How you can help

There are 200 children registered with the Touch of Eden School. However, due to the severe economic conditions in South Africa, only 180 parents are able pay the monthly school fees of roughly $34.00.

One of our operating principles is that a child may not attend school unless the fees are paid. We are strict about this rule, so that no one can take advantage of us. Currently, there are a number of children whose parents genuinely are unable to pay fees.

Touch of Eden’s Sponsorship Policies and Guidelines

Which children do we choose?

• We choose children already at Eden where situations of financial stress may occur; for example, death of a parent, job loss etc.
• We choose children known to the community, whose parents cannot afford our school fees.
• We do not select on cognitive superiority. Any child who can function within the class of their age level is a potential sponsorship child. 
• The Principal with input from the staff, makes all final decisions about which children are to receive sponsorship.  

Contact between the School and the parents of sponsorship children :

• Parents are told that the sponsorship programme is strictly for one year only. They are encouraged to save money for next year. 
• The School is carrying out three home visits per year to the parents of the sponsorship child.  The principal and a representative of the sponsorship program (Margaret Abbott or Florentine Wijsenbeek) will carry out these visits.
• Parents do not have any contact with the donor(s) unless agreed by each party.
• Parents need to maintain a very low absenteeism of the child.
• A sponsored child needs to display good behaviour.
• Parents need to cooperate fully, doing homework with the child and support the School/teacher in any way they can.
• The School can decide to end the sponsorship if parents can pay school fees again or are not cooperative regarding the program.

How do we maintain contact with the sponsor?

• Firstly, an introduction email from the Principal with the background of the child and the academic potential will be sent, thanking the donor(s) for their interest and support. 
• Twice a year the report of the child will be sent to the sponsorship donor(s). 
• Twice a year, informal contact will take place with drawings, a video message, or a letter from the child to the sponsorship donor(s). The Principal or class teacher can also make a video how the child is progressing.