South African Education and Environment Project  
 

SAEP's Educational Mission
About Us » Educational Mission in South Africa's Townships

Children and young adults in South Africa's townships need a fair chance to develop personally and succeed in life if South Africa’s fledgling democracy is to survive and flourish. While the end of apartheid removed most of the legal barriers to personal development, opportunities to learn and obtain meaningful employment remain sorely lacking among those previously disadvantaged under the apartheid regime.  South Africa -- with its strong constitution, political stability, and economic potential -- remains Africa’s greatest hope for the democratic development and economic revival of the continent.


SAEP has from its foundation in 1994 worked to develop environmental awareness in South Africa, helping youth and their communities address the issues of environmental degradation in the urban environment and the natural environment. In addition to its role in the environmental sector, SAEP currently operates four major educational programmes in the Cape Flats townships of Cape Town, involving early childhood development, high school support and enrichment, a youth development ("bridging year") program and a tertiary support programme for promising township high school matriculants.


Historically, SAEP has relied almost exclusively on volunteers from South Africa and abroad to implement its programme. If you seek a opportunity for public service in South Africa, and are interested in volunteering or interning with SAEP in our high school or post-high school programmes, please write to Norton Tennille at norton@saep.org.


In recent years, SAEP has begun to work with NGOs and other institutions  to provide opportunities for short-term service projects, generally lasting two weeks, in the township communities.  If you are interested in exploring such a project, or in volunteering in the early childhood development programme, please write to Jane Keen at jane@saep.org.
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“ As the governing body of Qhama Educare, we are making a big thanks for all the things you've done for us in our child's school. The fundraising has taken Qhama to the better level now. As to the volunteers - our children have learned a lot from them. We see that there are a lot of changes in the school. Thank you for the container, too. We want to make our office inside of the container. We want to encourage you for your help and kindness. You've put the school of our children in a better level and we are proud. ”
- Ms Sithelwa Soji, Principal of Qhama Educare Centre

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