Waltham Forest Thuso in South Africa (WFTISA), and pupil sponsors, celebrated success at a fundraising garden party on Sunday. In 2009 the school supported by the charity was among those who achieved the best grade 12 (Matriculation) results in South Africa. Nine pupils sponsored through WFTISA were among those who passed the final examination. Joseph Ngwenya won a sponsorship, paying fees and a maintenance grant to study Engineering.
The support they received meant that they did not have to worry about fees and the cost of essential books. The food program WFTISA supports ensured that they were no longer hungry all the time. They could learn. Some of the young people are AIDS orphans others are in destitute families.
WFTISA’s main objective is to assist young people in South Africa to continue attending school and further their education. The Charity believes that for most of those young people education can “make poverty history”.
The new Walthamstow MP, Stella Creasy, and some members of Waltham Forest Council were among the 150 guests who attended. Guests enjoyed a sumptuous lunch donated by the Trustees. Mmapula Small, Chair of WFTISA presented a progress report from the school. Mark Beacon, from Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), gave a short update about the organisation’s campaigns to support health and development initiatives in the region post-apartheid.
The highlight of the afternoon was watching the England vs Germany Football match which was playing in South Africa. The disappointing result was shared, but the guests were cheered by knowing that the money they had helped to raise that afternoon was going to support success.
