Ten Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the Paarl-Franschhoek Valley have received a share of R2,2 million from the Val de Vie Foundation to further their community work in education, entrepreneurship and job creation.
The charitable organisations are Thuma Mina Teaching, Paarl Youth Initiative, Drakenstein Association for Persons with Disabilities (DAPD), Monte Christo Miqlat, Mbekweni Music Academy, Khula Development Group, Hope Through Action, HearX Foundation, The Franschhoek Hospitality Academy and the Elevation Programme.
“Uplifting the community is key to the Val de Vie Estate developer’s vision. Over the past decade over R50 million has been raised for the Val de Vie Foundation from a percentage of property sales and levies, and distributed to NGOs,” said Val de Vie Foundation trustee, Ryk Neethling.
“Estates have an important role to play in driving change for good. Helping hard-working NGOs with funding has made a real difference to people’s lives.”
Val de Vie Foundation’s donation to Thuma Mina Teaching will see Grade 8 natural sciences learners and teachers logging onto its YouTube channel for free curriculum-aligned video lessons.
“Natural sciences has become one of our most-watched channels,” said Juliana Louw, Project Manager at Thuma Mina Teaching.
Lessons have resources including Google Slides for teachers, and self-marking quizzes for learners.
David Anderson, Founder and Principal of Mbekweni Community Music Academy, said the donation was fitting as the NGO had initially been resourced from within the community of Val de Vie.
“We have hired an extra tutor to expand the range of instruments and will assist two students in preparing to apply to Stellenbosch University’s music faculty,” he said.
The Franschhoek Hospitality Academy will use the money to support its online learning platform. Jeremy Davids, Academy Head, thanked the Foundation for “contributing to creating jobs and enhancing service excellence”.
Khula Development Group will use the donation towards its work in preventing school dropouts through academic and emotional support for Grade R to Grade 4 learners, while Miqlat Day Care will use its funds to sponsor parents unable to afford the R400 monthly fee.
“Val de Vie Foundation’s support has enabled us to witness inspiring transformations among our participants who receive life skills and work readiness training, with several finding permanent employment,” said Nozuko Nkila, Director and Programme Manager of The Elevation Programme.
The Paarl Youth Initiative’s Good Company Programme takes rural high school teenagers on a five-year journey of self-empowerment focused on self-leadership, emotional intelligence, goal setting, problem solving and career guidance. “This generous donation helps to create a brighter future for youngsters, many of whom are farm workers’ children,” said director Heini Heyns.
Alison Wilson, hearX Foundation’s Programme Manager for Paarl Valley, said support from the Val de Vie Foundation helped towards “achieving our vision of healthy hearing and vision for everyone, everywhere”.
DAPD will use the funding to improve access to psychosocial support, counselling, and family empowerment services, and expand vocational and life skills training for adults with intellectual disabilities, said CEO, Maizylle Pienaar. Half of the money has been distributed to the NGOs and the remaining half will be paid in December this year.
