After volunteering in one of the poorest areas of Cape Town in November 2017, I have been inspired to go back in 2018 to help Mellon Educate improve education for the most deserving children. Their warmth and gratefulness belies their challenging living conditions. Mellon Educate is focused on education as a means to break the cycle of poverty.

Having originally been exclusively dedicated to building houses in South African townships (housing 125,000 homeless people to date), the charity’s focus shifted in 2013 to encompass education as well as housing. It’s annual “building blitz” involves several hundred volunteers coming together to extend educational access and standards of education of some of South Africa’s poorest children. Dilapidated schools in vast townships are transformed by the sheer effort and will of the blitz volunteers. Classrooms – to reduce class sizes, kitchens – to feed the school kids (for many, school is the only place they get fed), playgrounds & play areas – for kids to be kids.

I cannot adequately explain the impact the week of volunteering had on me, it truly is one of those things that words cannot do justice to. Nothing could have prepared me for my first sight of the township, stretching for miles. The masses of children running around the tiny and dangerous streets in between the tin sheds they call home. The sadness in the eyes of the parents who wish they could do more for their kids but are without resources – but with the help of Mellon Educate, they are not without hope.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page and read my story. I hope you will consider donating to help me on this journey. I am covering the cost of my own flights and accommodation so all monies raised/donated will go directly to the charity. 

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.

Here's a short video of the 2017 blitz - it is incredible what can be achieved in such a short space of time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MuY7wjyKso&t=6s