International investor Analjit Singh (known as BAS) and chairman of the Leeu Collection has pledged a donation towards The Kusasa Project, hereby transforming the education landscape in Franschhoek.
The Kusasa Project is a Winelands charity founded in South Africa to encourage a brighter future for underprivileged children by facilitating academic, sporting and life skills development.
Top image caption: Analjit Singh, Margot Janse & Doug Gurr
The Kusasa Project provides a variety of programmes and activities and has developed over the years whereby they now have their own school delivering the highest level of education to Foundation Phase children from the surrounding areas. They impact the disadvantaged children of the region by delivering programs via volunteers and small teams, plus have a significant Bursary Scholarship supporting over 50 children in higher education and tertiary studies. “We give assistance to schools and the children and through education believe this will have a meaningful impact on their futures,” explains Doug Gurr, Co-Founder & Trustee of The Kusasa Project.
“We are extremely fortunate and would like to thank Mr Singh and Leeu Collection. This donation will allow The Kusasa Project to grow The Early Learning Centre to cover the full foundation Phase of education from Grade 1 to Grade 3, the most critical time in a child’s early development. With this financial contribution, the number of children who will receive top level teaching will rise from 98 to 120.”
For BAS, education is an investment and in the current economic climate, a valuable currency by which nations maintain economic competitiveness and global prosperity.
“At Leeu Collection, we strongly support community and social development in Franschhoek. Learning more about the outstanding work people are doing for the children in the Franschhoek valley with The Kusasa Project inspired me,” said Singh. “Providing the less fortunate a high level of education will indeed have a positive impact on their personal, family and community’s future. It is also the key to creating a sustainable planet and to foster peace.
“In the words of the well-loved late Madiba, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’.”
BAS has furthermore committed to contribute to any shortfall towards the monthly cost of the Isabelo feeding scheme, an initiative started by Margot Janse, executive chef at Le Quartier Français in 2009, in order to continue feeding the 1 300 children it feeds daily in the Franschhoek valley.
“Our sponsorships and charitable focus is within our immediate area of influence and we continue to drive awareness and raise funds for our own local nominated charities such as the Isabelo Feeding Scheme and The Kusasa Project.”
