Assist-a-Student

Education improves a young person’s opportunity of finding employment to support themselves and their families, and improves self esteem and confidence. But how can a child learn properly when he or she is continually facing economic challenges?

No child wants to go to school without shoes, or suffer the indignity of not having a school uniform, food in their lunchbox or money for school functions.

Through the Assist A Student programme, local St Vincent de Paul Conferences select and refer students from families in need, to receive support for one year. Our focus is on providing the students with basic material needs such as uniforms and textbooks, as well as regular tuition to help them reach their full educational potential.

How it works
Once we have received a sponsorship commitment, three students are selected from the same grade in the same area. They come from families already receiving our assistance through our home based care programmes.

The students receive some financial support for school materials, which can cover items such as uniforms, shoes, textbooks, bags, writing materials and exam fees.

The real focus of our program however is the 30 weeks of tuition that we provide for the group over a 12 month period. The small group setting allows for concentrated, quality support from an experienced tutor who can help students complete homework, understand assignments and consolidate key learning concepts from the classroom.

Because our students are selected from families and communities that we are already working with and in, we are able to provide holistic support for these students throughout the year. One of our local group members acts as a contact point for the students and touches base with them, the tutor and the family regularly to make sure that everything is going well. If necessary we will assist with nutrition, transport or other factors that can compromise a quality learning environment for these disadvantaged students.

Sponsors receive a group photo of the students. Our tutors also provide reports on the programme, which alongside student grades, are incorporated into a group summary for the sponsor at the end of the year.

If you would like to make a real, long-term difference in the lives of disadvantaged students and their families, please contact us at aas@stvincentdepaul.co.za.