KiDS Foundation: Six months later

Tue, 7 February 2012

“Thank you for all you have done for me. KiDS has been the rock on which I can build my future. I have done so well and I am so proud. I will stay in touch and hope to be able to work in KiDS one day.” Matriculant 2011

IMPACT REPORT: KiDS Foundation: High School Projects for Disadvantaged Children

In 2007, this project set out to give six learners from around the country the opportunity to attend good high schools that their parents would otherwise be unable to afford. KiDS Foundation provided these learners with holistic scholarships that cover school fees, uniforms, textbooks, stationery, transport, sports equipment, musical instruments, school camps, learner outings, school bags and projects. At the end of 2008, one of the learners withdrew from the programme after changing schools. The remaining five learners have successfully completed matric and have exciting plans for their lives ahead.

A new stage of life

Through the support of the KiDS Foundation, the five learners received support and guidance that greatly increased their chances of doing well at high school and entering into tertiary studies. All five beneficiaries achieved university exemptions. Four of the learners will be pursuing tertiary studies, while the fifth has decided to spend some time gaining work experience before pursuing a degree.

Of the beneficiaries:

• One is spending time at an engineering firm before enrolling for mechanical or electrical engineering in 2013
• One will be doing her Bachelor of Education at the University of the Western Cape
• A third is studying sports coaching and sports management at Boland College
• Another is enrolled for drama at the University of Stellenbosch, and
• The final learner will be doing a Social Science degree at the University of Cape Town.

This group now joins the ranks of KiDS Foundation Alumni who have successfully completed high school and now have the opportunity to study further. In the long term, this will lead to better career prospects and ultimately to economic independence. The success of previous KiDS foundation beneficiaries at university suggests that with hard work and dedication to achieving their goals, these five beneficiaries are well-prepared for university and their lives beyond.

The final stretch: Matric year for five Kids Foundation learners

Thu, 21 April 2011

“Sometimes you question your efforts but hard work always pays off and you feel so rewarded. My extra Maths this year is already making a difference.” Scholar L

REPORT 5: KiDS Foundation: High School Projects for Disadvantaged Children

KiDS Foundation’s mission is to build our nation through education. The organisation provides scholarships to high school learners who would otherwise not be able to attend costly former Model C schools. Five students from the KiDS Foundation have now completed their Grade 11 year and are currently in their matric year. Since 2007, these learners have been attending five quality high schools in the Western Cape. Their attention is now focused on achieving good results in order to be accepted into tertiary institutions.

Outputs and Impact

Through SASIX funding, KiDS Foundation is covering the learners schooling costs. This includes school fees, textbooks, transport, equipment for sports and cultural activities as well as school outings. Due an increase of school fees since 2007, KiDS Foundation has resolved to use SASIX funding for these fees and cover the remaining schooling cost using other funds.

Highlights from the learner’s latest performance reviews include:

• Scholar A is now a prefect at her school and is working hard to achieve her academic goals. She hopes to pursue either a teaching or psychology degree at the University of Cape Town (UCT). KiDS Foundation staff believe that she posses the right qualities to become a good teacher.
• Scholar B is also a prefect at his school. He has achieved A’s and B’s in English, Maths and Economics. While he participates in sporting activities, his cultural activities will receive more attention this year as he plans to pursue English, Drama and Music at UCT next year.
• Scholar C continues to serve as the captain of his cricket team. His hard work has resulted in good results in Maths and he is still making the most of his extra maths lessons. He would like to study engineering at UCT next year.
• Scholar D wants to study Sociology or Psychology at either UCT of the University of the Western Cape next year. Thus far she is coping well with all her subjects and continues to be involved with extra-mural activities. She has also taken on leadership roles in school as a deputy choir representative and form captain.
• Scholar F’s grade 11 results are satisfactory; she has improved her Maths mark by 20%. She believes that she has to apply herself to her Computer Applications Technology class before her June exams. Not having a computer at home makes this difficult. Her dedication to her matric studies has led her to put aside her passion for hockey and concentrate solely on her studies during this year. In her future studies, she would like to pursue Sports Science and Administration at the University of Stellenbosch or the University of the Western Cape next year.

Activities

• Learners will participate in a hike during the second and third terms
• KiDS Foundation will conduct a career guidance and tertiary funding workshop for matric learners in August. The opportunity is aimed at ensuring that students submit high-quality applications to their chosen tertiary institutions on time.
• An Outward Bound training will take place during the April holidays, which three SASIX sponsored students will attend. The training focuses of personal development and leadership skills and also includes extreme adventure activities.

Challenges

No major problems were reported by KiDS Foundation during the learner’s Grade 11 year. One of the learners did however have some difficulty with her Computer Applications class because she did not have access to a computer at home. She was nonetheless able to overcome this and pass her class.

Expenditure

The total project budget is R 300 000 over five years. The budget for 2010 was R 60 000, though KiDS Foundation eventually spent R78 394 because of escalating school fees. KiDS Foundation raised the additional funding themselves.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Scholar co-ordinators continue to monitor the performance of KiDS Foundation learners. This is done by means of school reports and interactions between learners and coordinators.

Conclusions and Analysis

Having begun their educational journey with KiDS Foundation more than four years ago, the five learners are nearing the end of their high school careers. Thus far they have excelled in their academic, sporting and cultural activities. They have already mapped out some possible paths for the future. For now, their focus will remain of gaining good matric results and preparing to apply for tertiary institutions. KiDs Foundation will assist learners with their university applications as well as applying for bursaries.

KiDS Foundation achieve in classroom and on sports field

Thu, 15 July 2010

"I have expanded my ideas, opinions and horizons through the exposed to many different sides of education – academically, socially, culturally and through community service." - Learner D

REPORT 4: KiDS Foundation: High School Projects for Disadvantaged Children (http:/www.sasix.co.za/projects/view/EDU-WC-MAY-0002/)

In 2007, this project set out to give six learners from around the country the opportunity to attend good high schools that their parents would otherwise be unable to afford. KiDS Foundation provided these learners with holistic scholarships that cover school fees, uniforms, textbooks, stationery, transport, sports equipment, musical instruments, school camps, learner outings, school bags and projects. At the end of 2008, one of the learners withdrew from the programme after changing schools. The remaining five learners continued perform well both academically and in the sporting arena in 2009, during which they all completed Grade 10.

Outputs and Impact

• Learner A from Groote Schuur High thoroughly enjoyed captaining his cricket team this summer. He has learned that his academics should take priority over his sporting interests if he is going to reach all of his academic goals. His extra Maths lessons have helped improve his results, giving him confidence and encouraging him to retain his determination to work even harder. He remains an affable, polite student with good leadership potential and maintains that he “loves being at Groote Schuur High where I have plenty of opportunity to succeed”.

• Learner B from Pinelands High School continued to apply herself in the remainder of 2009 and did well in her exams at the end of the year, almost reaching her goal of an average of 62%. She is experiencing some difficulty with Maths and will start extra lessons this year which should help to push her average up even further. She is developing more confidence as a leader and has been elected as the KiDS rep at Pinelands High School this year. She still involves herself in as many school activities as she can and truly believes that “circumstances need not ever stand in the way of being successful and reaching one’s goals”.

• Learner C from Paul Roos Gimnasium continues to flourish and set high goals for himself. He recently announced that “This is my year, the year I will show everyone what I can truly accomplish.” He is an eloquent character, an excellent communicator and is very determined pass this year with A’s and B’s. He recently started taking extra Maths classes which are helping him grow in confidence. Although he passionately enjoys drama, singing, acting and debating he vows that he will not let these extra-mural activities stand in the way of academic success. Learner B experienced many disappointments and family difficulties last year but has decided to adopt a positive attitude reflected in his statement; “will they get me down? No – they have made me stronger!”

• Learner D from Rustenburg Girls’ High continues to make the most of the various activities offered at Rustenburg. She has resolved that her academic performance will take precedence over these activities especially now as she is preparing for Matric. She was disappointed when she did not reach her goal of a 65% average, but it has made her all the more determined to do so this year. She loves the competitive environment at Rustenburg and feels that she has been “expanded my ideas, opinions and horizons by being exposed to many different sides of education – academically, socially, culturally and through community service."

• Learner F from Hottentots Holland High did better at the end of the year despite experiencing unsettling and disruptive home circumstances. She is focused and determined this year, and aims to pass Grade 11 with good results in preparation for Matric. She is training hard for the upcoming hockey season and wants to remain ‘fit in mind and body’ as she tackles challenges in 2010. She is working hard at her Maths and Science as she still harbours the dream of studying sports science or bio-kinetics after Matric. We are sure that she will persevere this year and make the most of her talents and abilities. “I know I can overcome things that stand in my way – I will make sure I jump over all obstacles in 2010.”

Expenditure

The total budget for this project in 2009 was R60 000.

Due to the higher than expected increase in school fees in 2009, they overspent by R1449.00. All amounts that were not covered by the SASIX budget were funded through the KiDS Foundation's reserves.

Challenges

KiDS Foundation supports learners from previously disadvantaged backgrounds through school using donor funds. Between 2008 and 2009, the foundation went from supporting 51 scholars to 132 in 2009. As a result, the main challenge in 2009 was adjusting to the care and mentoring of more scholars. The exceptional cooperation with the schools, good communication with the scholars, and the willingness of facilitators to be flexible and work harmoniously helped the KiDS Foundation successfully complete this task.

Monitoring and Evaluation

KiDs Foundation have employed two scholar facilitators that work fulltime with the scholars and coordinators at all of their schools. The progress of the scholars is constantly evaluated through school reports and various interactions with them and the school coordinators. Performance reviews with the scholars took place twice in 2009 (in February and July) and performance interventions (apart from extra Maths lessons) were not necessary for the 5 scholars funded through SASIX.

Conclusions and Analysis

The KiDS Foundation learners funded through SASIX performed well in 2009, laying a solid foundation for their Matric year. The learners have embraced the opportunity to get involved with the rich extra-mural programme offered by their schools and have mostly found a good balance between academic and extra-mural activities.

Six learners begin Grade 10 at good high schools

Wed, 5 August 2009

“I am prepared to work really hard to obtain the required marks and I am grateful that you have chosen me as a recipient of this scholarship. This is an indication of the belief you have in me and the potential that you see in my abilities.” - Learner D (Grade 10), Rustenburg Girls’ High School.

REPORT 3: KiDS Foundation: project provides bursaries for disadvantaged children

This project enables six learners from around the country, who have shown the will and potential to succeed, to each complete five years of schooling at a good high school. Bursaries cover the learners’ school fees, uniforms, textbooks, stationery, transportation, sports equipment, musical instruments, school camps, learner outings, school bags and projects. The learners are mentored on an ongoing basis through visits to schools, home visits, outings, functions, newsletters and letters, as well as regular contact with their families.

Outputs and Impact

Six high school learners (as proposed) are being educated at six schools where their parents or guardians would not have been able to afford the fees. These learners have progressed from Grade 8 in 2007 to Grade 10 in 2009.

• Learner A from Groote Schuur High School has remained a hard worker and though some of his marks show a steady improvement, from 50% - 60%, and from 60% - 70%, he has realised that he needs to work hard on subjects with which he has difficulty, e.g. Maths. His extra lessons in Maths paid off in 2008, and he attained a mark in the 50s. He is passionate about his cricket, continues to captain his school team and would love to play professional cricket for SA one day before he settles down to a career in engineering or IT.

• Learner B from Pinelands High School has excelled in most of her subjects (scoring above 60 or 70% for English, Economics, History, Geography, Art and Life Orientation), but found Maths and Science tough in 2008. She is dedicated to improving these marks in 2009, with effort put into extra lessons. She remains a good leader and an inspiration to others, is confident and quietly self-assured and encourages her peers to believe in themselves. She triumphed over adverse circumstances last year when her mother was involved in a very bad accident and spent three months in hospital. “I know I have the inner strength to achieve whatever I set out to do,” she says.

• Learner C from Paul Roos Gymnasium is serious about being a success one day and is always planning the way forward to meet his goals. He did well academically once again (scoring 60s and 70s for most subjects, and making a substantial improvement in Maths.) He continues to be an avid participant in the debating society and the school choir (they practised hard for a big performance on 18 March). He is starting to get fit for the rugby season and he remains one of KiDS Foundation’s best communicators about his daily activities and successes. “I will make sure that I always have good news for the KiDS Foundation,” he says.

• Learner D from Rustenburg Girls’ High once again showed outstanding effort, gaining substantial achievements in all of her subjects. She improved in Science from 55% - 62% (a huge effort as most learners find this a very challenging subject). She remains one of the KiDS Foundation’s learners most committed to community service, and she continues to find great joy in her choir activities.

• Learner E from Strand High School had an unhappy year in 2008 (although he excelled in sport), which affected his overall academic performance. While he passed his subjects, they did not reflect his true ability (he has A aggregate potential). He left Strand High at the end of 2008. After sensitive investigation it emerged that he was not coping with the social pressures at Strand High and wanted to change schools at the end of 2008 (the end of his Grade 9 year).

• Learner F from Hottentots Holland High has continued to do her best, achieving satisfactory results at the end of the year. She scored good marks in her learning subjects, such as History and Geography (60 – 70%), her languages and Life Orientation, though she experienced difficulty with Maths and Science. She is now in a tutorial group for both of these subjects. Her knee was quite badly injured in a hockey game and she was distressed at the inactivity it caused. She has, however, recovered, and though she faces difficult living conditions at home, she is eager and motivated to achieve academically and on the sports field this year.

Activities

The project activities included the continuing care and mentoring of the six learners in 2009. After their second performance review in July and goal setting for December, they worked extremely hard to achieve their goals in the end-of-year exams. The learners continued to enjoy various informal meetings and outings with scholar facilitators and fellow KiDS learners, and all attended a celebration of 2008 and welcoming function for new 2009 learners at Wynberg Boys High School on 1 December. They also received a newsletter, a gift (KiDS coffee mug) , a KiDS calendar and an inspirational talk from the Chairman, a Grade 11 KiDS learner and a member of the KiDS Alumni Society who is studying a business degree at TSIBA College.

Expenditure

The cost of the project was R 300,000, which has been paid in full.

This amount relates to ‘school equipment’ incorporating stationary, textbooks and uniform. This amount has been broken down in subsequent years.

Challenges

KiDS Foundation reported that problems were minimal and the only issue was that one of the learners, Learner E, although excelling in sport, did not achieve his usual high standard academically. At first it was thought that he was concentrating too hard on his sport (he is a Boland cricketer and rugby player) but after sensitive investigation, it emerged that he was not coping with the social pressures at Strand High and wanted to change schools at the end of 2008 (the end of his Grade 9 year).

His parents, after much deliberation, decided that his happiness and wellbeing were of prime importance and enrolled him in a ‘township’ school for 2009 (which his parents can now afford financially). The KiDS Foundation does not work with this school and his scholarship was therefore withdrawn for 2009. The organisation remains in close contact with the learner and his family and reports that he is once again thriving.

His funds (R30,000 for 2009, 2010 and 2011) may be reallocated to another Grade 10 learner. However, the KiDS Foundation feels that, practically, these funds will easily be spent on the other five learners over the next three years, as school fees have risen by unexpectedly high margins over the last two years. This is evident from the expenditure sheets.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Implementing and evaluating the project involves the care and mentoring of the learners. Evaluation of their success is continuous, via school reports and interaction. Performance reviews with the learners took place twice in 2008 (in February and July) and performance intervention (apart from extra Maths lessons) was not necessary with any of the SASIX KiDS.

The monitoring and evaluation of the project will be ongoing over the learners’ remaining years in high school (until 2011) and progress reports will be submitted to SASIX in February and July each year until all the learners have matriculated.

Conclusions and Analysis

KiDS Foundation maintains that it is important to remain sensitive to learner needs and ensure that they are coping socially and emotionally, as well as academically. Although the situation with Learner E is disappointing, his happiness and wellbeing is vital to their success, even if this means accepting decisions that may be upsetting. KiDS Foundation has always sought to partner parents in educating their children, rather than adopt an authoritarian attitude when it comes to making decisions about a child’s future.

The project continues to maximise the potential of the learners through partnering with parents and enabling them to send their children to the schools of their choice, where their children can receive an excellent education, contributing to the future stability and prosperity of South Africa.

Six learners progress through Grade 9 at quality high schools

Mon, 1 December 2008

“I would never be able to achieve what I have if I wasn’t at a school with a reputation like Strand High.”

REPORT 2: KiDS Foundation: High school bursaries for disadvantaged children

This project is enabling six learners from around the country, who have shown the will and potential to succeed, to complete five years each of schooling at a good quality high school. Bursaries cover the learners’ school fees, uniforms and shoes, text books, stationery, transportation, sports equipment, musical instruments, school camps, scholar outings, school bags and projects. The six learners are mentored on an ongoing basis through visits to schools, home visits, outings, functions, newsletters and letters and regular contact with their families.

Impact

Six Grade 8 high school learners (as proposed) are being educated at 6 schools where their parents/guardians would not have been able to afford the fees:

• Learner A at Groote Schuur High has worked hard in the first half of this year and has attained satisfactory results in his June exams. He has been attending extra Maths lessons as well and has since improved his Maths marks. He had an excellent cricket season in the first term and has enjoyed playing rugby for the U15 A team this winter. He has set good goals for his next exams in November and is determined to achieve them.

• Learner B at Pinelands High remains a diligent learner and she achieved some excellent results in her June exams. She did particularly well in English, Life Orientation, Economics and Art. She loves debating and is a strong spokesman for the empowerment of women. She has great leadership qualities, plays netball and is a “mature, enthusiastic and motivated learner” (a quote from her school report!)

• Learner C who attends Paul Roos Gymnasium did well in his June exams achieving his goals in all subjects except Geography. He is still very involved in debating and he is now playing rugby this winter as well. He had also started music lessons and sung a solo in a concert. He is an excellent communicator and it is a delight to see him use every opportunity that comes his way.

• Learner D attending Rustenburg Girls High has produced some really good results this year so far attaining nearly all her goals. She did especially well in Economics, Life Orientation and showed great improved in Maths. She remains involved in school societies and has begun singing in the choir.

• Learner E attending Strand High continues to excel at sport (cricket, rugby and athletics) and has seen an improvement in his marks since June. He enjoyed the last of his rugby season, excelling in his last game with scoring a few tries. He remains proud of his school and feels that he would never be able to achieve what he has “if I wasn’t at a school with a reputation like Strand High.”

• Learner F who attends Hottentots Holland High has achieved great things against great odds this year. She has consistently achieved her goals and attained good marks in her June exams. She continues to excel at hockey and is an active member of the JIK Society (the Christian Union) at her school and enjoys the Toastmasters club where she feels she is learning the art of debating and speaking in public.

Activities

The project activities include the care and mentoring of the 6 learners so far this year. They have had two performance reviews. The first was used to set goals for June and the second was based on their June reports and used to assess whether they achieved their goals and also where they set goals for December. They have received two newsletters so far this year and enjoyed a Grade 9 hike in Silvermine led by an experienced hiker. They have had several meetings with scholar facilitators and have been encouraged by letter, email and through telephone calls as well. Sports matches and cultural events were also attended by trustees. A study skills and time management workshop will be held for them in mid-November in time for their year-end exams and a big year-end celebration and family get-together will be held at the beginning of December.

The project to educate these six KiDS scholars will span their 5 years in high school starting in January 2007 and ending in December 2011. So far they have benefited from their Grade 8 year in 2007 and three terms of their Grade 9 year in 2008.

Expenditure

The cost of the project is R 300,000, which has been paid in full.

Challenges

No problems have been encountered in educating and mentoring these scholars in 2008. The main challenge remains helping some of them to overcome the problems of poverty such as housing and transport. Kids Foundation have assisted with transport in some situations and helped to make sure that practical problems, like not having a good place to study, do not stand in the way of achievement. Another challenge is to make sure that they are able to go on sports tours and school camps and to ensure that they have adequate equipment like their more privileged peers.

The other challenge is providing support academically as many of them have been educated beyond their parents who are unable to help them with homework and projects. KiDS Foundation constantly monitors the situation and provides extra lessons when and where necessary. All of the SASIX-funded learners are however doing well and coping with all the challenges they face.

Monitoring and evaluation

The steps evaluate the project involve the care and mentoring of the scholars. Evaluation of their success is constant via school reports. Regular performance reviews are conducted with the scholars and intervention takes place if progress is unsatisfactory. The monitoring and evaluation of the project will be ongoing and constant over the six learners’ five years in high school (2007 – 2011).

Conclusions

KiDS Foundation was established to partner parents and enable them to send their children to the schools of their choice where their children could receive an excellent education, maximizing their potential and contributing to the future stability and prosperity of South Africa as a nation. With the actual impact of the project developing over the years, the KiDS Foundation seeks to further ‘build our nation through education’ by enrolling a record number of 130 scholars in 2009.

Six learners successfully complete Grade 7 at quality high schools

Mon, 26 May 2008

“My long term goal is to make the most of all I can here at Paul Roos and to become a Rhodes Scholar because I know I can do it.”

REPORT 1: The KiDS Foundation: High school scholarships for disadvantaged children

This project is enabling six learners from around the country, who have shown the will and potential to succeed, to complete five years each of schooling at a good quality high school. Bursaries cover the learners’ school fees, uniforms and shoes, text books, stationery, transportation, sports equipment, musical instruments, school camps, scholar outings, school bags and projects. The six learners are mentored on an ongoing basis through visits to schools, home visits, outings, functions, newsletters and letters and regular contact with their families.

Impact

Six Grade 8 high school scholars (as proposed) are being educated at 6 schools where their parents/guardians would not have been able to afford the fees:

• Learner A is at Groote Schuur High and did very well in most subjects during the year in Grade 8. He loves his school and feels that “I would never be able to achieve so much if I hadn’t been able to come to this school.”
• Learner B at Pinelands High School is a very talented and eloquent learner whose ambition is to be a paediatrician. She has an excellent work ethic and excels in most subjects.
• Learner C is at Paul Roos Gymnasium and is bright and ambitious and full of potential. He is a gifted and passionate debater and last year was the only Grade 8 chosen to represent Boland in the national debating competition.
• Learner D is in Grade 9 at Rustenburg Girls’ High and is a lively pupil, involved in many aspects of school life. She obtained a distinction (96%) for her music theory exam and has been chosen to be part of the Helen Keller Society (they read to blind people once a week) and the school’s Audio Visual team.
• Learner E at Strand High School is a bright spark who did brilliantly in Grade 7 (achieving As and Bs for all his subjects). He enjoyed great success on the sporting field too and says that this “would not have been possible if he hadn’t attended a school where there were such good teachers and such good coaching.”
• Learner F at Hottentots Holland High is a dedicated and hard-working learner who did well academically in 2007 in spite of difficult home circumstances. She says “I love my school and would never have had the same opportunities if I hadn’t come to HHH. I feel like everybody else here and the teachers are wonderful.”

Activities

In 2007 three newsletters were sent to scholars, a number of outings or functions were organized, home-visits conducted, reports from schools obtained, extra lessons organized and frequent contact made through telephone calls as well. Sports matches and cultural events were also attended by trustees.

The project to educate these six KiDS scholars will span their 5 years in high school starting in January 2007 and ending in December 2011. So far they have benefited from their Grade 8 year in 2007 and are all in Grade 9 in 2008.

Expenditure

The cost of the project is R300,000 which has been paid in full.

Challenges

No problems were encountered in educating and mentoring these scholars in 2007. The main challenge remains helping some of them to overcome the problems of poverty such as housing and transport. KiDS Foundation have assisted with transport in some situations and helped to make sure that practical problems – like not having a good place to study – do not stand in the way of achievement. Another challenge is to make sure that they are able to go on sports tours and school camps and to ensure that they have adequate equipment like their more privileged peers.

Monitoring and evaluation

The steps evaluate the project involve the care and mentoring of the scholars. Evaluation of their success is constant via school reports. Regular performance reviews are conducted with the scholars and intervention takes place if progress is unsatisfactory.

The monitoring and evaluation of the project will be ongoing and constant over the six learners’ five years in high school (2007 – 2011).

Conclusions

In 2008 the KiDS Foundation (turning 14 in April) celebrates the provision of 1221 years of education to 176 scholars. Over 40 alumni in the KiDS Alumni Society stay in touch with the organisation and are, for the most part, in varying stages of tertiary education and building their future. They are a diverse group and their careers range from medicine to finance to motor mechanics, teaching, law, business, advertising, journalism, fashion design, public relations, engineering and marketing. They are mindful of their pledge to one day support a KiDS scholar and it is heartening to see their determination and perseverance as they pursue their careers.

The KiDS Foundation is supported by corporate companies, several trust funds and private individuals within South Africa as well as various organizations overseas. The investment of existing funds and ongoing public relations and fundraising ensure security for the future.