Despite having emerged from apartheid during the 1990s, South African schools still lag behind the rest of the world in terms of quality education and equal opportunity. South Africa ranks 75th out of 76 in terms of international education standards (2015). South Africa's children are significantly disadvantaged, even in comparison to children from other poorer parts of the continent, including those in countries at war or suffering famine. According to the Economist:

What is more, the racial dynamic of success and failure still remains. Out of 200 black pupils who start school just one can expect to do well enough to study engineering. Ten white kids can expect the same result. That means that black children will continue to struggle to find work, become involved in gangs, or join dangerous industries such as mining.

I will be working in one of Cape Town's largest schools, predominantly fed by one of the city's four main Townships - the areas of informal housing and major underdevelopment that are home to hundreds of thousands of poor black and 'coloured' South Africans.

Many of you who I will ask to support this teaching volunteer work have had access to some of the best education available anywhere in the world. You might have disliked certain teachers or sat bored in your final double period of geography on a Friday, (understandable) but you know the value of what you learnt and achieved at school. Any donations will support the system of volunteer teachers who assist in Cape Town's massively understaffed schools and help support children who face major barriers to education, opportunity and happiness.

Peace,

Sam