How life has changed for the children at Mdutshini Primary School
Mdutshini School is in Elandskop community in South Africa. Families live in extreme poverty with no opportunity to work, a lack of education for parents and caregivers, and many children orphaned by the HIV pandemic. Elderly grandmothers are often looking after numerous orphaned grandchildren.
When E3 started Back to School there in 2015, orphaned and vulnerable children either didn’t attend school at all or wore tattered clothes and no shoes. When at school, the children were hungry and struggled to concentrate and many didn’t attend regularly. The school struggled with so many children needing practical, emotional and spiritual support because of the trauma they had suffered from poverty, losing their parents to AIDS-related illnesses and the challenges of family life.
Thanks to your support, the story is so different now…
E3 supports 150 children with new school uniform and shoes each year.
“Now I am like all the other children at school. They used to laugh at me for wearing old clothes.” Amile
“The uniforms encourage us to do well at school.” Sithembile
“We are so grateful for your support. Children are no longer absenting themselves from school due to poverty and they have a positive attitude. The children love the Life Skills sessions led by E3 staff. They are growing in confidence and focusing more on their schoolwork thanks to the teaching. Our school enrolment is increasing every year and when you ask parents the reason for enrolling their children in our school they say that it is because of the good education we provide and the free school uniform from E3.”
— Mr G.N. Myende, Headteacher
E3 funded a kitchen in 2016 and a school meal means children concentrate well, and grandmothers have one less worry because children have a good meal each day.
The girls’ support group gives a safe space for girls to share about the challenges they face, and they receive sanitary pads so they can attend school every day in comfort and with confidence.
At playtime, children have a fun and safe wooden jungle gym to enjoy with friends.
Next steps…
With all the school-aged children receiving the support they need, E3 has now funded a preschool so that orphaned and vulnerable preschoolers have a safe and nurturing place to start their learning journey and thrive.
“The whole traditional rural area is shaken and short of words to say thank you E3 for the funding to help build the preschool.” Deputy Chief, Mr P.Z. Phewa, on behalf of 10 traditional areas under his leadership.
In 2025, E3 also funded a computer school so that children and young people can learn the skills they need to research and apply to university and find employment.
Thanks to your support, the children and their families at Mdutshini have joy and hope that they can succeed at school and escape the cycle of poverty through education. The support shows them that someone cares about their situation and gives them hope and a future.
How you can help
A gift of just £7 / $10 / R100 a month can support one child in South Africa to attend school and complete their education.
You can set up a regular donation to Back to School or give a one-off donation
