She lives to make a difference
Together with a close friend, Help A Grow Foundation began.
SOCIAL Entrepreneur Mathilda Sekoakoa, from Meyersdal, has journeyed a long way before arriving at the point of pursuing her passion. Together with a close friend, Help A Grow Foundation began.
Mathilda’s intention was to bring hope to others and to create a future that she wanted to see for every South African child. This amazing woman is also a mother of three children, aged 15, nine and eight years.
She works hard daily, balancing her duties both at home and towards the goal of ensuring that all primary schools in SA, especially in the less privileged areas, and early childhood development centres (ECDs) provide fundamental skills of reading and writing.
The foundation’s core mission is to create environments that allow unconventional learning, with the aim of improving the literacy levels in primary public schools.
Research shows that 250 million children around the world lack the basics of reading and writing. In South Africa alone, six in 10 children cannot read and write by the time they reach Grade Six.
“All our events in the past (from 2011 to date) have been a great success, as they allowed us to donate books to a number of places, such as Carter Primary School, in Alexandra, where we assisted Gugu Nkuna with book donations to serve 1800 pupils,” said Mathilda.
“We also hosted a birthday book drive, where each member of the organisation donated their birthday to the cause and their friends and family would give a book instead of presents.”
Books have also been donated to two orphanages in Vosloorus and more than 1 500 lives have been impacted so far.
“Be certain this is your passion so that, when the tough times come, you are able to roll with the punches and throw them at the right time,” Mathilda advised other social entrepreneurs.
Should anyone be interested in partnering with Help A Grow Foundation, a monthly contribution of R100-R150 per month, which is equivalent to the cost of a book, will be most welcome.
Contact Mathilda on 062 514 6363.
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