Developing Vulnerable Kids Thru Sport South Africa

We have successfully built and launched a new literacy centre at Astra Primary School!

The centre provides a quiet and engaging space for children age 5 – 9 to access one-on-one reading support and a large selection of age-appropriate books. This initiative is aimed at encouraging the development of children’s reading abilities, developing a passion for learning and creating lifelong learners. Our centre is currently reaching 456 children weekly and we are already seeing a marked improvement in their reading abilities and confidence.

Not only has this project boosted literacy rates among the children who access the centre, but it has provided meaningful employment to 11 previously unemployed youth from the surrounding communities. We provide them with training that enables them to deliver one-on-one literacy sessions to children. Our aim is to work with these youth for the next 36 months, helping them gain permanent employment in their desired career path.

This project is the second literacy initiative launched in collaboration between United Through Sport and Masinyusane in the last two years, following the successful introduction of the Isaac Booi literacy programme in Zwide, employing 17 local youth and supporting over 788 children on a weekly basis.

"We are so proud of this partnership which addresses two fundamental needs of the community, which is early childhood literacy and youth employment.  By helping to address both needs we are making both an immediate and long-term impact in uplifting the community", Nosipho 'Spakes' Xapile, General Manager of United Through Sport. 

We are excited to keep encouraging children to learn to read and develop a passion for learning, thank you to our partners and supporters who have made this possible! 

Thank you for your support throughout this year, you have contributed to the growth and development of 3457 participants through our regular programming. Additionally, your support meant that we could reach 81,364 people through our feeding program and 12,000 people through our local TV show during the height of the pandemic.

Despite the difficulties we have faced this year, we had a number of positive outcomes that have meaningfully impacted the communities and children that we work with, including:

-  24 of our Junior School of Excellence participants have obtained fully funded high school scholarships to top-level schools

- 100% of Girls Unite participants know how to respond to challenges and problem solve

-  91% of our Mass Participation Programme participants have improved their emotional well being

-  93% of our Literacy Programme Participants have improved their reading and writing abilities

- Our Senior School of Excellence participants achieved a 100% matric pass rate

- 98% of our YOUth First participants have received employment this past year

Hear from your participants about what this year has meant to them and how it has helped them on their pathway to success:

Sibulele (Girls Unite) - “I am grateful for the opportunity they have given me, I believe that I can change the situation back at home by studying hard and being successful.”

Matthew (JSE) - “This program has taught me many things that made me more confident. I wish this program to be on for a long time and change other children’s lives like it changed mine.”

Amanda (YOUth First) -“I am grateful for this opportunity that United Through Sport youth pathways presented me. I have always been confused with what I wanted to do career-wise, but with the consultations I had with the youth program coordinator, I connected with my purpose and found my passion along the way. I am now employed doing something I genuinely love.”

We are extremely proud of our participants and our staff for all that they have achieved despite this unprecedented year.

We look forward to sharing 2021 with you and thank you again for your continued support!