Kids Foundation

We all agree that South Africa and its people gave the whole world a phenomenal experience with World Cup 2010!

The highlight for KiDS was having the opportunity via Cell C, through their Social Responsibility Programme, to have a group of 14 of extremely excited KiDS Foundation Scholars attend the semi -final at Cape Town Stadium where, unexpectedly, the scholars had the opportunity of meeting one of the most gracious, humble and inspiring gentleman of our time, the Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.

“The Arch” as he is fondly referred to, delighted our scholars by taking some time to come and meet them and have a photograph taken. The KiDS were absolutely beside themselves with excitement and this only grew, when five minutes later, former President FW De Klerk walked in to say hello and have his photo taken with them too. One of the scholars exclaimed very loudly “All we need now is for Madiba to walk in and the world would be a perfect place!”

On behalf of the KiDS Foundation we would like to once again say a huge thank you to Cell C for thinking of the KiDSFoundation and for giving our scholars a memory which I am certain they will never forget.

In June this year forty-two KiDS scholars attended an Outward Bound Training Course in the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve.

It was a very tough course in extreme weather conditions and at the start of the World Cup, but in the true spirit of being a feisty KiDS scholar, they all committed themselves, survived the course and made sure there were positive outcomes for all of them (even the two who came straight from their matric dance after-party to meet the bus at Claremont Station at 8.00 a.m!!

Besides extreme adventure activities such as abseiling, night hiking, mountaineering (with HUGE backpacks!) and raftbuilding, the course focused on personal growth and the development of leadership skills:

Personal Development - Positive attitude, overcoming limitations, ownership of responsibility

Capacity Building - Recognize strengths, self awareness, conflict resolution

Team work and effectiveness - Listening, commitment, trust,cooperation with common goal

Communication - Strategy, confidence, articulation, language

Exploring Diversity - Tolerance & Acceptance, Respect

We are deeply indebted to the Deutsche Bank Africa Foundation who made this possible for so many of our KiDS scholars and we thank them for their loyal support and their understanding that courses such as this can enrich and enhance the lives of our KiDS Scholars. We are looking forward to offering the Outward Bound course to another forty-two KiDS scholars in April 2011.

It had been a long held dream that the KiDS Foundation would one day be able to send some of its scholars on an Educo Africa Wilderness Leadership Course. Educo, though dating back to Canada in 1969, started in South Africa in 1994 in the same year as the KiDS Foundation - and of course the same momentous year that South Africa elected its first democratic government. Reading and understanding all that Educo (www.educo.org.za) strives for, made us burn with ambition to give this opportunity to our scholars who would grab it with both hands and make it work for them. Besides being impressed with the depth and quality of the actual programme in the wilderness, it was also the pre- and post course workshops that ensure that the whole effort has a lasting effect. Educo has an excellent track record and strives to Heal, Grow and Lead Outdoors. Thanks to the DEUTSCHE BANK AFRICA FOUNDATION we were privileged to send 33 KiDS on an Educo course in April 2009 - a wonderful opportunity to enhance the lives of our scholars who hold the future of our country in their hands. They spent 7 days in pristine wilderness in the Groot Winterhoek and Cedarberg mountains learning about the environment, themselves and their potential.

A great lunch was held at Kelvin Grove this week which saw us saying good bye to a group of our 2007 Matrics. Several scholars were unable to attend as they are based in Johannesburg. The 5 who did attend along with the Trustees made it a day to remember. They are now part of “The Old Kids Society” and we wish them all well in their endeavours. Well done to you all. You have made us very proud and you should be proud of all that you have and will achieve!

Much love from all of us here at The KiDS Foundation!

What a fantastic and at times hysterical party we enjoyed at the park in Wynberg this week.  One of our trustees Lynne organised some fabulous team building games and I think Tess and I were a little miffed to have been to big or old to join in!  

The afternoon concluded with a cricket match and I think the Proteas should start looking at signing up a few girls to their national squad!

We wish you all a wonderful festive season and congratulate you on all of the hard work you have put into your studies this year.