Empowering South African Youth Through Education

Here in South Africa, final college acceptances begin rolling in just after the late-January release of results from the National Senior Certificate Examinations taken last November.  And the offers are typically received by text message!  Once an offer is received, the admitted student has three days in which to accept, pay the acceptance fee, and join the scramble to make sure they have a residence (dorm) assignment.  They must fully orient themselves towards their next phase in a very short span of time, as classes begin in late January or early February.  It is a whirlwind time of year, to be sure!

And where has the wind carried our learners this year?  Sabelo – who was one of our star Eskom EXPO for Young Scientists learners back when he was in Grade 10  --  has gained admisson to the University of KwaZulu-Natal to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering!  This is after a long year of extra study to be able to reapply after receiving disappointing results in 2022.  Way to persevere, Sabelo!  Andiswa – a standout student who first caught our attention when she joined our WAO! maths program via cell phone as a Grade 10 learner during the COVID lockdown --  will be studying mechanical engineering at the University of Cape Town, after earning A’s on her national exams.  Others will be studying for degrees in fields such as pharmacy, law, accounting, and environmental science.

We are so proud of these and all 41 Umkhumbane Schools Project students who have gained admission to higher education programs for 2023.  This brings the total number of college or university enrollments by USP learners over the last ten years to 190.  Compare this to the small handful of learners who were qualifying for university admission when the USP first came to Cato Manor, and you will know why this is one of our most cherished impact measures.

We are so grateful to you and all of our GlobalGiving donors for making all of this possible.  Thanks to you, we have the resources not only to reach out to learners with full guidance and support during the application process, but also to pay acceptance and registration fees on the learners’ behalf, or to buy a bus ticket for a student who needs to return to campus far from home but lacks funds for the bus fare.  Because of your support, the USP can step in and provide each learner what he or she needs to ensure that their hard-won admission to higher education can become an opportunity that they can actually pursue.

With hearts full of gratitude, and with so much excitement about what lies ahead in this new school year, we thank you and look forward to keeping you updated.

Sincerely

Martha Bishai and the USP Team