End of Year Update

As we reflect on 2023, we cannot help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude. It has been a year of triumphs and growth that has impacted our VUSA community.

Our rugby season has been nothing short of fantastic, filled with hard-fought victories and lesson-learning losses; seeing our young athletes give their all on the field has been wonderful. Equally inspiring is the improvement in attendance for academic days, accompanied by a commendable rise in academic performance, particularly on the Atlas Digibus. Grade 5s have been really enthusiastic about the coding program and we're excited to announce its integration into the afterschool program in 2024.

VUSA'S 67 MINUTES AND MORE

Every year on Mandela Day, we are reminded of the powerful words spoken by the great Nelson Mandela himself: "There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children"

These words resonate deeply with us at the VUSA Rugby and Learning Academy, as we witness firsthand both the challenges and the triumphs of our beloved South Africa.

In our work within the non-profit sector, we encounter the complexities of our society on a daily basis. We witness the struggles faced by our children, the disparities that exist, and the pressing issues that demand our attention. Mandela's observation that we are failing our children weighs heavily on our hearts.

However, amidst these challenges, we also witness something truly remarkable. We see the unwavering dedication of individuals who embody the spirit of Ubuntu—the belief that we are all interconnected and that our actions have the power to transform lives. These incredible people are the bedrock of our community—the supporters, the volunteers, the donors—who selflessly give their time, resources, and expertise to uplift those whom society has let down.

First Term Update

A great start to 2023 and like everyone around us, we have hit the ground running.

This year’s focus will be on adapting programmes to address post-COVID effects on both sports and academics (Recent studies reported that most Quintile 1-4 schools, covered only 22%-40% of their curriculum). We are committed to not only providing valuable services to our participants but also to measuring the effectiveness of our programs. This means tracking data on everything from attendance to academic performance to overall satisfaction. While it may not always be the most exciting aspect of our jobs, it is absolutely crucial in ensuring that we are making a real impact in the community we serve.

However, every now and then, we are reminded of the true impact of our work in a way that data alone cannot convey. At the recent Wynberg Boys Rugby Festival our staff were delighted to see our 2022 Under 13’s graduates, continuing their rugby journey.  One of our staff sent a team photo to their parent’s group and the messages we received back reminded us why we really do this work.   The main message was that of gratitude to VUSA staff for the impact the programme has had on their kids.  One parent said he was thankful that because of the guidance of VUSA staff, his child had found a passion and purpose and was not spending weekends smoking on the street corner.   Another one thanked our staff for making their child understand that disadvantage only means disadvantage if you allow it to mean that.  Children in the South African townships turn to anti-social behaviours and gangs to gain a sense of belonging but as a child on a VUSA team, that sense of belonging already exists.  Thank you to the parents who sent messages which remind us of the importance of our work and motivate us to continue pushing forward, despite the challenges we face. They remind us that, even though the work we do can sometimes feel small in the face of larger societal issues, it has a tangible impact on the lives of real people.