Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am taking part in the Mellon Educate programme to construct 12 additional classrooms at a school in the Khayelitsha township near Cape Town in South Africa in the space of just 5 days!

I have been to the Khayelitsha township before in 2000 when I visited a school there with my family and some friends from Cape Town who were involved in supporting local schools. My daughter was very much into elephants at the time and the wall hanging that I used for the page photo was bought on that occasion. It was made by mothers of the school children as part of a co-operative from donated fabric remnants in rooms at the back of the school as a means to provide work an income. It is an example of the inter-connectivity of elements of the life of families in the township.

I am fund raising to cover the cost of organising  the event, the logistics and, most importantly, the provision of building materials. All participants are giving freely of their own time and expertise, and my own financial contribution will cover the cost of travel, transport and accommodation. 

Since 2013, Mellon Educate charity has set about improving access to better standards of education in African townships.

To date, the charity has built 10 new schools and renovated many more, providing over 10,000 young children a better chance at life. We are building towards educational programmes throughout Africa that will benefit over 100,000 primary school kids.

Khayelitsha is one of the largest townships in the country and has a host of challenges for its inhabitants, not least of all the local children. The additional building forms part of an overall programme to improve the education of children in this part of South Africa.

Mellon Educate is a volunteer organisation that aims to provide educational improvements for 100,000 impoverished children throughout Africa. To find out more go to www.melloneducate.com

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.