SAEP (SA)
Sister Organisation to SAEP (US)

        On April 26, 2003, SAEP facilitated the establishment of a local sister organisation, South African Education and Environment Project (SA) to facilitate its local work in the Cape Flats townships.  The launch took place at the Brown's Farm Community Hall in Philippi.  SAEP (SA) is registered as a South African Non-Profit Organisation (028 310 NPO).  It has its own constitution (amended in November 2004) and Management Committee and office-bearers. See minutes of organisational meeting and of the first meeting of its Management Committee (7 June 2003).

VISION of  SAEP (SA)

"The organisation’s vision is of vibrant township communities which promote and improve both their social and physical environments, primarily through capacity building within community based organisations, the development and empowerment of youth and community leaders who are able, through participation in a variety of programmes, to maximise their potential; succeed academically, personally, and in their career choices; become leaders and activists; and contribute to community social and economic development and improvement in the living standards and environment of the areas in which they live." 

 OBJECTIVES of  SAEP (SA)

 "The organisation’s primary objectives are to provide education and to improve the social and economic development of Philippi and neighbouring communities, and to improve living standards and the physical environment through: 

2.1                The promotion of, and education and training programmes relating to, environmental awareness, greening, clean-ups and sustainable development projects by: 

o        Developing an appreciation of the value and beauty of the natural environment;

o        Education and awareness raising within schools, of environmental and related social and economic issues (particularly local ones);

o        Stimulating and empowering learners and other community members to become active and effective within their communities in addressing these issues; and

o        Promoting environmentally sustainable economic development.  

2.2                The provision of educational enrichment, academic support and supplementary tuition, career guidance and counselling services, and bridging programmes to enable educationally disadvantaged people to enter tertiary education institutions and/or to find employment by: 

o        Developing and promoting critical thinking and creativity, effective written and oral communication skills, entrepreneurial and organisational/group skills, and social commitment amongst our target group through a variety of activities such as debating and other forms of public speaking, journalism and creative writing in poetry and prose, development of computer and Internet skills, experience of culture and the arts, participation in discussion groups and other learning experiences, and exposure to nature and physical challenge in order to achieve the vision described above.

o        Providing special opportunities for recent high school graduates to develop personally and prepare themselves for entry to tertiary institutions through a “gap year” and other programmes focused on personal growth through community service.

o        Developing leadership skills among participants in its programmes. 

2.3                Providing opportunities for individuals and organisations, both local and foreign, to participate in and support the social and economic development of the target communities and development of leaders among the youth of these communities. 

2.4               The provision of programmes to support needy educare and early childhood development facilities and services for pre-school children by: 

o        Empowerment and training of local pre-school staff and committees to reach their goals and to become financially self sustaining;

o        Assisting with fund raising and acquisition of resources and equipment;

o        Linking the organisations with training and resource organisations in order to equip the management and staff to provide a quality service;

o        Assisting the organisations to become registered and to apply for state subsidy where appropriate, in order to become financially sustainable;

o        Providing training where this is not available elsewhere for project leaders in order to enable them to manage their organisations effectively and efficiently. 

2.5        The provision of programmes to support needy local community   organisations such as youth groups by: 

o        Empowerment and training of project leaders to reach their goals;

o        Assisting with fund raising and acquisition of resources and equipment in order to become financially sustainable;

o        Linking the organisations with training and resource organisations in order to equip the organisations to provide a quality service;

o        Assisting the organisations to become registered as Non-Profit Organisations and for tax exemption. 

Mziwonke Mboneli addressing first meeting of Management Committee

Norton Tennille and other members of the Management Committee