South Africa: Support for Children
Donation protected
Hi! My name is Jess Mitchell, I am a junior at North Hunterdon High School, and last summer I travelled to a town outside of Cape Town, South Africa. In South Africa, I volunteered with SAVE foundation at a school for underprivelaged children: teaching the young students during the day and coaching them in various activities.
The students are educated with minimal supplies, so at the end of last school year, school supply donations were accepted at North Hunterdon High School. A huge thank you to everyone who donated, I was able to bring 2 suitcases of supplies over, which were donated to Sunshine School in Wolwerivier Settlement and Suzaki School in Dunoon Township! The supplies that were donated will be used to further the children's education and advance their learning environment.
A few of the weeks in which I was working at Sunshine and Suzaki were the children's holiday break. In these weeks, the volunteers worked to keep the children off of the dangerous streets in the townships. I worked with infants to children of my own age, keeping them out of trouble and away from the drugs/alchohol which tempts many of the teenagers. However, in these weeks, I witnessed many tragic accidents which put the children at risk. I learned that an estimated 80% of the children I was teaching had the HIV/AIDS virus. I took care of infants who were left in the same diaper for 6 days, as their mother was working as a prositiute and spending the money on drugs and alchohol. I built a relationship with a boy name Brendan who had muscular dystrophy, yet has never seen a doctor. With donations from another volunteer and the assistance of specialists, a custom-made bed was made for Brendan. This goes to show that every donation can make a huge impact.
Without the money to spend on medical supplies, many of these needs are left unattended to, furthering the severity of the injury or disability. I am now asking for your gracious donations to pay for basic medical supplies for the schools, diapers for the babies, and to pay for doctor's visits.
Also, with Christmas quickly approaching, SAVE Foundation has created a way for the children to share the joy of Christmas. With a few dollars of donation, a child will be given a Christmas dinner, a brand new toy, and a toothbrush/soap.
My experience in South Africa was so amazing that I am hoping to return in the coming summer. The children I taught, the volunteers I worked with, and the things I experienced I am so thankful for. Giving back is one of the most amazing and fufilling feelings I have ever experienced. I hope that you will consider donating to the children.
Thank you so much for your support!
Jess Mitchell:)
The students are educated with minimal supplies, so at the end of last school year, school supply donations were accepted at North Hunterdon High School. A huge thank you to everyone who donated, I was able to bring 2 suitcases of supplies over, which were donated to Sunshine School in Wolwerivier Settlement and Suzaki School in Dunoon Township! The supplies that were donated will be used to further the children's education and advance their learning environment.
A few of the weeks in which I was working at Sunshine and Suzaki were the children's holiday break. In these weeks, the volunteers worked to keep the children off of the dangerous streets in the townships. I worked with infants to children of my own age, keeping them out of trouble and away from the drugs/alchohol which tempts many of the teenagers. However, in these weeks, I witnessed many tragic accidents which put the children at risk. I learned that an estimated 80% of the children I was teaching had the HIV/AIDS virus. I took care of infants who were left in the same diaper for 6 days, as their mother was working as a prositiute and spending the money on drugs and alchohol. I built a relationship with a boy name Brendan who had muscular dystrophy, yet has never seen a doctor. With donations from another volunteer and the assistance of specialists, a custom-made bed was made for Brendan. This goes to show that every donation can make a huge impact.
Without the money to spend on medical supplies, many of these needs are left unattended to, furthering the severity of the injury or disability. I am now asking for your gracious donations to pay for basic medical supplies for the schools, diapers for the babies, and to pay for doctor's visits.
Also, with Christmas quickly approaching, SAVE Foundation has created a way for the children to share the joy of Christmas. With a few dollars of donation, a child will be given a Christmas dinner, a brand new toy, and a toothbrush/soap.
My experience in South Africa was so amazing that I am hoping to return in the coming summer. The children I taught, the volunteers I worked with, and the things I experienced I am so thankful for. Giving back is one of the most amazing and fufilling feelings I have ever experienced. I hope that you will consider donating to the children.
Thank you so much for your support!
Jess Mitchell:)
Organizer and beneficiary
Jess Mitchell
Organizer
Asbury, NJ
Sara Mitchell
Beneficiary