10 years ago, 7 friends staying in a Johannesburg digs decided to support their domestic worker’s son through school, now it helps 63 kids with school funds!
What started as a small household project among 7 university friends, has blossomed into a trust that helps educate children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Bokamoso Education Trust as indicated in the name believes that everyone can make a significant difference to the future of our beautiful country. The Bokamoso Education Trust enables people to support the schooling of disadvantaged children.
“The Trust was started in 2006, seven young men, fresh out of university, lived together in a digs in Johannesburg. The domestic worker who lived on the property and helped manage the house had a young son called Mathias. In 2007, the guys decided to start contributing to Mathias’s schooling. This was the start of what is now, 10 years later, a hugely successful organisation called the Bokamoso Trust that currently funds 63 children’s education.” – Joshua Nuttall
The idea of the trust is based on crowdfunding. Individual (or corporate) contributions are combined and mobilized towards the education costs of its beneficiary children. Each donor rallies together 16 friends, each of whom contributes R200 a month via direct debit. Together, the 17 donors help to educate one child. The total amount (R3 400 per month) pays for a child’s education – giving them a fair chance at education and a necessary start to their lives.
One story, in particular, has stood out. Lerato Ncube is one of the children who is assisted through the trust. Her headmaster has described her as an asset to Bishop Bavin School. Bokamoso Trust shares the story below:
“Lerato nearly moved back to Zimbabwe four years ago when her mother fell very ill. With the help of her Headmaster, Mr Dry accepting her into Bishop Bavin’s boarding school and the financial assistance from our donors, Lerato could stay in South Africa and be cared for while her mother recovered at home. Despite these hardships, this little girl is thriving. Earlier this year, she awarded the ‘the most valuable player’ in the open girls’ basketball team, as well as cultural awards for singing, dance and choir… the list goes on. We are very expectant for the future ahead of her! Thank you to our donors for changing the course of this little girl’s life.
The Bokamoso Education Trust not only provides kids with financial stability required to attend school. It also provides them with a community to belong to, through a structured mentorship. This, to help them realise their full potential and to better equip them for the future.
If you would also like to turn one child’s dream into reality, visit the Bokamoso Trust to find out how you can get involved.
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