Hi everyone,

The last few months have been an exciting time for the Scholarship Fund as we continue to receive generous support from so many sources and witness amazing growth in the boys whom the Fund sponsors.

We have continued to be blessed with significant contributions and support since our last newsletter in January and the opportunity to be a part of this Scholarship Fund is truly inspiring.

As we begin interviews for candidates for the 2010 scholarship, we do so with a healthy bank balance and the aim of offering at least another five scholarships in 2010.

Due to the ever increasing size of the Fund, the past months have seen some significant changes in the way it is managed. In particular, I have decided to dedicate the next three months to focus on the Fund and perform volunteer work at Jeppe as detailed below. We believe that these changes are necessary if we are to be able to grow the Fund in an optimal manner whilst providing the boys with as much support and infrastructure to succeed as possible.

Thank you for your continued support and we hope you are able to take the time to read and enjoy this update and the positive news it conveys!!

Kind regards,

Dale and Craig

Update on the Boys

We have now finalized the scholarships of an additional two boys since my last newsletter in January:

• Jeppe Quondam Athletics Section have committed to sponsoring Michael Mqolo for the duration of his high school education. Michael, in grade 9, is an orphan who has been in care since the age of one and who currently lives at Kids Haven Children’s Home.
• Toga Laboratories have undertaken the sponsorship of Bruce Nkosi (Grade 10), an orphan being raised by an aunt in Soweto. Bruce is a tremendously talented cricket player who desperately needs an environment such as Jeppe to develop his talents.

Both the above boys are perfect candidates for the Scholarship Fund and are already making their mark at Jeppe.

In addition to the above boys, the other 11 scholarship recipients are also progressing extremely well. Please click here to read the regular updates and letters from the boys thanking you for your contributions and bring you up to speed on how they are doing.

For those of you looking for inspiration for the future of this country, I encourage you to click here and read the letter from Donald Mokoena on being positive, why it is important to vote and making a difference. For a 14 year old, I find it truly inspirational.

2010 Scholarships

We begin the selection and interview process for 2010 applicants within the next few weeks and, depending on the generosity of companies and individuals and consequent available funds, are hoping to offer at least a further five scholarships (and possibly as many as ten).

This will bring the total recipients to around 20 boys and is an amazing achievement when one considers that just three years ago, our aim was to have a total of five scholarships.

Many of you have asked how we source scholarship recipients particularly as our boys are not your “typical” scholarship recipients. Although the boys are bought to our attention come from a variety of different sources, the typical avenues are as follows:

• We are now in contact with a number of orphanages in Gauteng who are aware of the existence, and criteria, of the Theo Jackson Scholarship Fund
• Individuals, their parents or friends are also able to apply online via the website by going to the Application section.
• The Headmasters of local primary schools and those that traditionally feed scholars into Jeppe are by now all aware of the existence of the Theo Jackson Scholarship Fund and submit applicants accordingly
• We are in contact with other scholarship programmes such as the SSP programme so that applicants who do not meet their criteria, but meet that of the Theo Jackson Scholarship Fund, can be referred to us.

Interviews take place between May and July of each year with the twin criteria of disadvantaged financial and family circumstance getting the boys “through the door” (of the 13 boys in the programme, only two are being raised by their mothers and none can afford school and boarding fees). However, the defining criteria for obtaining the scholarship is the character, heart, leadership and personality of the boy and that despite being dealt a tough hand in life, they are continuing to succeed against all odds.

The motto of the fund is to “Give a Boy a Chance” and we are aiming to attract those boys who appear, at first glance, unremarkable but who have special talents and abilities should someone simply believe in them and give them an opportunity to succeed.

To read more about the philosophy behind the Fund, click here.

Management and Administrative changes at the Fund

As the Fund continues to grow, we have recognized the importance of, and need for, some administrative changes if we are to be able to offer the boys as much chance of success as possible.

The Fund is growing far beyond our initial expectations and whilst this means we are able to offer scholarships to more needy and deserving boys, it has also resulted in a far greater time and energy commitment than initially envisaged.

Accordingly, I will be spending the months of April, May and June doing fulltime volunteer work at Jeppe wherein one of my primary focuses will be the setting up of various structures and processes around the Scholarship Fund, all of which will be vital when we have in excess of 20 boys in 2010 and beyond.

Some of the developments and areas that I will be working on in this period are:

• Setting up structures and resources to manage the various portfolios at the Fund. These include:
  
  • A resource present at the school on a fulltime basis to assist with any queries boys or sponsors may have
  • A communications resource to provide regular and updated communication to donors and to ensure the website is up to date and relevant
  • A back office accounting resource to keep on top of financial matters, assist with donations tax certificates, etc.

Funding of the above will initially be covered by myself (and the Jeppe Association headed by Rob Katzen) in line with keeping our commitment that donor funds are not spent on administration.

• Meeting regularly with the boys and their guardians to ensure they understand their commitments and responsibilities.
• Arranging meetings with potential donors and other stakeholders to spread the message and expand the reach of the Fund.
• Putting logistical procedures in place such as:
  • Each boy now has the opportunity to visit a specialist child psychologist on a regular basis. This service is becoming vital as each of the boys come to terms with some extremely difficult issues from their past.
  • The boys all now have the ability to purchase uniforms and sports clothing and attend extra lessons rather than phoning me on an individual ad hoc basis to arrange the above.
• We are aiming to begin a mentorship system whereby each recipient is assigned an adult to guide and assist them in their development and act as a support base. This is a vital role as many of the boys do not have the basic guidance, assistance and support enjoyed by so many children. Should you be interested in being a mentor to any of the boys, please contact me on dale@kaelo.co.za

I am also in the process of arranging regular talks by those working in various industries and professions so that the boys begin getting an idea as to what their future career paths will be and can start working towards these goals. Many of the boys have never been asked the question as to what they would like to do post school and have very little understanding of the options open to them and what these entail.

It is hoped that this time investment during this three month volunteer period will reap rewards in the future and allow the fund continue to expand whilst serving the needs of the boys.

Should anyone wish to donate their time or energy in any way, please contact me on dale@kaelo.co.za

Financial Matters

The Fund is in an extremely healthy financial position with over R700,000 currently in the bank account.

Our initial commitment that 100% of your contributions would be spent on the boys is still being honoured with all administration, time and logistics costs being either donated or covered by Craig and I.

Whilst many people have pointed out that this commitment is becoming impractical as the fund continues to grow, and with it the time and administration required to be spent on it, it is a commitment that I intend to keep for as long as possible. I believe it is one of the unique characteristics of the Theo Jackson Scholarship Fund as compared to other organization and gives all those who donate the surety that every cent finds its way to the boys.

New donations keep coming in with R478,000 being received from sponsors and individual donors since January alone. These have included some extremely generous donations from both individuals and companies and although the sponsors are too numerous to thank individually in this email, your contributions are all greatly appreciated.

To see a list of sponsors, click here – if you have donated and your name is not on that list, please let me know and I will add it immediately.

A recent development has been the addition of a secure on-line credit card donations facility on the website for those people who are overseas or who wish to donate on-line. Should you wish to make use of this facility, please click here.

Lastly, I have recently received a lot of interest from corporates wishing to donate to the Fund as part of their Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives and, in some cases, to assist in improving their BEE rating. The Theo Jackson Scholarship Fund is definitely able to assist in this regard and should anyone wish to explore this matter with me, please contact me on dale@kaelo.co.za or 082-9078666.

Golf Day Feedback

The 3rd Annual Theo Jackson Scholarship Fund Golf Day was held at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club on Tuesday 24th March and was once again a resounding success with a full field and over R70,000 being raised for the Fund.

All 13 boys were present on the day and everyone enjoyed meeting and getting to know the boys and seeing first hand the difference being made in their lives.

On the 20th March the Jeppe Quondam Athletics Section held their golf day for 240 golfers on both courses at Royal with the beneficiary of all funds raised being the Scholarship Fund in general and Michael Mqolo in particular. Not only did this raise a large amount but it also served to create significant awareness amongst the over 200 people present on the day.

Our next fundraising event will be the Spinathon in October. This was a fantastic success last year and should be another great event.