School Uniforms for children in Rural Africa

Many of the children we work with come from Sigagule village - a rural village bordering Kruger National Park. People walk to the village tap for access to water, people cook over an open fire using firewood,  they have their own pit toilets... its basic and simple. Many children live with just a mother or even a granny--- this means that life can be tough, life can be the daily struggle to walk to  fetch water, walk to fetch firewood, walk to school. The low salaries get spent on the basics - maize porridge tea, beans... For many of these families - spending R 400 on a school uniform is not always possible.

A school uniform is a luxury - but once they have one there is an amazing sense of pride, of ownership, of belonging. For many children this school uniform might even be the smartest thing they own, that is not too small or torn. School uniforms ensure the children can feel they belong- they dont compare clothes to each other, their uniforms give them solidarity. Its a small thing that many of us have never had to think about.... 

But looking at this photo of children on a field trip ( where no dress code was specified to their parents) all the children chose to wear their school uniform. to look smart for their game drive and field trip. It makes you realise what a difference  your donation towards uniforms can do to someones self esteem and opportunities!