Every year, the Santa Shoebox Project team invest in bettering education for children in need; they fund training for ECD caregivers, build reading corners and build schools in rural areas.
South Africa (03 July 2023) – The Santa Shoebox Project does so much more than just hand out festive gifts to children in need; to make a lasting impact in South Africa, the organisation is committed to bettering education and educational support for communities that need it most.
Going beyond the box, the Santa Shoebox Project Legacy invests in Early Childhood Development (ECD) projects. Whether training up ECD caregivers, installing reading corners or building creches, these projects cater to improving education within areas where there is little to no support.
Thus far, more than 500 ECD caregivers have been trained, improving their skills to provide learning through play, and social and emotional learning solutions. Experts are brought in to offer the highest quality training, boosting skills in the most efficient way. Many of the caregivers go on to develop renewed passions for care and education or learn skills they never had before.
Another important part of the Santa Shoebox Project Legacy is boosting literacy. Many boxes will be filled with books this year but beyond that, the organisation installs reading corners in schools and ECD centres so that children have access to books. This month, Alexandra in Gauteng will for example see the installation of 30 reading corners.
Rebuilding schools is an annual project that has been growing in popularity. Each year an ECD centre or creche is selected and supported. The facility is either upgraded or a full build is implemented. Oftentimes, the SSP Legacy project sees the building of classrooms, kitchens, offices, sick bays, bathrooms and secure playgrounds. This year, the project is rebuilding a creche in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
Donations that come in from private donors are collected and allocated to these SSP Legacy projects each year. So if you have ever donated funds to the Santa Shoebox Project, this is where they have gone. A heartwarming, magical contribution indeed!
The Santa Shoebox Project originated in Cape Town in 2006 with a humble 180 shoeboxes. In 17 years it has grown in leaps and bounds, with the number of Santa Shoeboxes donated reaching a total of 1 152 587. The team are gearing up to open pledges in the coming months so stay tuned until then.
In the meantime, you can follow the Santa Shoebox Project via the Website and Facebook.
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