Educo Africa

Two people at the house here on Firfield Road work for an organization called Educo Africa: Benny, who came here from Germany to do an internship, and Milly, who manages the office here in Plumstead. Educo Africa is something on the order of Outward Bound, but with a special focus on at-risk youth, providing wilderness retreats and team-building activities for young people from all over South Africa who might not otherwise have such opportunities.

Benny, his friend Hennig who visited from Germany a few weeks ago, Milly, and I have combined resources to send Pearl and her cousin Jongo on one of the Educo wilderness courses this coming summer (December). There they will learn how to swim, camp out for a week, rock climb, and get to play with kids from all kinds of backgrounds. One thing that has been true for Pearl for a long time is that even though she goes to school, when she comes home, there are no children for her to play with. The same is likely true in Luzuko, where there might be children, but running around and playing like American children do is not possible or at least not safe where Pearl will be living in Luzuko township for the next six months or so. The Educo course will give her a chance to be a kid, something she hasn't done much of over the course of her young life.

I urge you to have a look at the Educo Africa website and consider making a donation to help more kids have this opportunity. If the future of South Africa lies in the hands of future generations, then helping children participate in confidence-building courses like this will let everyone gain a change of mind about self-worth and potential for children who are growing up in the townships or struggling elsewhere. I promise you it is a very worthwhile cause.

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