EVERYDAY NEEDS TO BE NELSON MANDELA DAY

THE EMS FOUNDATION AND SHAMBALA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE’S ROADMAP TO EMPOWERING CHILDREN IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Child poverty in South Africa is multi-sectoral, with the majority of children suffering from multiple deprivations simultaneously. According to Statistics South Africa 62% of children are multidimensionally poor. Two-thirds of children in rural areas are multidimensionally poor and income-poor.

The highest multidimensional poverty rates are found amongst children residing in the Limpopo Province. It is for this reason that, together with our partner, Shambala Private Game Reserve, we are working to make a difference to the lives of learners in the Vaalwater area and district.

Moshia Secondary School, E.A. Davidson Primary School and Boschdraai Primary School have been equipped with EMS Foundation growzones from which vegetables are harvested and cooked for children providing them with a consistent and healthy source of nourishment.

As part of an on-going initiative, and working with the local mayor, in June 2022 hundreds of children, who urgently need school socks and shoes, were identified and these basic but much needed items provided to them.

Education is the key to success and increased access to education can contribute to a reduction in poverty. The EMS Foundation and Shambala have supplied Tutu Desks to school children in the Vaalwater area. At the beginning of 2022 the EMS Foundation also acquired desks and chairs for pupils at the Moshia Secondary School. In 2020 the Shambala Reserve upgraded classrooms at the Moshia Secondary School.

The EMS Foundation and Shambala are committed to continuing to offer the children and the broader community of Vaalwater in Limpopo food security, investments into school infrastructure and attention to individual needs, thereby removing barriers that negatively affect their well-being and hinder their development.

July 2022

Image Credit: Shambala Private Game Reserve