Global South Africans

GSA members may be interested in adopting a South African school. We have been looking at options and will help members make the necessary connections. One approach is to work through the National Department of Education’s 400 Schools program, which has identified excellent candidate schools for adoption. Another is SchoolTrade, an NGO based in Kwazulu Natal.

400 Schools: The National Department of Education has identified 400 schools for adoption. Each school has the leadership and the capacity to capitalize on the support it will receive. Adopting companies - or individuals - are encouraged, as a condition of adoption, to set “hard targets” from the principal on agreed goals such as improved math and science results. Adopters are encouraged to visit their schools, perhaps twice a year, to see how their money has been spent. The adopt-a-school programme has been set up to keep bureaucracy to a minimum by having adopters deal directly with school principals. GSA has contact details for each school.

SchoolTrade: SchoolTrade has been active in Pietermaritzburg since 2003. Currently it assists 20 needy schools representing approximately 10 000 children from Grade R to Grade 12. Its main aims are to make a tangible difference in the quality of teaching and learning in township and rural schools and to provide donors with an opportunity to make a measurable impact on the quality of education in needy schools and build personal relationships with these schools. SchoolTrade’s website is: www.schooltrade.co.za . You can adopt a school for a year for $ 2352.00 or $ 196.00 per month, or you can make a once-off donation to purchase equipment.

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