Clive Hodge
Clive's Triathlon Challenge
Fundraising for Education for Democracy in South Africa EDSA
Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
I am aiming to raise £1,000 - all of which will go towards the important work in Barrydale township supported by EDSA.
EDSA is a small charity dedicated to help young people in Barrydale township, Western Cape, South Africa. Our close friends Judy and Gary have been running this charity for over 35 years from Oxford giving help, education and hope to these young people. This year I have the opportunity, with my family, to visit and contribute to this fantastic cause.
EDSA'a focus, both financially and through advice and guidance goes to a rural township project called Net vir Pret (Just for Fun) in the Overberg area of the Western Cape
EDSA has fundraised to buy a small township building as a headquarters for Net vir Pret and a base for the important "children's care" programme. There are now five staff and four tutors and several volunteers plus five young interns per year and a local young leaders scheme based at the Net vir Pret Children and Youth Centre. All are given work experience and leadership skills to support their work with the children. EDSA has supported Net vir Pret to raise funds for a vehicle and a small mini bus to allow the staff to do outreach work and to take youngsters out of their limited rural environment.
Recently the Centre has been extended from being single storey with just two rooms - to a beautiful two-storey space giving the children and young people in the community access to a wide creative programme including craft work, art, pottery, music (both jazz and djembe), sports, indigenous riel dance, theatre work and puppetry as well as literacy and numeracy programmes and a cycle project.
The centre is a place for the children and young people to go to after school and at all holiday times. Net vir Pret offers them opportunities they do not get at home; including access to toys and books and to new skills; it promotes self-esteem and self-confidence; it helps keep them safe, and away from drugs and alcohol, which are a problem in this small township.