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The ASF prepares scholars for adulthood by ensuring that they are able to complete their education at high school. Our areas of operation are the Free State, the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape from where we select those who are academically capable, but very poor. In fact, we do not have anyone with a total monthly household income exceeding R5000. The great majority of our beneficiaries depend on a grandmother’s pension or someone’s disability grant. We encourage, care for and award our learners a little money that goes towards paying into the school fund, for uniforms, transport and other necessities.

The schools and social workers identify the kids in need. They are the ones that see them in class barefoot, in tattered clothes, hungry with no food to eat at break time, having no books, perhaps abused. Thousands of referrals come each year. We give awards to learners for good work right up to Matric (Grade 12) usually R800 p.a., but sometimes up to R1800 p.a. All payments are made through the school, making sure that the money is used for school items. These awards are not hand-outs. We are more like parents, writing them letters and showing an interest in their lives. At least twice a year, mid-year and in December, we check the school reports in order to monitor and evaluate progress.

Someone once said “We give you the money and you go dishing it out to poor children” – but it is not quite like that.

Of course we give money to help pay for school expenses – R800 p.a, or sometimes a bit more, is paid through the school in two installments provided that progress is satisfactory. We encourage our learners to work hard, we look at their marks and we are proud when they send us fine results. The learners respond with extra effort. We ask them about their plans, we give a little counseling and plenty of encouragement because often no help can be given by the parents - if they have any!

Individual letters are written, especially to the grade 9s and the matriculants, giving as much counsel as we can regarding their future plans - always with a view to what is practical for them. Advice Booklets Gr9 and Advice Booklets Gr12 are being made available, summarizing vital information and offering these learners guidance that will lead to more informed decisions being taken. Every effort is made to ensure that our grade 9s are properly guided to the decision as to whether they should continue their FET phase at school or enter into an FET college. Our Senior Certificate candidates are carefully nurtured and placed at suitable institutions and in training programmes, with the end goal being that they are able to enter the world of work on completion. Skills training at FET colleges are actively being promoted.