With the conviction that every child deserves a chance for a better future, Sawabona Africa was launched three years ago as a non-profit organisation. Now the company is presenting its 2024 annual report as an impressive testimony to its still young history. The association raised a total of 384,000 euros in donations last year.

Thanks to this financial strength, Sawabona Africa has been able to support numerous projects in South Africa and Lesotho, including:

• Kitchen for on-site food supply: 236 children no longer have to learn on an empty stomach
• Learning materials for preschools: 1,847 girls and boys in 24 early childhood development (ECD) centers now have age-appropriate learning materials and toys. At the same time, 48 teachers were trained.
• Building a sustainable kindergarten: As part of Goal50, funding was secured for the construction of a kindergarten made from recycled materials. In future, 100 pre-school children will be looked after there.
• Successful educational initiatives: A mathematics and science program for girls that has been established for two years and the successful graduation of 100 pupils in Lesotho underline the sustainable impact of the projects.

Strong partnerships – diverse impact

Sawabona Africa works with five partner charities that are active in South Africa and Lesotho and have been able to expand their programs thanks to the donations:

• The Phakamani Young Minds Academy (PYMA) in Freedom Park, Soweto, supports children and young people through a variety of measures such as tutoring programs, equipping kindergartens, cooking and gardening projects and workshops on sexual health.
• Help Lesotho offers workshops and learning opportunities for basic skills and mental health in rural Lesotho. The aim is to strengthen the resilience of disadvantaged people.
• Bright Start supports children through sponsorships and a newly launched tutoring program at a local elementary school to give girls and boys a good start in life.
• Uthando (Love) South Africa combines sustainable tourism with social initiatives to provide children with early access to quality education and adults with the necessary skills for the job market.
• Impande, which focuses on early childhood development, improves access to fully equipped preschools and daily meals in particularly disadvantaged communities.

“In just three years, we have managed not only to mobilize impressive financial resources, but also to create real educational opportunities. Our success shows that commitment and trust can change lives in a very short space of time,” explains Zilla Stekhoven, founder of Sawabona Africa. The South African-educated lawyer worked internationally in many fields before founding Sawabona Africa in 2021. “Our thanks go to all our supporters, partners and donors whose commitment has helped to make these successes possible. We are determined to continue on this path and hope that many people will stay on board in the future to work together to change the lives of disadvantaged children for the better – because every cent counts.”