Our Scholars

Our journey to creating change starts with our Scholars Programme. Each year we select rural orphans from humble homes who have high potential to become Raise the Children Scholars in Grade 8.

70

Scholars

Our 2024 Scholars come from all 9
South African provinces



15

Partner Schools

Chosen for their belief in challenging students to create a better world

176

Assisted

Since RTC was founded in 2012, it has assisted more than 170 rural orphans.

Our Impact

Hear from our Scholars about the impact of our Scholars Programme.

Our footprint

Raise the Children supports
children from 8 of the 9 South
African provinces. Brown markers
indicate rural communities that our
Scholars come from. Red markers
indicate partner school locations. 

Present
Partner 

Raise the Children (RTC) entrusts its Scholars to a partner school for education and boarding from grade 8–12. Over a five-year period, RTC seeks to place 10 Scholars at a partner schools in cohorts of 2 Scholars in each grade year. Though it’s office is located in Johannesburg, communication and support take places through a jointly appointed Teacher Fellow based at the partner school. The Teacher Fellow acts in a pastoral role and helps to facilitate the online mentoring and tutoring support programmes offered by Raise the Children.

Our Process

We journey with Scholars for life. Through critical selection and robust wrap-around support our Scholars
have the chance to thrive, and gain the skills and knowledge necessary to make change.

identify

Rural education champions and nonprofit organisations identify Grade 7 students that 1) show high academic potential, 2) come from a home with household income below the poverty line, 3) have a deceased parent or parent absent since birth , 4) live in a rural area, and 5) have demonstrated a spirit of altruism and generosity.

 

select

Our selection team phones each applicant to verify their application details and get to know the Scholar and their family better. Finalists are shortlisted, and the team visits each finalist's home. The Scholar finalists then visit the potential partner school. complete a psychometric assessment, and interview with our Founders.

 

support

From Grade 8 onward, our Scholars have access to tutorials, online mentoring, psychological services, and are guided  by a Teacher Fellow at their school. Later, the Scholars receive support applying for tertiary study. Scholars continue to receive mentoring after high school and support entering the world of work.

 

return

After high school, many of our Scholar-graduates choose to be mentors to new Scholars entering the programme. Many of our alumni pursue careers in public service, particularly education.  When working, some alumni also give back financially  to support the next generation of Raise the Children Scholars.

"I won’t forget that you took me from a village and brought me to the city to be educated. For me, to give back to my community I would like to build a library where every one can read freely. My goal is to be a teacher and teach children how to be better people for our generation."

RAISE THE CHILDREN SCHOLAR | GRADE 10 2024