By Christopher Eaglin | Executive Director
Dear Friends of Even Ground,
Thank you for your continued support in 2015. Your generosity has enabled us to continue our work of providing children and their communities essential health, education, and nutitrion support.
Just last week, we had our annual fundraiser at the wonderful penthouse at the Hotel on Rivington. That evening we raised over $60,000 for our projects through sponsorships, ticket sales, and the silent auction. We are so pleased for the support from our friends in NYC and beyond who have consistently assisted us in supporting the wonderful work of our projects.
As we race towards the end of the year, we remain committed to adding new projects to the Even Ground family so we can expand our reach to assist those who are truly disadvantaged. In the next report we will introduce our potential projects to you and describe our process moving forward.
To keep you abreast of our latest activities, every newsletter we will feature one of our projects. This quarter we feature The Dukathole Scholarship Fund located in Johannesburg South Africa.
We look forward to your continued to support as we move forward with strength into the second half of the year. Please consider supporting these communities and our efforts further by donating to our cause.
DUKATHOLE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Dukathole Scholarship Fund (DSF) is a comprehensive initiative designed to identify, at a very young age, the best and brightest children of previously disadvantaged backgrounds living in impoverished informal settlements within the greater Johannesburg area of South Africa. Its vision is to see its children become educated, confident, successful leaders who have the social, cultural and economic tools to play a positive role in the future of South Africa.
DSF currently provides full scholarships at top boarding schools for 10 scholars as well as clothing, nutrition, health care, and a comprehensive leadership training program. In addition, DSF provides after school tutoring and nutrition for an additional 90 students. To date, the program has raised over $300,000 to support some of South Africa's most needy children.
Ayanda and Lynden, both 14, became Dukathole Scholars as kindergarteners. Ayanda was orphaned by HIV/AIDS and Lynden witnessed his father's death as a result of a home invasion. Last year as seventh graders, these boys were top performing leaders in their school and are receiving both a quality education and leadership experiences. They have impeccable table manners; they have taken self-defence classes and have learned to swim. They have seen Nelson Mandela's prison cell on Robben Island and have toured South African universities. They have heard live opera and seen live theatre. They have been interviewed on TV and radio. They are now securing their passports and visas for an upcoming tour of the USA. These scholars can begin to navigate an exciting world outside the dismal streets of Dukathole. In January 2015, both students entered Jeppe High for Boys, a prestigious boarding school in Johannesburg.
To learn more about the DSF program, please watch the video link below.
Thank you for your time and support. Please consider donating to our cause.
Best,
Christopher Eaglin
Executive Director
Even Ground
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