DPS are delighted to support the Za Foundation, to assist them in the work they do to support the needs of children and young people in the rural communities of the Nkomazi region of South Africa. The area has one of the highest rates of HIV in the world and over 12,000 orphans and vulnerable children.

Za works in partnership with communities in South Africa and the United Kingdom to provide support, educational opportunities and resources. Za works with North Somerset Council to link 34 schools in North Somerset and Nkomazi.

In addition Za bring the Zakhele group (http://www.zafoundation.org/page/zakhele-on-tour.aspx) from South Africa to tour schools in North Somerset, performing drama and music and working with students in creative workshops. The Zakhele Group consists of 14 young people and 2 adult mentors who use drama music and song to teach other young people about HIV/ AIDs, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, etc. These issues affect young people the world over and open up discussion about young people’s lives in the UK and South Africa. In their previous tour in 2009, the Zakhele group visited 13 schools in North Somerset and interacted with over 3500 young people.

DPS has donated to Za to allow them to fund a monthly newsletter that will be provided to all the schools that are linked under the project. This will enable them to share what they are doing and discuss many joint projects they undertake to learn about each other’s cultures and issues.  

www.zafoundation.org