USER STORY

Inspiring, Bag of Hope Project

Esri South Africa recently supported and partnered with the Kusasalethu Group and their ongoing Bag of Hope project. The Kusasalethu Group is a black owned Non-profit Organisation formed in 2016, based in the heart of Khayelitsha Township. Kusasalethu is a Xhosa word that means Our Tomorrow – they exist to Care for Our Tomorrow by uplifting less privileged individuals. Kusasalethu believe in uplifting the future generation in partnership with the community, as well as the corporate and private sectors.

The Bag of Hope project is one that is both close to home and close to their hearts. The children at Vuselela Primary school and Intshayelo Primary school are faced with many life challenges like drugs, gang violence and poverty to name but a few. Often school is the only place where they can escape and focus their minds and energy on something positive. Education is of fundamental importance when it comes to uplifting them to build better lives for themselves, especially at this young age. Kusasalethu noticed that many of these children go to school with their books in carrier bags or even cooler bags. Many do not have a proper bag to carry their books in and use whatever is at their disposal. The fact that they still make the effort to go to school is both encouraging and heart breaking. Their hunger for knowledge, regardless of their circumstances, inspired the Bag of Hope project. Esri South Africa are passionate about education and uplifting our youth and as such sponsored 90 bags towards this project. A special hand-over ceremony was held on Saturday 3rd September at Kenmere Primary School. It was incredibly heart-warming and inspiring for the Esri South Africa team present at the ceremony to see the appreciation in the young students faces.