To read more, view our annual report here or download our pdf

You can go on a fascinating photo journey, meet some extraordinary local characters and follow the entire construction process by clicking through HAPPI’s album.  Photo by Malcolm Worby.

Njijini, with the walls on their way and the windows and door frames in place.

By setting up a broad-based alliance structure (NGOs, churches, service providers and government representations) ACESS has championed the rights of the child since March 2001, promoting grants and rights awareness, service delivery, birth registration, and improved communications between government departments.  And, when the necessity arose, has even taken the government to task legally for failure to honour its commitments.

Beyond building and managing a strategic alliance, ACESS is currently engaged in four projects, each of which significantly impact upon ASAP’s work.  These are:

Promoting comprehensive social security, Widening the reach of social assistance, Challenging the barriers to service delivery, and Ensuring access to education for all.

We look forward to taking shade beneath the ACESS umbrella, and venturing forth shoulder to shoulder with some fantastic organisations and people to engage collectively and further champion the rights of children here in South Africa.

In the meantime, put a note in your diary for this year’s ‘Child Protection Week’ (30 May to 4 June) and expect some wonderful and positive events.

For more information, check out the ACESS website.

"Opening doors for children."

Chris made the video for our recent New York fundraiser.

He also recorded an number of recitals in the recent Itekeng – Mamohau Poetry Competition, including the winning poem ‘Dead be not proud’ by Nonceba, a teenager from Itekeng.

“I am taking a community development approach involving the communities themselves as much as possible in the scripting, shooting and editing of the videos,”  Says Chris.  “I will be training young people in video production skills, and I will be spending quality time with the home based carers, shadowing their work and getting a deeper appreciation of their work.”

But the best is still to come and we can’t wait to see the finished products coming from South Africa’s newest and probably most remote film studios.  Why not follow Chris’s fascinating blog ‘On the road with Chris’?

A wonderful way to tell your story

This is a fantastic step forward, as in most of the rural communities where we work, school bookshelves are completely empty. Literacy among African children is a growing concern and 79% of South African public schools do not have libraries.

The campaign was supported by Professor Genevieve Hart, from the University of the Western Cape, who had this to say:  “If you want to help a school, help it with its library.  Research from across the world shows that good schools have libraries.  It doesn’t have to be an expensive building; it can be a cosy classroom corner.  It’s a space where children have a choice of attractive books, where they can lose themselves to find out about themselves – and the rest of the world.  Again, research shows that children who read well do well in all their subjects.  But to read well they have to read a lot.  To read a lot they must like reading. And to like reading they must have access to books they can enjoy and make sense of.  Books stretch their imaginations, their emotions and their intellects.  They are the way to improve our schools – and our future.” 

A whole new library on its way to the Eastern Cape.

“

With your help we can fill the shelves and give these children something real to celebrate this holiday. Every individual book, set, shelf, case, or crate of books you purchase in the name of a friend or loved one will go directly into the library of a rural school. It’s not just a monetary donation, these are actual books in English and local South African languages, both fiction and non-fiction, aligned with the National curriculum.

Donating books for orphans will make a wonderful and unique gift.

Here’s how it works

Once your order is completed through Google Checkout ($’s will reflect in the local currency of the account holder), ASAP will send a beautifully designed e-card with video — a heartwarming Thank You from South African children — to each recipient, informing them of the generous gift made, by you, in their name. And remember, the more books you buy, the more shelves we’ll fill, so please consider books for your entire shopping list! The campaign will be up and running from now until January 6th, with books en-route to the schools in January. Stay tuned for pictures of your generosity at work!

“If you want to help a school, help it with its library.  Research from across the world shows that good schools have libraries.  It doesn’t have to be an expensive building; it can be a cosy classroom corner.  It’s a space where children have a choice of attractive books, where they can lose themselves to find out about themselves – and the rest of the world.  Again, research shows that children who read well do well in all their subjects.  But to read well they have to read a lot.  To read a lot they must like reading. And to like reading they must have access to books they can enjoy and make sense of.  Books stretch their imaginations, their emotions and their intellects.  They are the way to improve our schools – and our future.” Professor Genevieve Hart, University of the Western Cape

Last year’s Fruit Tree campaign was a great success, and we are eager to share some of the highlights with you.

Over 200 fruit trees were delivered to rural drop in centers, thanks to your generous donations.  Apple, pears, plum, peach, plum, apricot and acacia trees were planted in early spring by the dedicated Child Care workers in rural communities–you should have heard them singing with joy as they put those trees into the ground! Though small at first, the trees have already begun to thrive and produce fruit.

Mrs. Mbedu and two local children stand proud behind their very own peach tree

Yummy peaches provide a healthy snack and shade

At last, the children are able to reap the nutritional benefits of delicious apples, pears, plums, peaches and apricots.  In addition, the trees provide much needed shade for the gardens, and offset our carbon footprints. Just imagine: when a child goes to his local drop in center after school, he may pluck a peach from the tree and eat it then and there–how sweet is that?

Thank you for supporting these wonderful and deserving children. And stay tuned for pictures and news from this year’s Book campaign!