KYP Programs

School Fee Support
Education is essential for success in life. And yet, the vast majority of families in Kliptown have great difficulty affording the costs of school fees, uniforms, books, and supplies for their children, which amount to approximately R1,000 ($150) per year. One of the central principles of KYP is that every child who wants to be a member of KYP must commit to attend school, so for KYP members schooling is both an opportunity and an obligation.  Since its inception, KYP has been able to cover the costs of school for all students who would not otherwise be able to afford them thanks to the generous support of individuals, foundations, and companies.  Please contact Thulani Madondo at thu_im@hotmail.com for more information or to support a child's education.

Tutoring Program
The tutoring program runs Monday-Thursday afternoons and helps primary and secondary school students get the help they need to thrive in school.  Particular focus is given to high school students to help them prepare for their important matriculation exams, which they "write" at the end of their senior year.  While only 1 in 3 residents of Kliptown students can expect to pass their matric when the time comes, thanks to the tutoring program, almost every single KYP member has passed their matric exams at the end of grade 12.  The secondary school tutoring program (grades 8-12) is expertly run by a team of dedicated, professional teachers who spend two afternoons a week at KYP.  The KYP leadership team take on the role of helping the younger primary students with their homework after school on the other two week days.  One dream at KYP is to be able to expand the classroom space available so that each student could attend tutoring four days a week.  Please contact Monwabisi Baleni at monwakyp@yahoo.com to learn more about or help support the tutoring program.

Tertiary Education Program
Because of the success of the tutoring program, many KYP members are well prepared for university and eager attend.  The tertiary education program provides funds to successful students who need as, but wouldn't be able to attend without financial support.  Students have enrolled in programs focused on a number of different disciplines including Information Technology, Banking, Electrical Engineering and Marketing.  Many of the courses of study are 1-2 years in length while other students participating in 3-4 year degree programs.  While the cost of tertiary education is much more than primary and secondary school, KYP has been able to support students by assisting them with bursary (financial aid) applications, and individuals, foundations, and companies have also stepped in to make university possible with generous financial support.  Please contact Thulani Madondo at thu_im@hotmail.com for more information or to support a tertiary student's education.

Employment Networking, Learnerships, and Jobs
As they graduation from university, college, or high school, KYP members seek to enter the job market.  The KYP leadership works very hard to connect members with learnerships (internships) and jobs.  Companies such as Edcon stores and Telkom SA have been helpful in offering opportunities and advice to members.  In addition, KYP members benefit greatly from individuals who come to the center and speak about what skills, education, and training are necessary to find jobs and success in their respective fields.  Please contact Monwabisi Baleni at monwakyp@yahoo.com for more information on this program or if you would like to help connect a KYP member with a job.

One Laptop Per Child at KYP
The One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) program continues to be an extraordinary success, and today there are almost 300 XO laptops at KYP.  Not only are the children gaining general computer literacy, the XO computers are also a useful tool for many of the older students in preparing homework assignments.  Several of the KYP staff members have assisted with OLPC implementation at other locations in South Africa, such as the Lilydale Primary School, which many KYP members attend.  In addition, committee members have received training at OLPC's Cambridge offices in the US, and have attended conferences in other parts of the world.  Please contact Collen Tshazi at collen_kyp@yahoo.com if you would like to learn more about KYP's OLPC program or if you would like to help.

Library
KYP “learners” and community members are able to select books to read from KYP's library, which continues to grow.  The used books have been donated from a number of sources, and include picture books for the younger children as well as fiction and non-fiction for the older students and, importantly, many of the textbooks that learners use in their classes at their respective schools.  Please contact Nelly Mini at nellymkyp@yahoo.com for more information on the library or to support the library program.

Food Program
One of the struggles of life in Kliptown is inadequate nutrition for growing young bodies, with many children sometimes not having access to even one balanced meal per day.  This is especially true, given the rapid rise in food prices, which hits disadvantaged communities particularly hard.  KYP is working to alleviate the problem by providing all members with two nutritious meal a day at the center.  With some of KYP's leaders taking charge of the preparation, the children are able to eat breakfast or to get a bag lunch to take to school, and when the children arrive at KYP after school they are able to “fuel up” before digging into their tutoring and other KYP activities.  With this vital program, all members are able to focus much better on their studies while at school and at KYP.  Please contact Xolani Dubeto at d_xolani@yahoo.com for more information on the food program or if you would like to help support nutritious meals for the members at KYP.

Performing Arts
KYP's dancers are exceptionally talented.  They perform at home in Kliptown, around South Africa, and as far away as France and China.  Each group develops its own dances and range from traditional African dance, to gumboots, to hip hop.  For anyone who has ever had the privilege of seeing them in action, it is clear that the KYP dancers are exceptionally talented and enthusiastic!  Interested in getting involved with the or supporting KYP's performing arts program?  Please contact Basetsana Lokwae at lbasetsana@yahoo.com or Sipho Dladla at sipho_ktp@yahoo.com to if you are interested in learning more about or helping with the performing arts program.

AthleticsThe incredible people who make every day possible at KYP have dedicated themselves to helping their community.  In order to make it possible for them to continue their amazing work supporting Kliptown's students, KYP supports the leadership team with salaries or stipends.  In addition, leadership training and development is a part of being a member of the committee, and all seek to build their skills no matter what program or facet of KYP's work they oversee.  Please contact Thulani Madondo at thu_im@hotmail.com for more information about these programs or for how you can help support the amazing staff of KYP.