By Frerieke van Bree 

Saturday the 8th of March: Anasuya and I were both sleepy and in need
for coffee early in the morning on our way to Khayelitsha, trying to find
energy to start our 12 week leadership program with the students of
COSAT (Centre of Science and Technology, a High school for science, IT
and Maths).

Our expectation of sleepy and quit students disappeared the moment we
saw those young enthusiast learners smiling while seeing a American and
Dutch person coming to train them. Those students are so willing to learn!

COSAT, located in township Khayelitsha, selects the best learners of the
regular High schools in the township and prepares them to go to
University.

Khayelitsha (meaning: New Home) is the biggest township (800.000
people) here around Cape Town. Lots of people are living in shacks, some
without running water, electricity or ablutions.

Co-founder of COSAT, Peter Oxenham told us that even those bright
COSAT students, who get an amazing education often drop out of
University. Why? Nobody ever taught them the skills to survive in the big
world outside the township. They often do not have the self-esteem to
speak English, are not used to be in a mixed (white/black/colored)
environment, they do not believe that they are great and are often very
insecure.

When Anasuya and I heard this, we knew it was in our power to help build
self confidence, self love, to help those wonderful individuals to achieve
their dreams, finish University and know who they are.

We arranged with COSAT that we’ll be leading a 12 week Arts and
Leadership Academy for 34 of their students (grade 11 and 12).
Our program involves workshops in creative writing, acting, directing, and
the visual arts as well as in website development, HIV prevention, and
self-esteem building. The students will develop and lead community
projects that they have determined will make their communities great.

Have a look at this video we made. The COSAT students explain why this
12 week program is worth waking up for on their free Saturday morning
and tell us what they’ve learned this first week. Worth watching! These
students are incredibly bright, socially intelligent and worth investing in!

We help them achieve their goals, by working with them here in Africa,
you can help by donating to Love to The World!
We need your help! please make a small donation (5 dollar? 10 dollar?
each dollar helps!)

Thanks!
Frerieke