The Educate a Child Program
Two Children – One Program
Endless possibilities
How your support is changing lives
In the Jerusalem informal settlement in South Africa, many children grow up in challenging circumstances where opportunity can feel out of reach.
At Sparrow Foundation School, however, children are discovering that their circumstances do not define their futures. Through the Educate a Child programme, made possible by generous supporters like you, children such as Andile and Lebogang are gaining the confidence, skills and encouragement they need to thrive.
These are their stories.learners.
Andile: Discovering a Love of Reading
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When Andile arrived at Sparrow Foundation School in Grade 1, he struggled to recognise the alphabet and found reading difficult. Quiet and unsure of himself, he rarely participated in class.
Everything changed when he discovered the school library. With the support and encouragement of his teacher, reading slowly became less intimidating and more exciting. What began with a single book soon became a genuine love of stories.
By Grade 2, Andile was spending every spare moment he could in the library. Reading had become his favourite part of the day.
Reflecting on his year, he told us:
“I love reading! This year, I read many books and kicked many balls around on the soccer field. My teacher smiled and said, ‘Good job!’ Next year, I’m going to Grade 3, and I am excited! Thank you for helping me to play and learn.”
Those simple words of praise helped Andile believe in himself.
Now in Grade 3, he is thriving. The boy who once struggled with reading is growing in confidence and discovering his potential.
Thanks to your support, he has a place to learn, play and belong.
Lebogang: Turning Curiosity into Confidence
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Lebogang’s passion was different. From an early age, she was fascinated by the natural world. She loved observing insects, leaves and trees, but lacked the language and confidence to talk about what she noticed.
Her teachers recognised this curiosity and encouraged her to explore it. Through Natural Sciences lessons, they helped her develop the language and confidence to share her observations.
In Grade 3, her interest flourished. She excelled in Natural Sciences, producing thoughtful work and enthusiastically participating in class discussions. For the first time, she realised that her curiosity was not something to hide but something to celebrate.
When asked about her year, she beamed:
“I love bugs and leaves and trees. This year, I learnt a lot in natural sciences. My teacher praised me for my commitment. I’m going to Grade 4 next year, and I already can’t wait to learn even more. Thank you for supporting me.”
Now in Grade 4, Lebogang continues to develop her confidence and pursue her love of learning.
The Impact of Your Support
Although Andile and Lebogang have different interests, their stories share one thing in common: your support through the Educate a Child programme.
Your generosity provides:
- Quality education and dedicated teachers
- Nutritious meals to fuel growing minds
- Books and resources that spark imagination
- A safe environment in which children can learn and grow
- The encouragement every child needs to believe in themselves
For Andile, you opened the door to a world of stories. For Lebogang, you helped transform curiosity into a passion for science. For both, you helped show that where they come from does not determine where they can go.
Thank You
On behalf of Andile, Lebogang and all the children of Jerusalem, thank you for empowering them to play, learn, grow and for believing in their potential. Because of you, a boy from a squatter camp is discovering the joy of reading. A girl is learning to embrace her scientific curiosity. Two children are building futures filled with confidence, possibility and hope.
The success of Andile and Lebogang has been made possible through the Educate a Child programme. By donating £15 per month, you can fund a bursary for a child who cannot afford basic school fees and receives no other financial support.
If you would like further information about the programme, please contact Harry Hughes-Davies at harryhughesdavies@gmail.com
