Last week we had the pleasure of hosting new SOS Africa child sponsors Louise, Kevin and John from the U.K. Throughout the day they visited partnering schools, SOS Education Centre’s and spent some time with our staff and kids. They kindly agreed to share their experiences here…
We live in England but bought a house in South Africa in 2020 with a view to spending increasing amounts of time there. After witnessing the extreme levels of inequality in the country we wanted to contribute something that carried the best chance of making a lasting difference. Improving the education of promising but underprivileged children from the townships seemed to be one of the best ways of addressing the underlying causes rather than just the symptoms. We found SOS Africa’s website through a Google search and were immediately impressed by how closely their approach and philosophy matched our own thinking.
They stood out from the other candidates, firstly because 100% of their donations go to education, with all costs met from the Gift Aid component of donations. Secondly, they provide practical support such as school transport and after school centres, so that children can go from a secure school environment to a safe and welcoming place where they can do homework, receive additional teaching, and just enjoy themselves. Thirdly, a Charity Commission check revealed that their founder and CEO, Matt, is not one of the trustees. This demonstrated a healthy level of emotional detachment and professionalism. Finally, an added attraction for us was that their projects are all in the Western Cape, close to our house. This meant we had the chance personally to witness their work, visit their properties, get to know their teams and, of course, meet some of the children they sponsor. We didn’t want to just make a monthly standing order.
Louise and Kevin also sponsor a Grade 1 Teacher at Sir Lowry’s Pass Village Primary School
On our latest visit to South Africa and having recently set up our sponsorship and a donation, we were able to spend the best part of a day with Matt and Claudia to see their work in action. First, we visited the Sir Lowry’s Pass primary school, immediately adjacent to the school children’s township home. We met Marina, the new teacher whose employment was funded by our donation, and whose arrival has dramatically reduced class sizes at the introductory level. We marveled at the children’s spotless uniforms, whilst appreciating Matt’s observation that this was still only the second week of term!
Our visit gave us the opportunity to observe the real-time interaction of SOS with the school, its staff and pupils. Matt and Claudia were constantly discussing, questioning and suggesting ideas. Everything was focused, practical and encouraging. And the children were not fazed by their visitors. They seemed as interested in us as we were by them, to the extent that a class doing outdoor exercises managed to carry on whilst swivelling their heads through virtually 180 degrees, and observing us through their legs, giraffe-style.
The first children sponsored by SOS Africa’s Gordon’s Bay Education Programme
Next we visited SOS’s latest Education Centre in Gordon’s Bay. This is the property they plan to extend and develop later this year. We found Claudia’s building plans to be consistent with the organisation’s general approach of ambition coupled with realism, caution against overreach and preparedness for setbacks. A good demonstration of her attitude is that she approached all of their neighbours to outline the proposals before applying for building approvals. Not only has this ensured up-front support rather than downstream objections, but she has also secured neighbourly offers of help, in the form of music and yoga lessons for the children, and construction materials.
Over lunch we were able to question them about their ethos and modus operandi. We learned about the process by which children are selected for sponsorship, incorporating an assessment of each child’s potential and aptitude, conducted by SOS’s educational psychologist, and an investigation of the availability of family support, and therefore the likelihood of sustainable progress. Amongst many, many other members of the team we met the Operations Manager, Li-andi, and learnt about how theory translates into day-to-day practice. She goes into the townships, she gets to know the children’s families, she understands their backgrounds and living conditions.
Fun and games with the SOS Africa children at St Michael’s, Elgin
Our final visit was to the Education Centre at St Michaels’s School in Elgin. This is an open, airy and brightly coloured place, designed by Claudia and so giving a foretaste of how the new Gordon’s Bay Centre will feel. We could see why the children clearly look forward to coming there, whether for help with reading difficulties, or for after school support, both educational and emotional. We particularly liked the fact that each child had their own personal locker; this is their place. Without too much persuasion we joined two separate teams for a closely fought quiz, which encouraged everyone not just to pay attention, but to analyse and think imaginatively. Kevin and I felt that our team’s last-minute victory was entirely justified and our team were jubilant. Our friend, John’s desperate attempts to demand a recount fell on deaf ears, but his team were quite forgiving, nevertheless. A final session of I-Spy (clearly a class favourite) then brought some novel discoveries, such as “something beginning with Q” does not, strictly, include a cucumber.
Seeing Matt and the team with the kids left us feeling positive about their future. It can be all too easy to despair of making a difference, but they are driven and ambitious. Whilst there is a very real drive and determination there, it is tempered by an essential appreciation of the challenges, combined with warmth, humour, pragmatism and flexibility. We have no doubt that this is just the start of our own relationship with them.
Kevin and Louise Studd
