"Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world." 

Nelson Mandela

The objective of this project is to support and enhance the delivery of education in our beneficiary communities so that emerging, young adults have the mental and emotional capacity to harness the socio economic opportunities created through a vibrant biodiversity economy.

Our Theory of Change shows this holistic investment in education from Early Childhood Development through to Skills and Enterprise Development. Each step of a child's development is supported through collaborative community projects that improve the delivery of education and promote personal development.

We have identified three strategic, education pillars that we believe are the most powerful tools to quickly shift the educational landscape within under-resourced, rural communities.

Social and Emotional Learning

Social and Emotional Learning forms the foundation of our Education Programme. The purpose of SEL is to develop a child’s emotional literacy (EQ) and teach them the skills needed to manage the challengers of growing up in an under-resourced, rural community by developing self awareness and the ability to regulate emotional overwhelm, make good choices, build healthy relationships and become agents for positive change within their communities. Research has shown that social-emotional learning contributes significantly to overall health and happiness as well as academic progress. 

We work in partnership with two Primary Schools, where our comprehensively trained Youth Development Practitioners (YDP's) teach weekly SEL lessons to over 1000 learners from Grade 1 to Grade 6.

The resources that support this programme are:

1. SACE accredited COOL TO BE ME, SEL Training Programme
2. COOL TO BE ME Curriculum

This project is endorsed by the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDOE). 

Early Childhood Development

Research shows that the most critical intervention for optimal brain development is Early Childhood Development (ECD). We believe that through improving ECD delivery, and by providing parents and teachers with knowledge, effective infrastructure, nutrition and stimulation, our local communities will start moving towards a more hopeful future.

Key objectives in this project are to:

• Conduct community needs assessments and a baseline evaluation of ECD centres in our communities.
• Uplift ECD centres to the level and standards required for them to register with DSD (Department of Social Development) as a recognised
• ECD facility to receive operational grants from the Department of Basic Education.
• Assist with educator training, infrastructure, nutrition and other needs to improve the day-to-day environment for the children.

Library Computer Hubs

The Library Computer Hub Project is a collaboration between The Kariega Foundation, Ndlambe Municipality and bbd Software Development.

We currently have two Library Computer Hubs set up in the Ekuphumleni and Marselle Libraries, with a total of 30 computers for community members and learners to access. In addition, each Library has a full-time IT Technician and Facilitator employed with the responsibilities of:

• Computer care and safety.
• IT instruction and support to learners and community members.
• Creating and facilitating IT and Robotics clubs aligned with school curriculums.