Aloha Friends of TABSA,
My time in South Africa in June/July 2013 will focus on two ongoing TABSA projects and securing arrangements with SA Education Department officials for teacher training workshops in 2014. Evaluations and highlights from the 2012 math and science workshops with 200 South African teachers may be accessed on our website: www.tab-sa.org
TABSA has worked on South African rural community-building projects with Rotary International (Districts 5000 – Hawaii, and District 9270 South Africa) for several years. The focus in 2013 is on providing uniforms and computers to rural schools.
The Computer Project
In partnership with Cornell University’s Computer Reuse Club, we have 60+ desktop computers scheduled to be shipped from NYC to Durban, SA in mid-May 2013. TABSA raises funds for shipping, and Rotary International helps with customs and delivery in SA. Sixty computers land in a SA rural school classroom at a cost of about $100 each, less than half of what a similar machine would cost in South Africa. Under TABSA’s conditions, computer classes are to be offered to all eligible learners, the computer lab must be secure, and successful operation guarantees that TABSA will replace machines when needed. Since 2007, six TABSA labs have served 4000 learners per year. We hope to open two more labs in 2013 serving at least, an additional 1000 learners per year.
The Uniform Project
Jay Seidenstein launched this project in 2012 in which $70 buys shoes, socks, underwear, pants/skirt, shirts, tie and a jacket for one year for one rural school child. Through your generosity, 45 learners are now being provided uniforms for two years. In 2013, our goal is to provide 100 learners a uniform set for two years ($14,000). In poverty stricken areas, many children who do not have uniforms do not attend school for fear of being further stigmatized. TABSA works with a SA social organization, Ziphakamise, to identify deserving families in remote rural areas. Rotary International (Port Shepstone Rotary Club,) administers the funds you donate toward the Uniform Project.
Please consider donating to these projects for 2013. Direct support is given to those who need it most.
Sincerely,
Yunus Peer – Director, TABSA
Please note that Paypal charges us 3% of your donation. A personal check to TAB – SA assures the full amount. TAB is an all-volunteer organization in which no administrator, staff, or participant is paid for any services.
Click on: TAB DONATION FORM – be sure to designate South Africa as the recipient of your donation.
Thank you! Please forward this email to friends who may consider supporting the effort.
Yunus C.Peer
Punahou School – Academy Social Studies
Teachers Across Borders