Education
From May 2021 – SnAPSA will be implementing the
“Check and Connect” Programme

SnAPSA has been implementing KKiDZS since May 2021.  The Keeping Kidz In School project is adapted from Check and Connect, an evidence based programme, developed by Minnesota University that has been successfully implemented in schools across the United States of America. It is a comprehensive intervention designed to enhance student engagement at school and with learning for marginalized and disengaged students through relationship-building, problem-solving, capacity building, peer support, group work and persistence.

The programme has been adapted for South Africa and been successfully implemented in the Eastern Cape Province by our sister organisation, Masibumbane Development Organisation.
The goal of the programme is to foster school completion with academic, social and emotional competence.

By assisting young people to complete their basic education and enabling the learners to remain positively engaged in the school system, their future is more secure and they have an opportunity to become socio-economically independent.

KKiDZS staff further work with the families and the community to encourage support networks and linkage to community services as required. 

"Keeping Kidz in School" Programme (KKiDZS): Empowering South African Youth for a Brighter Future
Overview: Southern Africa Partners SA NPC (SnAPSA) proudly introduces the "Keeping Kidz in School" Programme (KKiDZS), an initiative designed to enhance student engagement and promote academic, social, and emotional competence among marginalized and disengaged students. Developed in collaboration with the evidence-based Check and Connect program from Minnesota University, KKiDZS has already made significant strides in improving the educational prospects of South African youth.

A Proven Approach: KKiDZS draws inspiration from the Check and Connect program, which has seen success in schools across the United States. This comprehensive intervention focuses on relationship-building, problem-solving, capacity building, peer support, group work, and persistence to address the unique challenges faced by students at risk of disengagement.

Local Adaptation: The program has been thoughtfully adapted for the South African context, with prior success demonstrated in the Eastern Cape Province through our sister organization, Masibumbane Development Organisation.
Program Goals: The primary goal of KKiDZS is to foster school completion with academic, social, and emotional competence. By assisting young people in completing their basic education and maintaining positive engagement in the school system, we are ensuring a more secure future and greater opportunities for socio-economic independence.
Achievements (May 2021 - August 2023):

May - December 2021

  • Appointed a dedicated social worker.
  • Referred 46 students to the KKiDZS © Programme from 3 schools.
  • Witnessed significant improvements in grades, attendance, and behavior for 30 of these students.
  • Successfully placed 1 student in a school tailored for children with learning disabilities.
  • Conducted 27 home visits.
  • Completed 21 parent consultations at school premises.
  • Distributed 450 dignity packs to students.

January - December 2022

  • Appointed a Psycho-Social Mentor, augmenting our staff capacity.
  • Referred 165 students to the KKiDZS © programme from 3 schools.
  • Witnessed impressive results, with 80% of students showing improvements in grades, attendance, and behavior.
  • Conducted 2 peer support groups comprising 6 five-hour sessions each, addressing various crucial topics.
  • Provided counseling to 51 families at school premises.
  • Conducted 3 home visits.
  • Referred 11 students to community stakeholders for additional support.
  • Launched a peer tutoring program.
  • Addressed a wide range of student issues, including domestic violence, sexual assault, cyberbullying, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts/attempts.
  • Organized teacher meetings and psycho-social support activities at all schools to enhance their understanding of their role in the KKiDZS program's success.

January - August 2023

  • Welcomed 90 new candidates into the KKiDZS program, with over 50% showing early improvements in behavior and grades.
  • Conducted training sessions for teachers in all 3 schools on identifying "at-risk" learners and their role in supporting KKiDZS activities.
  • Identified and trained 6 Champion Teachers (2 in each school) to provide initial support to learners in need.
  • Collaborated with SADAG (SA Depression and Anxiety Group) to implement a targeted mental wellness program, addressing depression and attempted suicide among school learners.
  • Commemorated South Africa's Human Rights Day (21 March) by addressing issues of Gender-Based Violence and Bullying through interactive events with students.
  • Supported International World Read Aloud Day (1 February) in the junior school, promoting a love for reading and literacy.

Highlights of 2024

  • 381 learners enrolled and supported by the KKiDZS Programme in 2024
  • Over 500 learners engaged through mentoring, home visits, and psychosocial interventions
  • 2 Child and Youth Care Workers (CYCWs) recruited, 2 new schools added to the network, we now support 5 schools, 2 Primary schools and 3 High Schools
  • Delivered successful anti-bullying workshop to 150 learners, improving school environments and reducing incidents
  • Conducted a parent/caregiver session on effective parenting strategies
  • Conducted 9 home visits to strengthen home-school partnerships
  • Completed 102 parent consultations at school premises
  • Only 3 learners dropped out of our program, representing less than 1%
  • Conducted 2 peer support groups comprising 6 three-hour sessions each, addressing various crucial topics
  • Referred 23 learners to community stakeholders for additional support
  • Delivered successful grief counselling workshop to 50 learners
  • Delivered successful exam preparation workshops benefitting 240 learners
  • Collaborated with SADAG (SA Depression and Anxiety Group) to conduct 3 mental health talk sessions

Join Us in Making a Difference: SnAPSA continues its commitment to empowering South African youth and fostering a brighter future. With your support and our dedicated efforts, we aim to expand the reach of the KKiDZS program and positively impact even more lives.

For inquiries please contact us at info@southernafricapartners.org  and visit our donation page https://southernafricapartners.org/donations/ .

$50 (+- R850) per month will help support a child in the programme to get the mentorship, and dignity supplies they need to stay in school.

Together, we can create a more inclusive and promising future for the children of Southern Africa.

Contrary to popular belief, learners don’t leave school because they are lazy or irresponsible.
Dropout is rarely a single event; it’s a cumulative process of disengagement that occurs over time. Disruptions in the home, school and community push and pull the child away from school.
Implementing this evidence based programme in schools (starting in one and growing to more) will help to:
  • Build capacity in schools to reduce the school dropout rate
  • To encourage action by schools and communities to take action to do something about the dropout issues in the community
  • Increase awareness about school dropout and encourage action to address it
  • Demonstrate what it takes to help children make it through school
  • Reduce the “knock-on effect” of dropout and unemployment and social spending on the challenges raised by this.
our vision for Education

Supporting the growth of a community centre for learning will be a project that will be activated and grown into a space for skills development.  The day to day activities within the centre will be to provide classes and mentorship to the community members so they can develop the skills to make a living.

Integrate creative art and industrial theatres to help release repressed feelings of anger and frustration. This will also assist in unearthing creativity and potential.
This activity will include
  • Developing training materials according to the assessed needs of the community
  • Using existing training materials from other key sources and partner organisations that have already been tested
  • Supporting the youth who need a safe place to study through having mentor sessions with them
  • Linking community members with outside mentors who are able to support their particular area of study
  • Build peer led support study groups that meet after school in the community centre
  • Have gardening and skills development activity groups to promote the anti-poverty initiatives
  • Diversify and include innovative programmes e.g4th Industrial Revolution and Renewable Energy projects
  • Integrate creative art and industrial theatres to help release repressed feelings of anger and frustration. This will also assist in unearthing creativity and potential.
documents / resources
Download Press Release August 2023