2011 was a roller coaster of a year with the Foundation ensuring that all students were enrolled in schools and progressing positively.  We thank our community of supporters for their continued love. In January 2011 Agape was closed and all children removed. For the next few months, RISE kept in touch with schools, located learners and ensured, to the best of our ability, that children were in safe homes and continuing their education. We currently support 36 learners through the We Are Together Education Programme.

Overall and most importantly, the learners RISE supports finished the year well and enjoyed a well-earned break. We joined the social networks and started a facebook page. Please keep up with us, "Like" us and share your memories of Agape on our page here.

In the fall, RISE came in second place in the Education category of the Orange RockCorps You Decide competition. We would like to thank everyone who voted for RISE.

All existing students have returned to Hillcrest, Forest View and Wyebank. There have been a few students who have moved from Gillitts to New Germany and the school has welcomed them. Word from Makaphuto home is that the Bhengu and Mkhize children and Sinegugu are all doing well. 

Slindile gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, named Minehle. Both she and the baby are doing well. Sli is returning to Elangeni this month to complete her Master Cookery course. 

Sbonelo completed the first step to becoming a paramedic and is well on his way to getting his license. We will keep you updated on his progress.

Both Nqobile and Sphiwe are living at Lake Haven Children’s Home. RISE continues to work with Makaphuto Home to find space for them there through the State Department of Welfare and Social Development so they can return to Forest View and Hillcrest. We are in contact with the good folks at Lake Haven and are still searching for future opportunities for them. If you live in or around Sea Cow, or know contacts in the area that might help, please contact us at info@risefoundation.org.

Sinegugu spent the holidays with a family who welcomed her into their home with open arms. Coincidentally, they have the same surname! 

Zodwa has returned to Hillcrest and is doing well. Her last report card from 2011 boasts, "Zodwa's keenenss to study has helped her achieve this pleasing effort." Fantastic news, Zodwa!

Zakhele has excelled in Technology and Life Orientation. She has been promoted to the 9th grade. 

Mbali has progressed to the 3rd grade and her favorite activity is choir.

Thando and Lungile are doing well and have progressed to the 7th grade at Forest View.

Bluff Christian Academy welcomes Andiswe and Aphiwe to grade R. 

Olwethu has settled in nicely at Wilderness which has a small class environment, which suits her academic level. The director says that she continues to do great. She has been given uniforms from very generous parents there. While tuition there is considerably high, we are currently searching for grants to help supplement her education costs. If you would like to help, please contact us at info@risefoundation.org. 

Aphiwe is at Inkazmulo Primary, repeating grade 1. She came to Makaphuto half way through the 2011 academic year with little academic foundation. The school seems to be a good fit for her.

Lastly, we would like to wish a Happy Birthday Thembelani!!! who turned 12 on 21 January. 

The Rise Foundation is nominated for public vote by Orange RockCorps 'You Decide' as part of the Orange RockCorps Collective. For more information check out the Collective here. 

The organisation with the highest votes wins two BlackBerry smartphones and assistance with a bespoke Orange RockCorps event. If you've ever attended an ORC jam, you know how special it can be. 

These resources and publicity will no doubt raise our profile and help the We Are Together Education Programme, which supports excellent education for children from the Agape. 

RISE is up for vote from for the next two weeks. Rally your team, friends, colleagues and service users to support!

Vote Here!

Check out Orange RockCorps on Facebook.

Hillcrest High School - 

Zakhele is receiving all A's and B's and progressing well. His teacher wrote on his report card that he has "worked steadily this term." 

Zodwa "works sincerely and is keen to learn." She is also getting A's and B's 

Lungelo, despite needing help in Maths, is coming along well in Language, Literacy & Communications as well as Economics & Management Studies and Arts & Culture.

Forest View High School - 

Lungile is doing well in Afrikaans, Zulu, Maths, Computers and Music. Her report card says that she has wonderful manners and self-confidence and her attitude towards her peers is good. 

Mbali is reportedly very tidy and polite in the classroom. She does good schoolwork and is a great listener. Her behavior in class and reading and Maths skills are improving steadily. 

Here are some more photos from Makaphuto Home. Thanks to Nic Addison for the photographs!

Mbali and Aphiwe

Entrepreneur Day

Amanda and Thando

Learners at Makaphuto

Aphiwe and Olwethu singing

Cricket at Makaphuto

Thando singing with the Forest View Choir

Dancing at Makaphuto

Dancing at Makaphuto

Zakhele and Olwethu 

Here are some photos from Nic at Makaphuto of Sinegugu's birthday.

Please find us on facebook too!

We are excited to announce that Sinegugu is now living at Makaphuto Home and has been re-admitted to Forest View School, where she was attending last year. It has been a tremendously active year for the children of Agape and we are so excited that Makaphuto has welcomed Sinegugu AND that Forest View has been able to welcome her back. 

Zakhele, Olwethu and Aphiwe are presently living at Makaphuto Home. They all arrived in April and are doing well. Zakhele is at Hillcrest in the 8th grade. He just finished football season and is about to try cricket for the first time. Wish him luck!  Olwethu is attending Wilderness Training Programme and doing well in this smaller environment. There are only 9 students and it is situated in a beautiful garden not far from Makaphuto. We are currently looking for a sponsor for Olwethu. If you would like to help, please get in touch with our office andcheck out our sponsorship page here  http://risefoundation.org/we-are-together/take-action/sponsor-a-child/

Nqobile and Sphiwe have been moved to Lake Haven Children's Home. The Foundation tried for many months to find a home for them at Makaphuto Home. However the Department of Welfare and Social Development has decreed that they are to live at Lake Haven. We are grateful Ocean View Home for helping us ensure that Nqobile and Sphiwe are safe and doing well. 

Slindile has given birth to a beautiful daughter, Minehle. She will return to Elangeni in January to complete her course in Master Cookery. 

Mbali won all of her racing events at Athletics Day at Forest View. 

Sphelele and Nompunelo are attending Celubuhle Primary. Their teachers say that Sphelele is doing very well in Zulu, Science and  Art & Culture.

Mthobisi and Thembalani are at Dirkies Uys. Mthobisi has improved in every subject, but needs a little help with maths. His teachers are keeping track of his progress. Thembalani improved in every subject accept life orientations.

Snethemba, a 9th grader at Interfellowship, is doing well and improving in every area accept maths, where there is room for improvement. 

Thobile is at Gillitts Primary and is really progressing, according to her teacher, Ms. Rugburchial. We are extremely proud of her. 

Andiswa (Gillitts Primary)  has been reported to be a slow learner, yet talkative and energetic in class. 

Sbonelo has completed his first aid course through Netcare and is poised to begin his paramedic training. 

We currently fund a bus driver and petrol to shuttle the learners to school. Since Agape was closed, transportation has been an issue to be sorted for the children still under our support. While many are getting to school on their own, we have a total of 18 that are being transported by bus. 

We Are Together will be shown at the I Will Tell Film Festival in London. 

Celebrating 5 years of story-telling through film and discussion, this year's theme is Forgiveness. I Will Tell is a conversation that started 5 years ago between festival director, Jenny Lee and an inspirational young woman called Anel on the plains of Thoera in Mozambique. You can check out their blog for updates or see the roster of films here.

There are several activities for the public including an animation workshop and a forum with filmmakers such as Tim Reid, Jane Stephenson and Camille Abrahams. 

For more information about the festival click here. 

http://www.iwilltell.com/

Join us in congratulating Sbonelo Ntuli for completing his First Aid training with Netcare in South Africa. Next up - Paramedics training starting in August. Good luck Sbonelo!

Recently some students from Forest View, including the wonderful Lungile, took a trip to Treasure Beach. Check out some photos of their trip below.