“The World Cup Project”:
Children of the Dawn has been allocated 187 tickets for 4 Soccer World Cup Games in June! In recognition of our work, FIFA’s 2010 World Cup Football for Hope Ticket Fund run by official sponsor Sony has donated these tickets for Children of the Dawn beneficiaries. Now we have to transport the lucky 146 children and their caregivers to the games… so we need your financial support! When you make a donation towards this World Cup Project, you will be entered in a lucky draw that will see two generous donors be given two tickets for the Ghana vs Germany Game – Soccer City – 20h30, 23rd of June, to accompany our children in their fantastic adventure. Please make your donation under the ref your name by following this link. We probably need some R40’000 to transport all the lucky children. A donation of R200 would take care of the transport needs of 1 child, chosen through a lucky drawn amongst 10 years and older. We rely on your generosity to make sure this very very exciting adventure become true!”
Children of the Dawn - Achievements
Reintegration into the community
99.5% of the children who have entered the programme are alive and healthier. Considering the very difficult living conditions of these children, this is an achievement by itself. It is only in 2007 that we registered the first death among the children we care for. And today, it is a total loss of 3 children we mourn.
But perhaps, our biggest achievement is the reintegration of the children into their surrounding community.
All children are now back at school, and although the standard of learning is low, we achieved a 93% pass rate in 2008. Thanks to our support in terms of school fees, school uniforms and meetings with teachers, our children can now enjoy their schooling as any other child.
The reintegration into the community is also achieved through our aftercare centres and the networks created around the children. The communities have now taken charge of their orphans and can offer them a real sense of belonging. The many volunteers working on the ground are a living example of the strength and resilience of South African communities. We also welcome on a regular basis young international volunteers sent by the international NGO AFS (American Field Service) who spend at least six months in our communities, and whose role is to liven up our care centres by organising educational and leisure activities for the children.
In seven years, we have managed to strengthen the seven rural communities we are working in to the point where each sponsored child is supported in a holistic manner. Their basic needs being met and surrounded by love, our children can look forward to a future!
