The SAME Foundation delivers turnkey solutions through identifying, implementing and controlling SED projects that overcome challenges faced at schools. SAME works closely with stakeholders to ensure there is a real need for the project and expects schools to take full ownership of the project to ensure ongoing sustainability.
Ross Boyd, Londvolota Trustee
The learners are perfectly still, engrossed in the science experiment their educator is performing. Her pipette releases a single drop of blue liquid into the petri dish which slowly seeps into the charcoal-grey granules. For a moment, it looks like the experiment isn’t going to work, and then suddenly, the liquid in the petri dish starts to fizz and the girls in a wave of simultaneous reaction, step back from the counter. Several of the girls gasp while others remain silent, simply showing their surprise by clasping their hand over their mouth. This is science like they had never known before.
“Before when we had science it was all book learnt,” Maria (16) from Lofentse Girls School explains. “The classroom was too small for all of us and we didn’t have the facilities to do experiments and see the science come alive. With our new classroom, we can now see the science happen.”
Lerato (also 16) agrees. “Yes – and it has made the learning far more fun. I want to carry on with science until matric now. And the best part, our marks have improved!”
The refurbishment of the science laboratory at the school was conducted by the SAME Foundation in 2018. As a state-of-the-art centre, the classroom can now comfortably hold up to 60 children and formed part of a whole-school revitalisation project that was funded by Londvolota. The impact of the project has been significant with the overall pass rate and physical science marks both increasing by 9% and the life science marks increasing by 23%.
The investment by Londvolota has taken a different direction to their usual projects, and the impact is powerful. Ross Boyd, trustee from Londvolota explains. “Our investment in SAME was very strategic. The Londvolota board recognizes that development takes many forms, including socio-economic development which is the area in which SAME operates. Londvolota believes that improving educational outcomes is critical to building skills and competencies for South Africa’s future.”
SAME approached Londvolota in 2015 with the intention of building a long-term legacy of impacting the lives of young South Africans through providing them with access to quality education facilities and resources. Being a beneficiary has enabled SAME to deliver several turnkey solutions through identifying, implementing and controlling SED projects that overcome educational challenges faced at schools.
Tyrone Pols, the SAME XXX explains, “Sadly too many schools are faced with over-crowing, ageing and dilapidated infrastructure, insufficient learning resources and support. Our model is simple. As a NPO, we identify well-run schools in poverty-stricken communities that are in dire need of resources, training and infrastructure, and who will be able to utilize any investment effectively. We then seek a donor who will allow us to work quickly to realise a ROI for the school community.”
With over 70 high-impact projects completed since SAME’s inception in 2003, SAME has earned a reputation for reliability and excellence in improving healthcare and educational facilities in poverty-stricken communities.
“What sets SAME apart is that it works so closely with stakeholders, and especially the school, to ensure there is no duplication and a real need for the project,” says Ross. “What we particularly like is that SAME ensures schools must take full ownership of the project and ensure ongoing sustainability. This encourages empowerment at grassroots level.”
This recognition has extended to the highest level with SAME being awarded the Gauteng Premier’s Special Award for Public/Private Partnerships in 2020.
“We are proud of this achievement,” smiles Tyrone. “It is evidence of the impact we are making in communities by changing the lives of individuals through education and healthcare. What more could we wish for?”
The question is left hanging, but for Maria, Lerato and hundreds of other learners the answer is self-evident.
“School is now a place I want to go every day,” Maria says. “I feel like if I study hard, maybe I can change my life, and I can provide for my mom so she doesn’t have to struggle to feed us.”
Lerato smiles in agreement, “Somebody has believed in our community. Believed in us. Now I have hope.”
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