Summary
In township communities across South Africa, United Through Sport is transforming the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children. Through sports, this project provides key educational support, granting children the opportunity for a brighter, more hopeful future.
Total Goal: £15,782
Remaining: £1,867
Donors: 276
Fundraisers: 3
Years Active: 16
Challenge
Despite the end of Apartheid, South African youth still face deep-seated challenges of poverty and limited access to education. Living in cramped conditions, many children come from large families and are often raised by grandparents due to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS-related deaths. Financial struggles limit access to basic school needs like fees, uniforms, and transport, creating further barriers to education and future opportunities.
Solution
Through United Through Sport, children from these vulnerable backgrounds receive scholarships to top schools in Nelson Mandela Bay, enabling them to attend institutions with greater resources and support. The program extends beyond academics by offering sports coaching, life orientation classes, and personal mentoring. This combination fosters a balanced development, helping these children thrive both in school and in life.
Long-Term Impact
The program aims to ensure that each child graduates with a matric qualification, unlocking pathways to higher education, vocational training, or employment. This achievement will uplift the students, their families, and the communities they return to, creating a ripple effect of progress and hope that will help to break the cycle of poverty for generations to come.
Multi-Sport Educational Tournament Success
Recently, United Through Sport, alongside the Kolisi Foundation and Aware.org, hosted the Siyaphakama Multi-sport Tournament. This year’s tournament brought together over 280 boys and girls from eight primary schools in the Zwide community, creating an environment of excitement, camaraderie, and essential learning.
In a groundbreaking initiative, this year’s tournament focused on life skills education, highlighting the dangers of underage drinking and alcohol abuse. Supported by Aware.org, the event featured interactive #NoToU18 games, which encouraged responsible decision-making through engaging activities. “By incorporating life skills education into the tournament, we are empowering our youth to make informed and responsible decisions about alcohol consumption,” remarked Mokebe Thulo, Head of Brand at Aware.org.
Additionally, the tournament addressed food insecurity, providing nutritious meals for each participant and food packs to take home, courtesy of sponsor Cerebos. The event culminated with trophies and awards for standout teams and individuals, acknowledging their achievements both on and off the field.
“Through our collaboration with Aware.org and the Kolisi Foundation, we are actively addressing critical issues like underage drinking. By using sport and interactive education, we’re inspiring our young participants to make positive life choices.”
The tournament has set a benchmark for future events, combining physical fitness with essential life skills education to inspire a new generation of resilient, empowered youth.
