Rödl Employee Fund for Children’s Aid: Project South Africa – Dancing for self-confidence

In Hout Bay, near Cape Town in South Africa, are two townships (this is the name for informal settlements in South Africa): Imizamo Yethu and Hangberg. More than 20,000 people live there in very confined spaces, mostly in tin shacks. The children of the townships are affected by the high crime rate and lack of prospects. For these children, it is of enormous importance to promote their self-esteem, self-confidence and self-discipline in order to a create prospective future and, for example, to enable them to continue their education. Besides school, many children do not have any other regular activities. The organisation "Amoyo" wants to promote self-esteem, self-confidence and self-discipline of the children of these two townships by way of professional dance, theatre, music and performance courses. Amoyo offers about 32 courses per week and the demand is high. In regular shows, the children can present their new talents. 

As money is scarce, most children cannot afford dancewear. As a result, 80 children of the organisation had no dancewear. However, dancewear is of great importance for the children's self-esteem and self-confidence.

With the help of the Rödl Employee Foundation, we were able to have uniform T-shirts and leotards made for these 80 children. Besides the new dancewear itself, the fact that it was tailor-made for each child, was absolutely special to the children.

 

The result was clearly visible. The children were very excited about their new dancewear and wore it proudly in the next dance lesson. The uniform dancewear contributes a lot to the children's sense of community. In addition, it strengthens professionalism. The T-shirts are also worn by the children in their free time and help to encourage other children to participate in the projects.

 

Due to corona, the dance classes had to be put on hold for some time and was greatly missed by the children. Apart from satisfying basic needs, it is very important for the children of the townships, where there are hardly any leisure activities, to be able to take part in such activities. 

Amoyo means "spirit of appreciation" (appreciating everything and everyone) and this wonderful approach to upskilling and empowering the children of Hout Bay is already having a huge impact, not only on the children but on their families and the broader community, too.