Sowetho Education

 AIAIA has been connected with the village of Sowetho (Itipini) for many years.  This settlement of people living in governmental housing is one of great despair; poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment and crime.  In 2019 the school age children of Sowetho were given the opportunity to board and study at St. Patrick Catholic School, outside of Mthatha, South Africa.

In 2020 these 20 children, ages 6-15 experienced another life style change when the when the NGO Touching Acts moved them into a 5+ bedroom home to live in a smaller, more nurturing, home environment with a compassionate and caring staff of seven. The children are thriving in their new environment where their safety, emotional, spiritual and educational needs are met. Teachers from St. Patrick’s report the children are improving academically with the assistance of tutors. The education department also provides social workers for the psychological and emotional issues stemming from growing up in the violent environment of Sowetho.

The children’s parents (who still live in Sowetho/Itipini) are pleased to see their children's happiness and good health. The families are united monthly to share a meal.

It was especially fortuitous that the children were in the Touching Acts boarding home as COVID shut down the entire country of South Africa at the end of March.  The seven caregivers became full-time caregivers as well as teachers during the 6 month shutdown with staff from St. Patrick’s providing educational resources to study at home. Had they not been living at the TA home, they would have gone back to Sowetho, a toxic environment without basic services not to mention a lack food, safety concerns and no education assistance.

The Sowetho children have undergone a significant transformation since moving out of Sowetho. Spiwo Xapile, AIAIA Board member commented:

“These children are not the children we saw at Itipini (Sowetho). What would have happened without the opportunity they were given?”

Arm In Arm In Africa is proud to support the Sowetho children with transportation to school, uniforms and shoes.