The donation of a school bus, valued at some R1 535 000, has ensured an Otery, Cape Town, organisation’s ability to expand its free high-quality educational services to high-need communities.
Christel House South Africa provides free education to more than 840 children from impoverished backgrounds and has developed a remarkable results reputation, including a 100% matric pass rate in recent years and a 95% success rate for graduates pursuing further studies or employment. The provision of daily school transport is regarded as a critical component of its academic achievements.
The South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT) provided the bus sponsorship, effectively giving effect to Christel House South Africa’s vision of building additional campuses in the surrounds, enabling greater access to free education by significantly more children.
Commenting, SAMCT representative, Mr Faried Boltman, said: “Having an additional bus is vital for the organisation’s five-year expansion plan. A key factor in its success is the ability to provide safe, reliable school transport. To date, having available transport has ensured a 98% attendance rate at the facility, meaning that its learners benefit directly from quality classroom time, and access to their teachers and available learning resources. In addition, the organisation’s bus fleet assists in expanding the living experience of its learners, making it possible to visit places of interest, attend career experience days and to assist others in need.”
The SAMCT was created in 2008, the result of a partnership between Old Mutual Unit Trusts and Al Baraka Bank, for the creation, marketing and distribution of a suite of Shariah Funds. The organisation provides funding, services and other resources to improve the lives of the vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. It has successfully delivered sizeable assistance solutions throughout South Africa – irrespective of race or religion – and continues to work to support needy organisations in the fields of healthcare, social development, poverty alleviation and education.
Mr Boltman added: “Upon learning of Christel House South Africa’s sterling educational efforts in the Otery area of Cape Town, the SAMCT was eager to help support the organisation’s future expansion plans, so ensuring its continued success, by facilitating improved leaner transport and access to educational and community activities. This is an organisation utterly dedicated to the education of young learners grappling with the effects of severe poverty daily. Its efforts and, indeed, its extraordinary and consistently impressive academic achievements with learners from impoverished economic backgrounds is to be applauded and encouraged. We, of the SAMCT, are therefore privileged to have been in the position to partner with Christel House South Africa and to assist in bringing its five-year campus expansion plan to reality.”
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For more information about the SAMCT or its Christel House South Africa’s bus donation, please contact:
Rasheeda Motala
Social Responsibility Officer
Tel: 084 506 2280
Email: samct@samct.co.za
www.samct.co.za