Education
Sponsor A Child
The Sponsor A Child project provides Student Supplementary Funding that assists school-going Children in South Africa who come from Low/ No Income homes. The project supports financially challenged students to secure their basic Scholastic essentials in effort to keep them in school and mitigate the risk of learners dropping out.
Research reveals that in 2010, 1.1 million pupils in South Africa enrolled for grade 1. Of these 1.1 million first school entries, only 755 981 enrolled for their National Senior Certificate in 2022. Education has issues such as infrastructure, access, continuity, learning gaps, Lack of schools/teachers and so on. School Dropouts are a result of these issues.
The Sponsor A Child project is meant for school students from Grade 1 to Grade 12 who are unable to bear the cost of education due to personal/family crisis or any other financial problems and are at a risk of dropping out of school. Sponsor a Child provides financial assistance to the underprivileged students to complete their school education. Students can register and apply for financial assistance. Philanthropists, donors and the dedicated Sewa International SA Team select the children to be supported.
School Kit Distribution 2025:
This year for our item distribution drive under SAC, we distributed 80+ School kits consisting of bags, cereal packs, shoes, blankets and stationary items. We also could help 750+ students through the EmpowerSoles initiative under SAC where we provide school shoes to those who are in need.
Through this initiative, we aimed to:
– Enhance access to education for underprivileged students.
– Improve students’ well-being by meeting their basic needs.
– Promote community involvement and social responsibility.
This drive helped them return to their routine as schools reopened.
The SAC Program focuses on the following key areas:
- Nutrition: Providing food hampers to improve attendance and focus during class.
- Uniforms & Stationery: Ensuring students have proper school attire and supplies.
- Attendance & Behaviour: Tracking students’ attendance and any noticeable behavioural changes.
- Academic Performance: Monitoring student progress before and after receiving aid.
Transforming Lives Through SAC: Key Achievements of SAC 2025
Sewa International SA’s initiatives continue to create a lasting impact on young learners:
✅ Academic Progress – Improved performance, with students gaining focus and motivation through nutritional and educational support.
✅ Better Attendance – Addressing food insecurity and uniform challenges has led to more consistent school attendance.
✅ Emotional Well-being – Support beyond academics fosters resilience, with students showing renewed enthusiasm for learning.
✅ Holistic Development – Encouraging service-minded values, inspiring students to give back to their communities.
✅ Positive Educator Feedback – Teachers report increased engagement, punctuality, and enthusiasm among beneficiaries.
EmpowerSoles
EmpowerSoles is dedicated to addressing the fundamental needs of school-going children in South Africa. With 60% of registered learners walking to school daily, many face the challenge of walking barefoot or in ill-fitting shoes, exposing them to health risks and hindering regular attendance.
Sewa International South Africa recognized this critical need and launched EmpowerSoles to ensure no child is left behind due to a lack of proper footwear. Our vision extends beyond immediate relief, aiming to enhance children’s well-being, encourage school attendance, and support child education in South Africa.
By providing school shoes, EmpowerSoles creates a lasting positive impact on children’s lives and education.
SHE Program
SHE Project (Skills • Hygiene • Empowerment)
The SHE Project by Sewa International South Africa is a transformative initiative dedicated to empowering girls/women from vulnerable communities through skills training, hygiene education, and personal empowerment. The program aims to equip young girls with essential vocational and digital skills, promote menstrual and personal hygiene awareness, and foster leadership, confidence, and self-reliance. By addressing both social and cultural barriers, the SHE Project strives to ensure dignity, opportunity, and a stronger voice for every girl and woman, helping them build a healthier and more empowered future.
Sewa Setu – National Sewa Conference:
Held on the 12th and 13th of July 2025 in Durban, the Sewa Setu National Conference marked a historic moment for South Africa, the first time in 165 years that 57 Hindu faith-based organisations from across the nation united on one platform. Organised and hosted by Sewa International South Africa, the conference celebrated the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: “The world is one family”, beautifully resonating with the African principle of Ubuntu, both echoing the spirit of collective humanity and service. Over 400 delegates and 40 speakers, including spiritual leaders, scholars, youth leaders, and government representatives, came together to showcase and document the scale of Hindu community service in South Africa, from food security and education to healthcare, animal welfare, and disaster response.
The conference was not only a celebration but a call to collective action. Key resolutions were adopted to enhance collaboration, governance, and data-driven accountability through the launch of the Sewa Connect digital platform, a pioneering initiative to measure and amplify sewa impact across the nation. The event’s success created ripples throughout South Africa, inspiring unity among Hindu organisations and reaffirming that selfless service can be institutionalised, celebrated, and shared proudly as a contribution to nation-building. Sewa Setu 2025 stands as a transformative milestone; a renewed movement of compassion, collaboration, and dharmic service for generations to come.