Education for Children in Cape Town

Dear friends of the children of Cape Town,

I greet you with best wishes for the year 2026. From Cape Town, many children, young people, and adults wave to you and say: Thank you!
After the sometimes moving Christmas celebrations, the new school year began here last Wednesday. This required a number of activities: School uniforms had to be purchased. We met with 12 students in the center of Cape Town.
We then divided into two groups and purchased all the necessary items for the school uniforms: pants, skirts, blouses, shirts, socks (which are also mandatory), sweaters, jackets, and shoes. Since it was one of the hottest days of the year, it was very nice to sit together afterwards and enjoy some cold drinks. Next “shopping marathon”: Each student receives a list of consumables for the new school year, which are also mandatory. On average, we paid 2000 rand (approx. 100 euros) for each student.
Thank you very much for your generous donations. We were able to pay for all purchases without any problems.

Then there were the school and university fees to pay. Since we pay the fees for the whole year, we received a partial discount.
However, our activities were not limited to shopping and payments. We met pupils, students, parents, teachers, and caregivers almost every day. We heard many stories and were asked many questions. We became increasingly aware of the poor situation in the schools. The responsible government officials had once again dismissed teachers or eliminated vacant positions, leaving the schools with tasks that were almost impossible to solve. Two of our girls had to change their chosen subjects at the beginning of 11th grade. In this example, that means they have to take geography instead of fine arts. They are missing the material from 10th grade, which will be tested at the end of 12th grade in the matriculation exam. A high school teacher told us that he now has to teach 34 lessons of 55 minutes each because he is the only English teacher at the school for the upper grades.
The reason given by the ministry is: We have to save money. We doubt that this is the right place to make savings.
On the other hand, joy and gratitude help us to endure the hardships.
We have heard “Thank you,” “You are an angel,” “We appreciate it so much,” “You saved our year,” and many other expressions of gratitude. They are addressed to you, and I am happy to pass them on.

“Our” students have consistently good grades and all have been promoted to the next grade. We are very happy about this. In 2026, seven students will be in their final year of school and will take their matriculation exams in November.
Two “young ladies” have completed their studies. Both come from very poor backgrounds and still live in simple huts. We have been supporting them since they were 12 years old. After graduating from school, one of them studied to become a teacher for grades 4 to 7 and was very anxious about whether she would get a job in the current climate of layoffs. You cannot imagine how this young woman beamed when she found out at short notice that she would be getting a job at her dream school. The principal had briefly informed the “department” that two teachers were absent due to illness and that she would be replacing them with a young teacher. It worked out. The young woman is so happy. She will be teaching a fourth grade class and directing the school choir.
This is an example of how your money is being put to good use.

The other young lady’s application was just as successful. She completed her studies (Public Administration) with a bachelor’s degree and honors and applied to the Western Cape Province. At the beginning of February, she will start a one-year internship with excellent prospects of a permanent position afterwards. Here, too, you have helped to lift someone out of poverty.

We have achieved so much together and there is still so much we can achieve.

With best wishes, I greet you with a joyful heart.
Marlies