PROGRAM STRUCTURE
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Our tutoring program takes place during weekday afternoons and Saturday mornings at Pholosho Secondary School in Alexandra.
Up to 15 volunteers are transported from the University of the Witwatersrand main campus to our site to work with our learners on English and mathematics topics that they are studying in school.
Our first-hand research on education in Alexandra schools led us to focus on English (reading comprehension, writing), mathematics (arithmetic in particular), and, for grade 12 students, preparation for their matriculation exams.
During the school holidays, we offer a supplementary academic program that additionally incorporates personal development workshops.
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
Photo by Alice Lee.
Many of our learners spend their leisure time playing basketball at the No. 3 Square courts in Alexandra as part of the Alexandra Basketball Academy, a partner of ours since the creation of the ASSIST. We believe athletics and academics can go hand in hand in teaching the importance of teamwork and developing basic traits such as perseverance and discipline.
We have also incorporated education about physical fitness into our daily tutoring curriculum through exercise study breaks. Given the lack of access to nutritious food in the township, a healthy snack is offered at each session as well.
PERSONAL MENTORSHIP
We have joined with the Model C Foundation, a non-profit organisation whose primary focus is fostering the personal development and growth of high school youth in townships through mentorship. Model C assigns to our students accomplished mentors from various walks of professional life for monthly one-on-one meetings in order to lay the foundation for positive esteem-building, career planning, and goal-setting.
PARTNERS
In addition to the Model C Foundation (mentioned above), we are also partners with the University of Witwatersrand's Wits Citizenship and Community Outreach office, which helps connect us with knowledgeable tutors who volunteer their time providing individual academic assistance to the learners. We ask for a once-a-week commitment.
Other partners include a local tutoring centre, Master Maths, for access to educational resources tailored towards test preparation.
WHAT WE'VE ACHIEVED
Over 50 learners attending five schools in Alexandra have received hundreds of hours of academic support.
Nhlanhla currently attends the prestigious SSB High School on an academic and sports scholarship.
Koketso has been awarded a yearly R100 000 scholarship for his high school career and has been guaranteed a spot on the Gauteng provincial basketball team until he finishes high school.
Dineo and Primrose, two of our graduated learners, currently attend Varsity College on basketball scholarships.
LEGAL STATUS
The African Sports and Scholastic Initiative for Students in Townships is a registered non-profit organisation (NPO) in terms of the requirements set out in Section 12 of the Non-profit Organisations Act 71 of 1997. Our registration number is 123-530.