The hand that rocks the cradle

Many of the young girls at the School of Hope write their Grade 12 exams with a book in the one hand and a baby in the other.

The reason we advocate for young mothers to complete education at almost any cost, is because we believe that an educated mother is almost certainly going to result in an educated child. Gaylene (2009 Bachelors pass), Bianca (2011 Diploma pass) and Fatimah (2012 Bachelors pass) are all School of Hope alumni who managed to successfully balance academics and motherhood. This year, there are three more mothers bravely facing their up-coming Grade 12 trial exams.

We asked our learners why education is important to them.

Jasmine and Faeeda

Jasmine (19): "My education is important to me because I know that without it I cannot make a success of my life. I grew up in a broken home - my father was on drugs and my mother was sick and depended on me. I also had the responsibility of looking after my brother and sister since I was 15. That's when I realised how important education is. Along the way I made some mistakes. I dropped out of school in Grade 11 and used drugs and alcohol to make me feel better. A friend motivated me to enroll at the School of Hope and soon after, I discovered I was pregnant. Now the most important thing for me is for my child to grow up in a loving home,  finish her education and make something of her life." Jasmine has one daughter, 14 months old.

Thandiswa (21): "Many women end up single mothers and they need to be able to create a better future for their children and themselves.  Today getting an education is easier than in the past so we need to grab the opportunity, we need to have the urge to complete our education. We need to break the chain of poverty in order to succeed. Education gives the opportunity for work and security for our children even when we are no longer there." Thandiswa has two children, a girl,3 years old, and a boy, 8 months old.

Jasmine and Thandiswa are both currently in Grade 12, and both want to study Education.

Shakeelah (18): "Without education it will be more difficult to get work, provide for your family and be independent. Jobs are few but by studying further and  qualifying, you have a better chance at getting work." Shakeelah is in Grade 10 and wants a career in travel and tourism. She has an 8-month old baby boy
.

Fatimah (with daughter Ayeesha) is
currently studying Humanities at Stellenbosch University

William Ross Wallace said it best when he penned these words:

Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world. 

August News

Education is the greatest gift you could ever give any girl-child or young woman. One woman represents ten who will be impacted, represents future children and their children’s children.

Keeping girls in school is the only way to significantly lower the levels of unplanned teenage pregnancy.

The rate of teen pregnancies amongst school children in SA is unacceptably high. Dropping out of school is by far the biggest contributor to teenage pregnancy. It not only increases the risk of pregnancy in girls, but also significantly increases the risk of HIV infection.

More education translates into more choices for further education, greater chance of employment and increased earning power – as well as the ability to make better choices about sexuality in the future!

The School of Hope is known as a second-chance programme. For our dedicated staff, giving young girls the opportunity to complete their schooling is a priority and our God-inspired calling.

Not only are we committed to giving the girls in our communities a second chance at completing their education, but we have taken a stand about pregnant girls at school: that we will value and celebrate the life of every child and every mother who carries that child. We will make it as easy as possible for that girl to complete her education successfully.

The reason we have chosen this approach, is because we believe that a young mother with an education is better for a child than a young mother without an education. The more educated the mother is, the more choices she can make and the more the chance that her child, in turn, will be able to make good choices and reach higher levels of education.

We are committed to breaking the cycle of poverty and despair and to bring hope through education, the only sustainable solution for generational and entrenched poverty amongst the women of this country.

Meet some of our brave mothers, who have chosen to stay in school and make something of their lives:

Fatima Santon (16) is currently in Grade 11. She has one daughter, Ayisha (17 months). Fatima dreams of becoming a paediatrician.

Bianca Moyakhe (19) is in Grade 12. She has one son, Buhle (20 months). She wants to work in Tourism or Marketing. She travelled to New York in February on the Active Compassion Transforms mentorship programme.

Fagmeedah Isaacs (20) is in Grade 10. She has two sons, aged 3 years and 1 year.
After completing school, she wants to qualify as a nurse or a social worker.









Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. If you can do one thing to make poverty history, it should be to put a girl through school in your lifetime.