We’re appealing for support in raising the funds to cover the 2019 school fees required for our 12 children.
Although there are some government grants available, they are not easily accessed and therefore we have to fund our childrens’ education totally through donations to our Trust.
In order to give our children, the best advantage in life and place them in the better schools where they can grow to be fully integrated into society, we have to pay full school fees.
Over the years school fees have vastly increased in cost, for example, an average cost per year for one child is;
- R22,000.00 £1,200.00 €1,350.00 $1,540.00
Today, we are proud to say that we have 11 previously abused and abandoned children, who are now rehabilitated and going to 7 different main stream schools, fully supported by a team of remedial teachers, home foster mothers and outside occupational therapists.
This has been a tremendous challenge since the Trust was established in 2009 and it is wonderful to see the transformation of these once fearful and shy children, some of whom at age 7-8 years old, had never attended school or pre-primary classes, now, so full of confidence and improved in school performance.
Your support is urgently required as we are 100% reliant on donations;
Easy transfers are possible by EFT:
A/c: St Francis Outreach Trust
Standard Bank SA, Ltd.
Fishhoek
Branch Number : 036009
Account Number: 271 907 185
Swift: SBZAZAJJ
Please, ask us for a tax certificate!
In South Africa all financial contributions to the St Francis Outreach Trust are tax deductible.
Read More………………
By Monika Du Sautoy……
The South African government is by law to exempt children from under-privileged back grounds from paying school fees. However, the sad truth is that there is a lack of access to an equitable schooling system. The better schools, which are subsidized through parents paying full fees, receive limited reimbursement from the government for fee-exempted students. Coupled with a lack of capacity, the registrars are quick to point out that quotas are filled when it comes to admitting needy applicants.
To get them registered in fully functioning schools we are having to pay full school fees for most of the children. This amount has steadily increased over the years and does not include uniforms, books, sport outfits and extra-curricular events. (For many of us with overseas backgrounds, it is difficult to accept – especially myself having received – many years ago, a free education!)
Our Trust Funds are depleting at a scary rate!
In 2009 when we started the trust, we had one goal in mind – to give abandonedand abused African children a chance to live in a safe home under the loving care of a foster mother.
The importance of their Education only became an issue much later, when we realized that not every child was able to comprehend what was taught in school and that the quality of teaching in the township schools left a lot to be desired. We concluded that without proper education we were failing in our objectives in fulfilling the children’s future potential. Not just equipping them with the right skills, we even dared to imagine that with perseverance they could achieve academic excellence!
So gradually over 18 months, we moved the children to good primary schools and to English medium pre-primary facilities. The result was that the pre-primary kids adapted well, but the older students encountered tremendous challenges and some even had to repeat classes.
At this stage we found it necessary to employ a remedial teacher to assist the children wit hhomework and extra remedial lessons. As it was not possible to accommodate 11 children in the space available, we added an extension to the first foster home and created a dedicated classroom.
Today, our 11 children after being assessed by an educational Psychologist, (some pro bono) have been placed in 7 different schools according to their academic ability. The funds for a school van were generously donated by an overseas trust.
It is wonderful to see the transformation of these once fearful and shy children, some of whom at age 7-8 years old, had never attended school or pre-primary classes, now so full of confidence and improved in school performance. Behavioral problems have diminished, even if the progress report does not show an immense improvement in academic subjects.
Considering the miserable and appalling circumstances these children came from, any progress is celebrated and gratefully appreciated. They have found a new family in the ‘Homes to Grow’, love their mom and are comfortable with their “brothers and sisters”.
It would be an immense failing on our part if it comes down to having to return these children to the overcrowded, inadequate township schools …. and here is where I ask for your support.
Presently the exchange rate on overseas currency works strongly against the weak SA Rand!
Would coverage of one child’s annual school fees be possible for some of you? or half the
Amount? – – or maybe even coverage for two children?
stfrancistrust.org 