. Saving up for a wheelchair and child care for the severely disabled, that lights up my heart." Johanna Nagelkerke, psychotherapist and polio patient.

Everything of value is defenseless

Lucebert said it: "Everything of value is defenseless." The truth of this really hit me once we ourselves had a child. Every child should have access to housing, food, education ... we find it disturbing to think that our son, who is very privileged to have that access, and that we, parents who are very privileged to be able to offer him everything, might ignore these inequalities. We want to help care for children who are less fortunate, even if it's only on a small scale. The SPZA works directly and transparently; our support goes directly to a child and a child's place. We appreciate that very much. No doubt - your money goes to a child, you are a sponsor parent in the most direct sense of the word. We can recommend it to anyone. Jan, Ilka and Gust from Gent, Belgium

She can finish her school now

"In 2007 we heard the terrible news that Siyabulela was killed in a car accident. He was the conductor of the inspirational Zwehlihle Adult Choir, and we as a sister choir cherish unforgettable memories of him during our visit of a couple years previously." Siyabulela left behind a niece for whom he had cared. They both grew up with their grandmother. After Siyabulela's death, she was nearly forced to leave school since she couldn't afford it. The choir decided to do something about this and now supports her financially through the SPZA so that she can finish school. Duże Nomshikashika means "choir" in Afrikaans. The choir was started in the 1980's as a chorus of solidarity and still enjoys singing the songs of South Africa.

On our refrigerator

"Every year I enjoy pledging our contribution to Lorna for sponsorship parenthood. Not only because I was a volunteer in Hermanus' Zwelihle township and saw how useful all contributions are, but also because I have full confidence in the SPZA to spend every penny properly and efficiently. Lorna has been our sponsor child for several years. Besides her annual school report, we receive a personal letter with pictures of her each year. They're on our fridge and we explain to our children why it's so important to help others. It feels 100% good!" The Bakker family - Petra, Peter, Romeijn and Ella

Had the opportunity to visit the projects

"The South Africa in the guidebooks is great, but during a holiday, we couldn't close our eyes to the grinding poverty in the townships. Back at home we still felt the need for concrete action. An Internet search brought us to the SPZA site. A clear and understandable site with SPZA's goals and methodology that  really appealed to us. This was our reason for signing up for a period of five years to sponsor an individual child. Four years ago, during a vacation, we had the opportunity to visit the projects. This made a deep impression on us and we have no doubt about recommitting for another five years. For us, the SPZA is a must for anyone who wants to contribute to the children in South African townships." Jan and Margriet Vos, Meppel

Great feedback from the sponsor child

"The foundation produces abundant and reliable information, so you feel very involved. An individual child makes our involvement even deeper: it becomes very personal, with nice feedback from the sponsor child. You see tangible results." Frits, Elvi, Lucas (8) and Alexander (6) Jansen.

Movie about Waldorf Schools

The following link will take you to a movie about Waldorf Schools. Among other things, you'll see a music lesson at the Hermanus Waldorf School

More about the Child Sponsorship Programme

Child Sponsorship Programme

More testimonials

• Why service clubs support the SPZA
• Why organizations and schools support the SPZA
• Why businesses support the SPZA
• Why professionals support the SPZA

Questions or suggestions?

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