Alive

Two meals, fruit and milk

The Stichting Projecten Zuid-Afrika - South Africa Foundation supports holiday schools organised by local schools and organisations in townships. We also support holiday schools for farm children. Many farmworkers and their families still live in abject poverty and have to face harsh circumstances every day. Our goals are:

• To keep children and youngsters off the streets in a safe environment.
• To offer children and youngsters fun, knowledge and skills.

At holiday school children get breakfast, a meal at lunchtime, fruit and milk.

Thousands of children

Since the first holiday school project in 1998 many thousands of children and youngsters have enjoyed a wonderful holiday.
Many youngsters have been involved for years, first as a child and later as a volunteer.
'I went to holiday school when I was this tall' Odwa (22) tells the children, holding his hand some four feet above the ground. He now holds the position of senior manager at that very same holiday school.

Role model

‘Becoming a volunteer changed a lot in my life. I now have things to do. I don’t do bad things. I live in a township, if you know what I mean. So at least I don’t go out there stealing or whatever I’m doing. Now I have become a role model. So the kids, when I come around, they call me teacher. I know, even if I’m not a qualified teacher, it still really feels nice, that there are some kids who pay attention to me’. 20 year old Holiday school volunteer. For more comments read Township Youth about Volunteering.

Holiday schools model

Holiday schools are based on a model that was developed together with a team of South African youngsters from Zwelihle township in Hermanus. Main principles of the model are:

• Local volunteers (teachers, parents, youngsters and others) manage the holiday school. Young volunteers are the backbone.
• The local organisation or school is responsible for acquiring South African donations: money, equipment, discounts, venues. We only co-sponsor.
• Children pay a daily entrance fee: money or recyclables(glass or plastic bottles, or tins). Lack of money may not prevent a child from paticipating.
• Young volunteers should be trained.
• Young volunteers will be able to earn credits for a Scholarship.

A free booklet 'The SAF Holiday Schools Model: a manual for schools and organisations' - can be downloaded from our website. A presentation 'How to organise a holiday school' is also available.

Alcoholism, HIV and AIDS

‘… the young people including volunteers value the programme. It is also very clear that they need such an intervention desperately due to the socio–economic factors in the community. … the young people view the programme as an opportunity to acquire skills that can support them in escaping alcoholism, crime, abuse, HIV and AIDS and in making informed choices in life. Words cannot express the joy and transformation that young people went through …' Spokesperson Department of Education of the Western Cape

Facts and figures

To Facts

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Thank you for harnassing the power of hope and making a significant difference in the lives of South Africa's future leaders.

Other What we Do Pages

• Out-of-school Child Care Programme
• Child Sponsorship Programme
• After School Care
• Scholarship Programme
• Testimonials

Questions or suggestions?

Yes please, contact us.