Knysna Education Trust (KET) is a charity transforming early childhood development in the Garden Route area of South Africa.

Since 1993, KET has worked to ensure every child attends a safe Early Childhood Development facility with competent, qualified teachers.

Tarporley Rotary Club first began supporting KET by financing essential teaching materials. Then we obtained a global grant that which enabled the creation of 53 new pre-schools in the Knysna region, bringing the number today to over 124.

However, in spite of this success, there are sadly dozens of children who cannot attend these schools as there is a minimum fee to pay (In pounds sterling: c.£120, ie £2 a week).

KET’s Adopt a Child’s Education programme (ACE) assists vulnerable children whose parents cannot afford to pay the education fees. It ensures that children who would otherwise be left alone at home can spend their time playing and learning with other children. They also receive proper nutrition at these facilities, which is important as their parents are living below the breadline.

The ACE programme supports 200 children per year, thus allowing the ECD to sustain themselves. There are currently 140 children on the waiting list. We want to help to support as many children as possible.