Empowering South African Youth Through Education

“Hectic.”

This is a favorite word for South Africans, used to describe almost any kind of busy and chalenging situation. January is truly a hectic time at The Umkhumbane Schools Project, and this year is no exception!

It’s the time of year when our Matric students, who completed high school only a matter of weeks ago, have just now received the results from their National Senior Certificate exams. They are finding out during these busy days whether a door to higher education is open to them, as universities notify them (often by text message) as to whether they have qualified for a firm offer of admission. Once an offer is in hand, students have a very short window in which to accept, with payment of a fee just to accept the offer. Securing a spot in a dorm or off campus accommodation, many times while still waiting to receive confirmation of financial aid, is the next challenge. Classes will begin the first week of February. It is hard to describe how stressful these four weeks in January can be.

At the USP, this is the time of year when we kick into high gear to assist admitted students in accepting offers and paying registration fees. Or asking admissions offices to reconsider applicants whom they have rejected. Or helping to find alternative programs to apply for where space may still be available, for some who have passed their national exams but received only rejections. For others, our goal will be to help them find ways to upgrade their marks and reapply next year. For all, we try to offer constant reassurance that there is a path available to them if they remain determined.

While this year’s hectic season still continues to unfold, we already have much to celebrate!  There are Yola and Asanda, pictured above (L-R), whose faces may be familiar to you by now. A USP maths learner, Eskom Expo medalist, and Biodiversity Pilot program stalwart, Yola has accepted an offer to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Wits University in Johannesburg. Asanda has also been one of our maths and Biodiversity learners, and has been accepted for a BSc in Environmental Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, one of several of our Biodiversity learners to be accepted into the same Environmental Science Bachelor’s program. Others have been accepted to study for degrees or diplomas in Life and Earth Sciences, Agriculture, Analytical Chemistry, Occupational Therapy, and other promising fields.

It is thanks to you, our GlobalGiving donors, that the USP is able to help our learners navigate this difficult, sometimes discouraging -- and always hectic -- path. We are so proud of their persistence and success and so grateful for your generous support.

Happy New Year and many thanks again, from all of us at The Umkhumbane Schools Project!  We will continue to keep you updated on our activities as another exciting year unfolds!