Consilia, my host mother, is setting up a Section 21 company (nonprofit organisation) to help young people in the Athlone area who have matriculated (equivalent to the leaving certificate) to go to university/college. Like Ireland before free fees were introduced (though I wouldn’t call over 1000 Euro free!) in the coloured communities in Cape Town, many young people simply cannot afford to go onto further education, and in many cases will be forced to work for the minimum wage – by setting up such an organisation, Edume will give young people a chance to break out of their predicament.
EDU-ME
Established in 2010 by Consilia Zwavel, this soon to be nonprofit registered under section 21, has developed in response to a growing need to support matriculated students in Athlone, Cape Town, South Africa.
One of the barriers to these young people moving forward is not knowing what avenues are available to them, what routes they can take and what resources are available to them and so many are forced to work for minimum wage, if they are lucky enough to get work, which hinders their opportunities to further themselves through the education system.
Another barrier is the registration fee. In many cases, once the registration fee has been covered, the student in question can avail of student aid. And in comparison to the US and many European countries, this registration fee is small, but can play such a huge role in the future of our young people.
Edume will aim to provide this registration fee for potential students whom are deemed deserving of such assistance (demonstrate the will and commitment to succeed). When they have graduated, one of the requirements of said assistance is that they will provide assistance to the project and where possible support future students who enrol in the process.
Lynda Piper-Roche - HIV & AIDS Blog 