ZamaSA

Zama is a NPO/PBO that provides opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to participate in quality afterschool education and extracurricular programmes in the New Brighton township of Port Elizabeth. These programmes encourage children to reach their potential academically, socially, and emotionally and to develop a positive outloo... k on their future. When children believe in their ability to make a positive contribution to society, anything is possible. Zama, meaning 'try it' in isiXhosa, is a continuation of work started by The Oliver Foundation in Port Elizabeth. The afterschool programme, which has been running since January 2008, has evoloved into four independently run programmes running under the Zama banner: creative development, English language, preschool and baby care, and performing arts. Zama is run at a disused venue - the Arthur Nyobo School - in Red Location, New Brighton where over 250 children attend programmes four afternoons per week. The children are served an afterschool meal when they arrive at Zama and then are sent on their way to have a fun and event-filled afternoon. Our youngest children attend the Happy Feet Creche in the mornings where they are nurtured and receive important pre-primary education. "The impact on the children is outstanding. We see changes in their behaviour, the pride they have in themselves, their attitude and even in their grooming as they begin to understand the extra effort to fine-tune a skill. The children just want to try new things," says Zama's Gail Hawes.Read More