Support the incredible kids in the Capricorn Township, SA.

In July 2016, i travelled from Invercargill to South Africa to spend 1.5 months in the Capricorn township volunteering with some of the children there. These children are extremely vulnerable, and have next to nothing. Capricorn is a township full of violence, poverty, gangs, drugs. Inside capricorn live over 40,000 people, of which 45% are infected by HIV & Aids, 55% unemployed and 60% are substance abusers. The children of capricorn are the most vulnerable to the terrors on the streets of the township, and this is why they need your support.

Sunrise Educare center, inside the Capricorn township, was where i spent my days volunteering. Over 250 children attend the centre to receive a days worth of security, meals, love, and education. Upon deciding to volunteer at the centre, i hoped i could give something to these children and the wonderful staff who care for them. However all i had to give them was love, and it became i that gained the most from my time there, not the children. These little people opened my eyes to a brand new perspective, taught me empathy, tolerance, understanding, and showed me greater amount of love than i ever thought was possible. The smiles these kids wear to sunrise every day despite the lack of things to smile about astounded me every single morning.

The centre functions on an extremely strict budget, as do the families inside of the township. Shoes that fit, a warm jersey, or socks with no holes, are some of the luxuries many of these children do not receive, yet are taken for granted by many of us. Things like cereal and milk for breakfast, or fruit and sandwiches for lunch are considered a treat, yet many of us would prefer to buy our lunch or go to a cafe for breakfast than eat what are regarded as ‘plain’ foods like cereals and sandwhiches. These children truly have so little, yet are deserving of so much more.

In april 2017 i will return to south africa to volunteer for a further 6-7 months in the township. This page is for the purpose of supporting these children. None of this money will be used for my own travel or living expenses, and 100% of these donations go back to the children in capricorn, their families, the center, and its amazing staff.

I am asking you for your support of these children, who desperately need it. Your donations will be used to purchase shoes, clothing, food, groceries, educational resources, school supplies, and other items the centre, its children, and families require. These kids hold such a special place not only my heart but every single other volunteer who is lucky enough to interact and bond with them. They are so happy and loving every single day, despite facing extreme struggles and disadvantages at home. Please please please consider donating and help me to help these precious little people, every single dollar helps to make a difference.

Many many many thanks, Zoe.