The Anna Foundation supports education from the ground up and creates jobs in rural communities. A multi-pronged initiative we love!
Western Cape (06 October 2025) – South Africa’s education stats can be alarming, especially when it comes to literacy. Did you know that more than 80% of Grade 4 learners can’t read with understanding, and by Grade 6, seven out of ten children are still struggling?
The challenge comes from gaps in South Africa’s education system. Weak infrastructure means overcrowded classrooms where teachers are left juggling heavy workloads with too few resources. All of this makes it harder to give learners the quality education they deserve.
But in the middle of these challenges, there’s a hidden network of heroes who are stepping up where the system falls short…
The Anna Foundation, a non-profit based in the Western Cape, has been tackling this education gap for 20 years now. Through its 3R’s Programme – Reading (Education), Running (Sport), and Right-ing (Life Skills) – it trains and employs community members in rural areas to run after-school programmes.
Today, it manages 21 after-schools that support over 800 children every single day.
“When a child cannot read, it is not just their education that suffers. Doors to opportunities close, and communities across South Africa are left with unfulfilled potential,” says Marike Pienaar, Senior Education Project Manager at the Anna Foundation.
The project makes a difference by training ordinary people to become facilitators who guide children, build confidence, and create safe, supportive spaces that encourage learning outside of ‘regular’ school.
“It is always nice if you can help a child with Mathematics, English, Afrikaans or any of their subjects. When they finally understand it, you see how their faces light up!” says Katy Booysen, who has been a facilitator at Neethlingshof after-school for more than ten years.
Her son, Wesley Booysen, who is in his early 20s, was also a learner at Neethlingshof. Today he works at the Fire and Rescue Service in Stellenbosch.
“I always looked forward to after-school. In primary school I was a top student, but in high school I struggled. The Anna Foundation helped me get back on track and become disciplined,” he says.
Facilitators meet for training every two weeks across four regions, in Boland, Rawsonville, Elgin and Langeberg. There, they learn how to use play-based methods instead of rote worksheets.
The Foundation has come up with ways to make learning fun. Children who attend the after-school programmes respond more positively to learning modes that keep them engaged in creative ways. After a full day at school, children don’t want to spend more time in a conventional classroom scenario.
“Children learn best when they are curious, engaged and asking questions. After a long school day they are tired, so learning through play is far more effective,” says Pienaar.
We love the initiative because it’s making a difference in more than one way.
By training people from rural areas to become facilitators, the foundation doesn’t only support children who need the extra help, it also creates impactful and meaningful jobs for those living in rural communities who may have previously battled to find work.
The Anna Foundation is dependent on donations to keep its doors open and continue the work they do. Every contribution helps open opportunities for both the children and the rural facilitators guiding them.
To get involved or make a donation, email info@annafoundation.com or donate here.
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