Empowering South African Youth Through Education

     This time our progress report comes as a shout-out to The Umkhumbane Schools Project’s phemomenal social work team – truly a team now! Thanks to the support of our GlobalGiving donors, the USP was able to bring a second social worker on board in May so that we now have a full-time team of two — Phume and Sne — bringing their energy and skills to this vital work.

     Social work support is some of the most significant assistance that the USP offers our learners, as it gets to the heart of their lives and the kinds of challenges they face in a community full of great promise but also deep, persistent need.  The assistance that Phume and Sne provide runs the full gamut from counseling, to referrals, to family meetings, and other supports specific to the needs of any individual learner. 

     What better, more visible example is there of what a dedicated USP social worker can do than seeing one of our learners put on a pair of glasses for the first time after many years in classrooms without being able to see the blackboard!  Several times each year our social workers take small groups of learners to our partner optometrist (shout out to Goga Optometrists at Glenwood Village in Durban) for eye exams and vision care, with all costs covered by the USP – thanks to your generosity through GlobalGiving.  Add to this the many counseling sessions, home visits, clinic visits, appointments with medical specialists, scheduling and transportation for sexual trauma counseling sessions, and provision of grocery vouchers and other financial support for learners’ families as needed, and the full scope of the USP’s social work impact becomes clear.

     Taking on an average of 3-4 new cases per week, our social workers get to know the learners as people, listening to their stories and really understanding who they are and what challenges they face.  Most of our learners are shouldering significant hardship in their lives, so the problems to be addressed are often quite wrenching – yet our team meets the learners where they are with skill, caring, and an unfailing dedication. 

     Our social workers also lead the USP’s Girls Club and Big & Little Sisters programs, providing guidance and belonging to girls at the start of high school in the eighth grade to help them navigate and feel safe and supported in what can often be a turbulent environment.  After completing the Grade 8 Girls Club curriculum, learners can apply to be Big Sisters to incoming 8^th graders starting in their Grade 10 year.  A similar program for Grade 8 boys is in the works – so stay tuned for an update on that.

     While the USP’s signature academic support programs continue to thrive, our social workers provide support that enables learners and their familes to thrive!  This is all happening thanks to your generous giving to The Umkhumbane Schools Project.  These glasses, these groceries, this counseling, these medical visits, this love and care ... comes from you!

     We are so grateful for your ongoing support.  Happy Summer to you and your family!

With sincere appreciation,

Martha