Sponsorship
Many of the children are unable to continue with attendance and education because of the family’s inability to pay even part of the small fees charged. The school regularly advises our Australian Coordinator of the names of students or families that desperately need help to continue. We then advise our supporters of the need and pray they will be able to help or pass it on to others who may be willing and able to assist this need. We will publish here such situations for your prayerful consideration. Once a sponsor is organised the names will be removed.
The sponsorship for primary school students is $40/mth and is organised through Janet (janet_thornthwaite@bigpond.com) but paid each month via Global Development Group Project J786N (Primary and Junior Secondary) or J786NA (High School) who will provide a tax-deductible receipt.
Leisha Kemunto Thomas. Grade PP2
Mary and Leisha’s father is an abusive, alcoholic man who does not care for his children. Food isn’t available in the house unless they can get work cleaning people’s clothes to buy food. (School Director, Edward says: “We can rescue the situation by supporting their education (sponsored children are given rice and beans at midday)”. Mary now has a sponsor but Leisha i still in need.
Belinda Kombe Grade 7
Belinda comes from a family of six children. Her mother left the family when she was very young but the children continued to live with their father in their family village. As her father has severe epilepsy, he was unable to work or provide even the most basic needs for his children. Belinda came to Soweto last year to live with her aunt, but with an already large family of her own she was unable to provide school fees for Belinda. Having already missed much schooling, the New Hope School Director agreed that Belinda could join New Hope school this year even though her aunt is unable to pay her school fees. Â
Gloria Mutheu Grade 7
Gloria’s mother lives with her two children in one small room in the Soweto slum. The father left the family several years ago. Her mother is uneducated and has no job apart from the occasional casual work. However, following an accident which caused spinal injuries, she finds it difficult to work. She therefore struggles to pay her house rent and is regularly threatened with eviction. It is only the receiving of food parcels from the New Hope School Food Bank that keeps hunger and malnutrition at bay for this family. Ps Edward says: “I have kept Gloria at New Hope Education Centre but there are no school fees fees paid because the mother has nothing. Sponsorship would mean everything to Gloria and her mother.
Sarah Okumu Grade 9
Sarah comes from a family of seven children. Both her parents have died. Sarah doesn’t remember her father but tragedy struck the family again when her mother was murdered in 2020. Sarah had been living with her elder sister and her husband in their village but both are jobless and have 4 children of their own. Sarah was invited to come to Soweto to live with her aunt, but having only casual work for very low pay, she is unable to pay Sarah’s school fees. Sarah would like to continue her education through High School and is praying that a sponsor will help her have a future through education.
Sponsorship also includes regular meals
We try to feed every student one good meal a day (usually beans and rice). The meal costs about 50c/child. Sponsored students are paid for from the sponsorship; some families can afford the meal; others are paid for from the “lunch fund” to which supporters can contribute. It is very sad to see some students missing out on the meal each day due to lack of funds so we try to stretch it as far as possible.
