Bursary Program
The Balule Outreach Trust
Supporting Our Community
Bursary Program
For Indigent Learners
Southern Cross schools, Hoedspruit
Between 2013 and 2018, by way of grants totalling R975 000, the Trust supported the Reach-A-Cross Community Partnership Programme initiated by Ant de Boer, the then Headmaster of Southern Cross Schools. Reach-A-Cross offered two main programmes, one focused on being a support for educators in under resourced and previously disadvantaged communities, the other supporting promising learners from four partner schools by way of holiday schools focusing on mathematics and science. The programme was bolstered in May 2016 when Australian Volunteers International (AVI) assigned Ms Belinda Delaney and made her services available to Reach-A-Cross.
Students Chosen For Bursaries
In 2018 and 2019 the Trust changed direction and elected to join the bursary programme, supporting three learners selected by the Headmaster and staff of Southern Cross Schools for their dire financial needs and their potential to succeed. In October 2019 Kgathy Mathile, one of our bursars, participated in a Rotary Exchange program where he was asked to make a speech on the two South Africans who impressed him the most. After delivering his speech “Why I admire Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk” he received the Best Speaker Award. Leonie Wiltshire was consistently in the top 5 of her 2019 class. At the end of 2019 Faith Khosa matriculated in the Independent Examination Board examinations and was accepted at Rhodes University where she is now studying Psychology.
Continued Support Throughout Lockdown
In 2020 we continued to support Kgathy and Leonie who are now in Grade 12, their final year. The Trustees receive regular term reports and our bursars are doing well in their studies albeit under challenging remote teaching lockdown rules for most of this year.
In 2021 the Trust, in partnership with Eco School Klaserie and Southern Cross School itself, will support five children with leadership and in the case of two children, with boarding fees.
Our Current Bursary Winners
Meet our brilliant bursary winners at Southern Cross Schools, Hoedspruit. At The Balule Outreach Trust we believe in empowering the youth with equal opportunity for a quality education. We have collaborated together with Eco Schools Klaserie to co-sponsor bursaries to all of these students.
Bursarie Winners from left to right
- Emmanuel Theko
- Perseverance Mashaba
- Vusi Chiloane
- Appreciate Magabe
- Lesiba Legodi
Artwork Donated By Student
This pencil sketch of South Africa’s famous Big 5 was drawn by Leonie Wiltdhire, who was a bursary student and matriculated in 2020. Leonie presented the art piece to The Balule Outreach Trust as a gesture of thanks for sponsoring her bursary.
A Message from the Headmaster, Mickey Viegas
“Southern Cross Schools in partnership with The Balule Outreach Trust makes a tangible difference to young people in Limpopo, South Africa. The opportunity for an education of quality cannot be underestimated, in particular for those who would not ordinarily have the means to access such. The extraordinary generosity Southern Cross Schools beneficiaries receive from The Balule Outreach Trust, coupled with the personal hands-on involvement John Anderson extends to each of the sponsored learners, makes for a meaningful relationship that ensures a successful outcome for all parties. It is not often that one is in the significant position of having a direct influence on the lives of our future leaders, and this incredible partnership has certainly had a profound impact on all those involved! Southern Cross Schools and their very fortunate learners, thank The Balule Outreach Trust for affording them the opportunity of a lifetime.“