http://thesozofoundation.org.za/
A year ago a friend invited me to visit an NGO in the heart of Vrygrond in the Western Cape. Vrygrond is sandwiched between Capricorn park ( sort of) and Lavender Hill.
Lavender Hill sounds so beautiful but it is a very sad and broken part of Cape Town as is Vrygrond and the surrounding area of Capricorn.
Vrygrond is the forgotten place.
The small signpost that states its name is easily missed.
No planning was made for schools and the like and yet it is a bustling and flourishing home to many both from throughout Africa and local people. It is a mixture of shackland and brick dwellings.
It is poor and deprived.
On the day we visited SOZO the entrance to Vrygrond was patrolled by police vans , keeping an eye on the residence. There had been protests of one kind or another and tires had been burnt.
Vrygrond is a place of the politically active ( it would seem). There is much to be discontent about here.
We arrived at about 10 in the morning and were met at the gated , new building by the guard on duty.
My friend and I were the only two people on the visit that day and so we received a personalized tour and fantastic explanation.
The story of this NGO began when the need was highlighted.
This need was for the high school children who live in the are.
Vrygrond has has a flourishing nursery school and a great Primary school ( all donated) but there is no highschool for the local kids to flow into.
Sozo grew out of this need. The foundation runs tutoring for high school youngsters from grade 8 to 12. The aim is to build, support and guide these kids through to matric and out the other side.
The foundation opperated out of shipping containers for several years but in Gods grace and provision they have managed to build a fabulous building with lots of space for tutorial rooms and teaching areas as well as offices and counceling rooms.
This foundation is a light shining into the darkness.
I was so inspired and encouraged by their work in that little area. The children who sign up for the course must keep on the course and they have a system that ensures endurance on the part of the student.
These young people have a chance here to see something other; something more of life that is a winess to them. From the relative safety of the beautiful building windows, we gazed out across the poverty that is Vrygrond. Real people with real lives.
Broken but not without hope.
The Sozo Foundation has partnered with Soil for Life and is helping introduce the concepts developed to grow food in small spaces. Outside of the building is a soil for life example and people can come and receive training from the community. Cuttings are swapped and this idea is spreading too.
A separate little building stands all alone. This is the prayer room. Nothing happens here without bringing it before the Lord.
On the way into the building, on a giant wall, a tree like structure has been painted. The invisible tree is made of brick shapes. These are the spaces to write the names of all those who pass matric who have walked through this foundation.
Great expectations from a great foundation.
