21 years ago, a UK local decided to take a gap year. Though Matt didn’t know it then, that year would go on to change his life and the lives of many South African children for the absolute best, and it all began with Matt using his pocket money to send a youngster to school! This is the story of how SOS Africa came to be:
Gordon’s Bay, South Africa (18 November 2024) — 21 years ago, 18-year-old Dr Matt Crowcombe from the UK took a gap year that would change his life and the lives of many others.
That year, Matt and a South African teacher named Henry Matthews would have an important conversation over a bowl of jelly and ice-cream. It was a conversation about the dismay they felt toward the sub-par standard of free education in South Africa. It encompassed ideas to do things differently and better. It was the start of the SOS Africa Children’s Charity.
Matt decided to donate all of his pocket money towards a young South African child’s education as a start. One act of empowerment led to another, and over the years to come, that small seed of kindness grew and grew until it became a thriving charitable organisation!
The SOS Africa Children’s Charity is now 21 years old and proud. A charity that focuses on empowerment through holistic education, SOS Africa provides disadvantaged children with personal educational opportunities and learning support schemes. This holistic model helps the child grow as an individual and makes sure they get to access the support they need specific to them.
Not only does the charity support children’s tuition so that they can access a high level of education, they also support all the other bits and bobs that make for a successful schooling career, including after-school programs, transport, clothing and stationery.
In honour of all the young lives transformed, the charity’s 21st celebration was naturally a big one! It was hosted at SOS Africa’s recently opened Gordon’s Bay Education Centre, where the VIP guests were staff and children from the charity’s four education centres across the region.
From the six matric students just weeks away from graduation to the Grade R learners just starting their educational journeys, the array of lives positively impacted and in the process of being impacted couldn’t be ignored.
“Each SOS Africa child and staff member has their own remarkable story, they have fought against the odds to get to where they are today and I couldn’t be prouder of them,” remarked founder Dr Matt Crowcombe.
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“I often reflect on the early days of SOS Africa when we walked the very first sponsored child to his first day at school. Back then I had no idea that, in that moment, a wonderful organisation had been born. I feel truly blessed to have a career which enables me to bear witness to both human kindness and determination each and every day.”
The day was aptly filled with a braai, party games, a bouncy castle and swimming, as well as a trip to the beach for the high school kids.
“I enjoyed every minute; we were all siblings coming together and enjoying each other’s company and celebrating together,” shared Meyah, a Grade 10 SOS Africa Gordon’s Bay student.
The future of SOS Africa is as bright as ever, and Matt can’t wait to see what it holds; a future that so many people have helped make possible.
“One of the highlights of my job is communicating with our wonderful supporters who constantly go above and beyond to provide life-changing opportunities for the SOS kids. With each head-earned donation, they take a leap of faith in the hope of making a difference to the lives of children who they have often never met. Thank you for always believing in us—these smiles wouldn’t be possible without you!”
You can learn more about the charity here.
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