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- Please list links to your Website and Social Media Platforms here:
- Describe in detail what your Organisation does:
VISION IS VITAL
This is an intervention project, aimed at correcting one of the most significant impediments to the education and development of children from disadvantaged communities, which is, as the name suggests, vision. We approach schools (either directly selected by you, or identified by the Department of Education) in your selected operational area, where we test children’s vision (after obtaining the required consent, of course) and provide prescription spectacles to those who require it.
- How long has your Organisation been operational?
Since 2009
- In your opinion, what has been the most challenging aspect of running your Organisation?
Getting funding – as for any non profit Organisation it is most challenging to get funding.
- Describe your Nonprofit Journey in three words:
Challenging, Rewarding, Changing lives
- Do you collaborate with other Causes? If yes, would you like to mention them?
Yes
SOUNDS OF LIFE
Similar to our Vision is Vital project, children from Grade 3 upward in selected schools (or as identified by the DOE) within your selected operational area, are tested to ensure that their hearing do not become an impediment to their learning. Gr 3 is taken as the minimum age for participants in these tests, as younger children often have difficulty comprehending the instructions of these expensive tests. This is, of course, only done with children for whom the appropriate consent have been obtained. Children idenfitied as being in need are then provided with prescription hearing aids.
SAFETY @ SCHOOL
One of the most overlooked areas within schools in disadvantaged communities is the issue of safety. Schools in disadvantaged and rural communities often rely on dangerous sources of heat, lighting and electricity, making proper safety procedures and equipment a vital necessity. In this project, we assess schools selected by you or the DOE, within your target community or area, in an effort to determine what fire-fighting and first aid needs exist. We then take steps to ensure that the necessary procedures and equipment are in place, and provide training for selected teachers and students regarding First Aid, Fire Fighting and Evacuation planning.
EDU – UPGRADES
This project involves physical maintenance and upgrading of classrooms. Specifically, we fix and paint the inside of Gr R to 3 classrooms in schools within your target operational area, to ensure that there are proper storage cupboards and sufficient tables and chairs in good working order.
EDU – GOODS
We visit the Gr R- 3 classrooms of schools within your selected operational areas (as identified by you or the DOE) and supply physical items needed to make effective learning possible, such as scissors, puzzles, books, bean bags, hula hoops, balls, etc.
EDU – PLAY
A healthy body houses a healthy mind, or so the saying goes. With this in mind, and considering that, in most cases, a school provides the only safe space where children in disadvantaged communities can physically play, we install jungle gyms and playground games such as hopscotch and alphabet games for children in the development phase. This helps the physical and mental development of children Gr R-3) in your selected schools or area.
EMPLOYABILITY
In order to enable older learners to prepare and improve themselves mentally and emotionally for a career, we have developed a 3 year course (Gr 8-10) which assist children within your selected schools or area with understanding and preparing for this fundamental paradigm shift. The effect of this project is amazing.
- If you had one Organisation wish, what would it be?
That we could help EVERYONE in need!
- In your opinion, which skills do Nonprofits in your Country lack?
In SA there is no accredited / formal qualification for fundraising.
- Looking back at your Cause Journey, what advice would you give a newbie Organisation?
Think outside the box. Build your brand and deliver what you promise to deliver!
- If you could change one thing about the Nonprofit Landscape, what would it be?
That government will support NPO more.
- Which Cause achievement are you most proud of? Feel free to elaborate on why and include any links:
Every time we fit a child with spectacles the impact is immediate as they can see better immediate. The reaction of the children is priceless every time.
- Last question, if your friends had to describe your Organisation in three words, which would they use?
Respected, Honest, Accountable