Masicorp works for the people of Masiphumelele township in South Africa, where we estimate more than 40,000 people live disadvantaged and poor by the legacy of apartheid. Since 1999, our work has made a proven difference to the lives of people in Masiphumelele. Our focus is education — the surest route out of poverty. Our projects cover pre-school to adult learners — we are partners in education for life. Roughly 70% of the population have no regular work. Even for those with work, incomes are very low and many survive on very little each day. The township suffers from poverty-related health issues: it is estimated that many of the residents are HIV/AIDS+ and the number of tuberculosis victims has increased in recent years. MASICORP has 20 years’ of experience working in this township. Our approach has been to ask the community where and how they need support and, from this, we know the residents want a hand-up not a handout. We know that they see education as the route out of poverty. We know they will work hard to achieve success – and we see their hard work every day in our education projects and programs. Education is what we do. From improving the standard of early childhood education for the estimated 6000 pre-school age children living in this community, to working with teachers and learners in Maths, English and Science for Primary and High school, to community and school sports and adult skills training programmes in sewing and computers, each one of our programmes is available at no cost to the residents of this community. Please visit our web site and find out how you can help – www.masicorp.org
