Khula Development Group, a beneficiary of the Val de Vie Foundation, promotes school attendance among vulnerable learners who are at risk of dropping out of the education system. Their mission is to foster a positive learning culture and to emphasise the importance of education and regular attendance for children at risk of disengagement, through school-, home-, and community-based preventative and restorative initiatives. Through patience and care, they help children return to school and thrive within the education system, as demonstrated by the story of a recent female learner.
At the beginning of the year, one of Khula’s learners did not attend school at all during the entire first term. Her empty chair spoke volumes, telling a story of hardship and struggle that prevented her from accessing the education she so desperately needed and deserved. This absence raised serious concerns among the Khula team about her safety and the significant gap in foundational learning she was missing, which could influence not only her immediate progress but also the trajectory of the rest of her life.
Her return in Term 2, though brief and inconsistent at first, showed small but promising signs of change. Recognising the challenges she faced, the Khula team stayed close, offering gentle encouragement, consistent care and regular follow-up to help her return to school fully. Each day she attended became a meaningful victory, a small but powerful step forward. Over time, her teachers started to see a deeper change within her: increased engagement and renewed effort in her schoolwork, which was especially encouraging given her difficult circumstances.
Thanks to the support of the Khula team, they were able to provide the resources and care she needed to help her rediscover her sense of self-worth and potential. Her story acts as a powerful reminder that behind every success is a child who simply needed someone to believe in them, to walk alongside them through the challenges, and to offer unwavering hope when it is needed most.
