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The MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet programme has given over R1 billion to more than 8 000 beneficiaries since its inception 26 years ago. Customers sign up for a MySchool card online and nominate up to three beneficiaries. Each time you swipe your MySchool card or linked WRewards card when you shop, Woolworths will donate to your chosen beneficiaries, at no cost to you. You can change your beneficiaries anytime to spread the love across causes close to your heart.
Many South Africans want to help under-resourced schools and credible charities but aren’t sure where to start. That is why MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet created the Thuso Fund: to ensure funds raised are used in the best possible way, to change lives for the better.
The Thuso Fund focuses on improving educational outcomes, specifically within early learning and literacy; developing work-ready youth and unlocking access to the economy, employability and income-generating activities; improving access to food and clean water to support food security; in disaster relief to help communities recover; and protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable ecosystems. Every project is carefully assessed and implementation is done with credible partners in the NGO sector, ensuring that these projects are delivering the agreed outcomes. By choosing the Thuso Fund as a beneficiary, customers are assured that the funding goes towards making a lasting and uplifting impact in communities where it is needed most.
Supporting early childhood development
In 2022/'23, the Thuso Fund allocated funds to many education-driven interventions, but the three largest were the partnerships with GROW Educare, Breadline Africa and Impande. The partnerships resulted in 11 ECD centres in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Western Cape, with a total of 24 new classrooms and associated facilities. The direct impact was felt by hundreds of children in the foundation phase.
Teaching the teachers
South Africa has a shortage of qualified teachers alongside the growing issue of youth unemployment. The Thuso Fund supplemented the Dream2Teach Scholarship Fund by giving students the chance to reach their teaching dreams, while also fighting youth unemployment. By turning a challenge into an opportunity to create positive change through partnerships with St. Peter's Foundation and the Realema Teacher Intern Programme, individuals without the financial resources to pursue a teaching qualification are offered the chance to achieve their teaching aspirations. The programme and its partners offer each student a bursary to cover the costs of tuition and books, placement at recognised educational institutions, a peer-support network, mentoring and coaching, and internship opportunities to top schools for work experience.
Water stewardship within communities
The Thuso Fund, in partnership with Woolworths, gave rise to the Woolies Water Fund, which has successfully implemented water intervention solutions worth R9,2 million in schools. These include more than 800 hand-washing stations and 238 water tanks in four provinces, as well as providing the capacity to store more than a million litres of rainwater at 126 schools, ensuring ongoing access to safe water for local communities. In addition, excess water is channelled to support sustainable food gardens, where possible. The aim is to assist schools in growing sustainable food gardens for school lunches and to share the produce with their communities.
Sign up for a MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card online or via the app (Google Play or Apple App Store) to give back to up to three of over 8 000 beneficiaries – at no charge – with every swipe.
The post and content is sponsored, written and provided by MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet.
