It takes a village...
Recently Howland Studios returned from a two-week trip to South Africa with Africa Foundation (USA) to visit bush villages and learn how the Foundation helps empower communities. As you might recall, our last trip to South Africa 7 years ago resulted in a new kitchen for Veyulani Primary School in the community of Lillydale through fundraising efforts and the help of other donors. This year when we entered the village we hardly recognized it! The dirt roads are paved and the mud huts with thatched roofs are replaced with sturdy block homes. The school children now learn in a clean environment with running water, electricity, a complete kitchen, and PAID teachers. Families are moving to Lillydale for the education and today it is a thriving community. We cannot express how wonderful it feels that, with YOUR help, we made such an impact for the people of Lillydale. And now I'm thrilled to share that we have an opportunity to do even more!
During our stay in March we visited community schools, orphans and vulnerable children centers, and businesses to learn about how Africa Foundation, the communities, and the government work together to help better lives in remote areas. Schools and preschools fall under the umbrella of the Department of Social Development to provide funds for operational costs, staff, and meals to support nutritional programs.
One preschool in particular stood out from the others. A Hi Kuriseni Créche currently has one dilapidated classroom, a makeshift toilet, and a barely standing dirt kitchen built of steel you can see in the photo above. The teachers who serve this school volunteer daily with no pay to care for and educate the children. They have zero running water or electricity and, until the government sees the full infrastructure completed with new classrooms, toilet rooms, and a kitchen facility, these deplorable conditions will not change.
This is where we step in! Let's help Africa Foundation (USA) raise funds to build this kitchen so that A Hi Kuriseni will qualify for the government support they so desperately need!
Please help us in raising $15,000 to fund a new kitchen for the A Hi Kuriseni Pre-school and aid them in becoming a stronger, self-sufficient community. Make an online donation using Africa Foundation (USA)’s secure payment system below and register for our fundraising event in October of 2018. After all, it really does take a village.
Africa Foundation (USA)’s Donation Instructions: