Help educares give SA children the start they need

Every once in a while, the harsh reality of the young lives some township children lead is simply overwhelming.

This week we met with one of the principals whom we have worked with for nine years. She was tearful. "Can I tell you my story?" she asked.

We want to share her story with you.

"It was a normal morning. Children coming to school with their parents, bags on their backs and smiles on their faces. Just then I noticed some young mothers with babies strapped to their backs entering a house next door. But after a while, I noticed the children and the mothers didn't come out of the house all morning. It was strange. I sent one of my teachers to investigate. She found that it was a shebeen - a place where people drink alcohol and behaved badly. The teacher noticed that the children were left to drink the remnants from the bottles and glasses. The mothers were passed out and there was nobody taking care of the children. This broke my heart. So I asked the mothers to leave their children with me if they wanted to drink. I begged them not to drink but they wouldn't listen. I have rescued 56 children who come to my school each day now."

Her story brought us to tears. In discussion with our fieldworkers who visit the twenty five schools we support on a regular basis, we learned that this is a comon occurrence in township life. Alcohol and drugs are prevalent. Many of the mothers are younger than twenty. Children are either left alone at home or taken to the drinking venues and left to fend for themselves. Many of the children have never had the chance to go to school and begin their educational journey. These are the lost children of the township, desperate to be rescued.

Starting Chance has a vision: "Give every child a Starting Chance on their educational journey". So what can we do? We don't run schools, we support. Each school has its own principal. The principals are remarkable women wirh hearts full of compassion and love. They never turn a child away. They are always on the look out for children on the street or in a shebeen or who are alone and need help. Aware now of the plight of these lost children, we've asked our fieldworkers to meet with the principals and find out if there are more children like these, to see how we can help.

For many of the children now attending her school it is the first time they've seen a crayon, played with playdough, or been on a swing. Now, at least during each day, they have the chance to be children and play. And they receive food they urgently need to develop.

Schools already struggle with resources, as many parents are unemployed and can't pay fees. They need extra educational resources and stationary, food and underwear for these children. This month we gave the school giving these children a chance food vouchers to help them to provide healthy lunch and snacks. We delivered nappies for the babies and toddlers too, to help with cleanlieness and hygiene.

To continue to help them, we need your help.

Please join us on this rescue mission as we reach out to the children in need of help! Thank you for your support as always.

Links:

• Starting Chance