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A New Year's Gift of Hope

Paediatric Emergency Unit at Sebokeng Hospital.

Darren Thomas – An Inspiration to Many

Help2read

World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) takes place on February 5th each year, and this year The Star Foundation is celebrating with the exciting announcement of our partnership with 

. Each year, WRAD is dedicated to highlighting the importance of reading aloud and promoting literacy across all ages by encouraging people to share stories with others in schools, homes, and their communities. This aligns perfectly with Help2read’s mission of ending illiteracy in South Africa by fostering a love for reading and storytelling.

In 2021, the Progress in International Reading Study (PIRLS) revealed that 81% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa could not read for meaning in any language. The consequences of low literacy levels are profound, limiting children’s ability to progress through school and become youth who contribute positively to the communities in which they live and the country’s economy. Help2read is tacking this issue by providing one-on-one support to children in public schools who struggle to read. Through consistent literacy input, reading help and fun activities, children in the programme not only learn to read, they fall in love with reading.

We are proud to share that we will be funding Help2read’s inspiring work in Gauteng throughout 2025 by collaborating to bring the proven success of their well-established literacy programme to children in two under-resourced schools in Diepsloot and Refilwe. But that’s not all… The programme’s impact extends far beyond the classroom and provides solutions to critical challenges faced by South African communities which demand urgent and impactful action.

One such challenge is that of unemployment among South African youth, and particularly young, black women. A staggering 39.2% of this marginalised demographic could not find meaningful employment in 2024. Alongside their reading support projects, Help2read’s approach provides first work experiences for unemployed young women (aged 18-25) from the townships in which the schools are situated.

With The Star Foundation’s donation, Help2read will implement six inter-related projects throughout the year. You can find out more about these in “the Journey” tab. In an impressive whole-of-community approach, the programme is set to achieve the following objectives:

Improve literacy rates of 320+ primary school learners and lay the foundations of early literacy among 300+ children from Early Learning centres in the township communities where the schools are located.

Equip 23 young women with valuable work experience and both personal and professional development. At the end of the programme, these women will be equipped with the skills they need to find meaningful employment.

Strengthen community ties by engaging parents to join their children’s literacy journeys at home and through other collaborative initiatives.

Together with Help2read, we are thrilled to embark on an inspiring 11-month journey to strengthen community cohesion, empower the youth, and build the nation’s ability to read for meaning. Since its inception in 2005, Help2read has reached 420 schools, trained and employed 675 young people, and assisted 40 000 children with reading support.

Collaboration is central to tackling the literacy crisis in South Africa, and we at The Star Foundation are ready to play our part. Together with Help2read, it is our privilege to contribute to building a future filled with opportunity- one book, one child, one woman, and one community at a time. We hope you’ll follow our journey!

We are collaborating to bring successful literacy initiatives to children in two under-resourced schools in Diepsloot and Refilwe. This programme also addresses critical challenges in South African communities, making a significant impact.

Literacy Support Partnership

Qhubeka Charity

Qhubeka is a Nguni word that means “to progress,” or “to move forward.” The 

, moves people and communities forward with the simple act of assembling and distributing bicycles. In the face of extreme and persistent poverty, bicycles have the potential to change the lives of the most vulnerable communities in South Africa by helping people get where they need to go.

In South Africa, millions of scholars walk long distances to and from school every day along dusty roads, burdened by the weight of their books. For some, the daily journey on foot takes hours. This test of endurance consumes time, drains energy, and ultimately affects academic performance, leading to high levels of fatigue and alarming dropout rates from Grade 1 through Matric.

By partnering with Qhubeka Charity, The Star Foundation is changing this reality for 50 scholars in the Grade 9 class at Sefutswelo High School in Uitkyk, Northwest. Through a donation of R425,000, each scholar will receive a brand-new bicycle this February, along with spare parts for maintenance and a range of cycling accessories.

Because cycling is 3.5 times faster than walking, The Star Foundation’s bicycle donation will transform the daily commute to school for these learners. The new bicycles will not only reduce travel time and enable on-time arrival at school but will also ensure that scholars have more energy to focus on their studies, leading to better academic performance and greater participation in school activities.

Before receiving their bicycles, all 50 scholars will undergo a comprehensive training program conducted by Qhubeka Charity, through which they will learn how to ride their bicycles, use the accessories and spare parts to maintain them, and to follow the rules of the road. Following this training, each learner will take ownership of their new bicycle in a special distribution ceremony which is set to take place in February 2025.

Qhubeka Charity’s innovative “learn-to-earn” programme is designed to ensure that every bicycle distributed is not just donated as a gift, but as a reward for pledges made and fulfilled by each recipient. In exchange for their bicycles, each learner will sign a contract with commitments to enhance their school attendance and academic performance and to be accountable for the bicycle’s care and maintenance.

The journey doesn’t stop there. Beyond the classroom, Qhubeka Charity goes the extra mile by uplifting the whole community. Each bicycle is assembled locally in a dedicated facility, creating employment opportunities for people in the area where it operates. Additionally, Qhubeka trains local bicycle mechanics, equipping them with bicycle repair and basic business management skills. These mechanics will visit the school regularly to ensure the bicycles remain in use and are kept in peak condition.

As the 2025 school year begins, The Star Foundation is delighted to be empowering the Grade 9 class at Sefutswelo High School, as well as offering valuable skills development and employment opportunities to the local community of Uitkyk. We are excited to see how each bicycle will have its proud new owner pedaling towards a brighter future.

Building Futures

Jumping Kids

 beneficiary, Elle Raphela. Elle is a Grade 8 learner at Ligbron Academy of Technology – a dual medium high school in Ermelo, Mpumalanga that uses unique technological tools to educate its students.

Elle was born with a congenital condition that affected her right leg from the knee down as well as Scoliosis, a medical condition in which a person's spine has an irregular curve in the coronal plane.

In 2014, when Elle was three years old, she underwent a through-knee amputation. In 2018 she successfully applied for assistance from the Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund and was fitted with her first lower limb prosthetic device.

Despite living with a physical challenge, Elle is coping well when she is at her family home in Middelburg, and when she is at school in Ermelo pursuing academic excellence. She is an example of courage and determination to all who know her.

What is your favourite subject at school and why?

My favourite subject is Technology because I have a passion for building things.

What would you like to pursue as a career one day?

I would like to study to become a physiotherapist one day.

What types of sport and extracurricular activities are you involved in?

What do you hope to try with your new prosthetic sports blade?

I hope to be able to run better and faster on my prosthetic blade.

What is your message to children living with a physical challenge?

My message to other children living with physical challenges is to just keep going and always give your best.

January

Reach for a Dream

This December, The Star Foundation joined forces with the 

to bring joy, hope and a touch of magic to children battling life-threatening illnesses. Together, we hosted seven Christmas -themed Dream Clubs across South Africa, which touched the lives of over 200 brave children and their families in Gauteng. Western Cape, Eastern Cape (2), KwaZulu Natal, Free State and Limpopo.

The Dream Club is one of the Foundation’s newest initiatives. Piloted in 2023 and officially launched in 2024, this unique project creates a platform for dreamers and their families to escape the confines of hospital rooms and treatments and embark on extraordinary adventures which transform ordinary days into cherished memories. The project brings together children undergoing similar treatment journeys, fostering a supportive community where they can share their experiences, celebrate victories and find hope amid their challenges.

The Reach for a Dream Foundation, renowned for its mission to give children the courage to believe in tomorrow, has been fulfilling the dreams of children in South Africa for the past 36 years. Through their work, they alleviate the immense strain that illness places on these young dreamers by providing opportunities for them to realize their greatest wishes.

Hope plays a crucial role in helping children with life-threatening illnesses. Research by the American Psychological Association shows that hopeful children have better health, stronger resilience, and a more positive outlook. This Christmas, the seven December Dream Clubs brought comfort and support, keeping hope alive for children across the country.

The Star Foundation proudly brought the Dream Club vision to life this festive season, helping make dreams come true. With a donation of R100,000 we created unforgettable experiences for young dreamers in seven cities. Each child dressed up with Dream Club Kits, collected stickers as keepsakes, and journaled about their extraordinary day, creating cherished memories.

From the Eastern Cape to Gauteng, each Dream Club was uniquely magical. In East London, children enjoyed Christmas themed arts and crafts, while in Polokwane, they learned to bake and decorate Christmas cookies. The highlight of every celebration was Santa’s grand entrance, where each child received a special Christmas gift and a photo with Father Christmas to cherish forever.

At each event, children were encouraged to embrace the Dream Club’s core values: courage, confidence, hope and family. These gatherings not only fostered lasting friendships among the children but also brought moments of relief and joy to their families.

A BIG thank you to everyone who contributed to making this campaign a success. Together, we can continue spreading hope – one dream at a time!

Christmas 2024

"Thank you all so much for all that you did for us, we really do appreciate the support."

Surgeons for little lives

"We would like to thank you for your generous spirit in these extremely
challenging times."

Ladles of Love 

"Reach For a Dream Foundation would like to thank you and your organization for supporting the Foundation"

reach for a dream

"Thank you so much for everything. You and the Star Foundation made a huge difference."  Shane Peyper 

Wings of Inspiration Care Centre

"Once again, thank you to The Star Foundation for the meaningful donation made to the Hein Wagner Academy"

Fredrika Mansfeldt

"We are beyond grateful to receive this money, you have no idea how much this means to us!" 

Lambano Sanctuary

“We are speechless! What a spectacular way to start the new week. THANK YOU 

 for your amazing generosity and support. We are rolling up our sleeves - with this so many more surgeries have become possible!” – Project Flamingo

Project Flamingo

"Our deepest gratitude goes out to the Star Foundation for their generous donation"

Frida Hartley Shelter 

“Thank you to The Star Foundation for the wonderful contribution and making such a meaningful difference to the lives of these young people” 

Sherie de Wet 

“I would like to thank The Star Foundation for the wonderful work they are doing, and for the donation of medical supplies to HospiceWits”

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Help2read - Literacy Support Partnership

RAISED TO DATE

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Success Stories

Building Futures

R425,000 Raised

January

R50,000 Raised

Christmas 2024

R100,000 Raised

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A New Year's Gift of Hope

Paediatric Emergency Unit at Sebokeng Hospital.

Darren Thomas – An Inspiration to Many