Life Community Services

I am applying because we believe that all children should have an opportunity to succeed, find hope, purpose and a future. This can only be done once self-worth is established. Most of the children and youth have NO sense of self-worth and value. One of the building blocks in our holistic approach is  education. The areas we are working in and the children we are working with have no hope for a future and therefore they cannot achieve.

Your purpose is not determined by your background, your place of residence and circumstances should not be the defining matter in your life.

The Orphaned and Vulnerable Children(OVC’s) we are working with deserve an opportunity in LIFE and I believe we can give them this through quality education.

We would use these funds to build the school that is currently wooden wendy-houses that we renovated and updated.  This is not ideal but the current reality in South Africa is that there is no funding available and therefore we are excited to enter into the Elevated Prize funding to see if we qualify for funds to build our school. The amount is exactly what we need to build from Grade 1-7

As a teacher, I have always been intrigued by the fact that solid foundational education impacts the development of a child and that a holistic approach is  needed at all levels of education to ensure equilibrium in the lives of the children. We came to South Africa in 2000 as tour leaders for a church and I was challenged re the plight of the children in the townships who were not attending school, did not have a home-life and caught in abuse and neglect. I shared my thoughts of meaningful change and the lady told me to come and "do it myself" if I am so passionate about it. We had to make a difficult decision. Leave our children in the USA, pack-up and sell up for the sake of the vision of seeing thousands of children having an opportunity to have a valuable existence and contribute bringing meaningful change to society. The decision was difficult as I was awarded a full scholarship through University of Pittsburgh to study Early Childhood Education. Our Goal was to bring  change to the children through a holistic approach with EDUCATION as the main goal. Our Motto: Touch and LIFE and Mend a heart

One problem we face is 45% of children are Child-headed households. In line with the concerns, a presentation of the Department of Social Development, 47.9% of those interviewed were under the age of 20.

A situational analysis of child-headed households in South Africa. In the same paper the following needs were identified which confirms our holistic approach for OVC’s. “Food 57.6 % Clothes 54.8% Money 38.1% Shelter/housing 51.6% Education 17.3%.” A concern is that education is of low importance as OVC’s do not see the need to stay in school. Our goal is Educate children, clothe, feed, take care of them to give expression to their God-given talents and find who they are.

Hunger: Nutrition program: Feed +-1200 children per day;  Clothing +-10 children clothed per day. OVC's are caught in alcohol/drug abuse, violence and rape.

Preschool programs: “Research confirms first five years are particularly important for the development of the child's brain. First three years most critical in shaping the child's brain architecture. They have a direct impact on children developing learning-skills, social and emotional abilities”

We feed, clothe and educate. Children cannot land in a non-operational system after Kindergarten. Therefore the utmost importance of a school

In every social enterprise’s theory of change, there is a step where someone must do something different to have a lasting impact. We are doing “different” with the idea of an independent school in the township with supporting programs.

What is different?  Our belief in providing opportunities for children to discover their self-worth the cycle of poverty can be broken in families who have been caught in it for decades. In providing opportunities for self-sustainability and Education for OVC’s, this takes them to another level. The holistic approach is revolutionary. Children cannot only:

 get food(soup kitchen);

be sermonised (Bible Teachings);

Develop their music abilities, sport abilities, gymnastics, dancing and other skills (soul)

Be educated (Preschool and School)

It is in  ALL THE ABOVE aspects that children succeed!

• In the preschool program the basis of their social skills, their cognitive skills and their small and large motor skills are developed which would not be so had they just been left to fend for themselves.
• The hope of someone caring to give them a “safe-place” to live and place boundaries in their lives.
• To know that their basic needs (food, clothing, water, safety, love and ) are taken care of.

Children are, on the most part, vulnerable and we have a proven record of protecting the vulnerable. The fact that many are adults now after 20 years and have a purpose, vision for their lives and holding jobs as well as studying.

Our impact on the community and humanity has far-reaching impacts.

The steps to create a sustainable NGO that will continue to have a positive impact on the community is as follows:

1. Team: working with our team with an upended pyramid where the staff from the community are trained and equipped to eventually take the lead.
2. The programs are evolving according to rules, regulations and need in the communities.
3. This is an effective way to achieve our planned impact due to the youth coming through the programs and knowing what is expected as well as what is needed.
4. Another effective purpose is that no teacher and worker is more effective than someone coming from the background and community we are endeavouring to bring change. That is where we get most of our work-force.
5. By setting clear and achievable goals for staff and youth and allowing them to be part of the goal-setting.