Non-profit Masicorp is investing in education in Masiphumelele, giving children the opportunity to have strong educational foundations, from an early age.
Masiphumelele, South Africa (13 December 2023) – Around 40,000 live in this community in the far South Peninsula of Cape Town – a community where every day, many struggling parents do not have the means to put food on the table for their children. Thousands are living in very informal housing, many with limited access to electricity, water and sanitation. Although being relatively small in size, Masiphumelele is similar to many other disadvantaged communities in South Africa where unsuitable housing, unemployment, high crime rates and limited services are daily struggles.
What is unique about this community though, are the many non-profits, community groups, organisations, leaders, individuals and activists who are making a positive difference every day, despite overwhelming challenges and limited assistance and funding. Organisations and people here work together for the greater good.
Since 1999 Masicorp is one of these non-profits that has been supporting residents through the challenges of living in this community, with the belief that education is the surest route out of poverty and the first step towards a sustainable livelihood. With a struggling education system and many people in South Africa unskilled and unemployed – it is vital that South Africa removes barriers to educational opportunities – to help people change their lives and support their families. Each year Masicorp assists over 4,000 people through educational initiatives.
350 children under the age of 6 attend one of Masicorp’s three pre-schools and are taught by women from their own community who have been supported to receive their early childhood development diplomas. Nutritious meals are served throughout the day, so children can learn without hunger. Masicorp also supports 20 informal creches/daycares in the community, helping female creche owners to improve their own centres. These are formative years – and giving children a quality preschool experience sets them on the path to success for future learning.
Once children leave Masicorp’s preschool, some head off to Ukhanyo Primary School – the only primary school in the community. A no-fee paying government school, where classes are large and resources are limited. This is where Masicorp invests heavily in numeracy and literacy support – running ”learning labs” during the school day, giving learners access to a lending library, Maths & coding clubs at break time and after school. Remedial small reading groups help struggling learners catch up to their peers.
In today’s digital age, it is vital that children and adults have access to computers and the internet and have the skills to use them. Masicorp also offers digital literacy skills courses free of charge, while increasing access to technology at the Masicorp computer ”lab”. Here parents receive help to register their children for school online, children are researching projects and doing homework, and adults are searching for work and completing CV’s. An accredited advanced course is also available at no cost.
Masicorp believes communities should always be directly involved in the support that is received. That is why 90% of those employed by Masicorp live in Masiphumelele, and are running the education programmes that benefit their own community.
To find out more about Masicorp’s work in the Masiphumelele community, visit www.masicorp.org.
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