Description
Every summer since 2012, University of San Diego students and faculty have been traveling to the village of Makuleke in South Africa to work with a group of ambitious teenagers. We were introduced to this village through the nonprofit Sharing to Learn, which builds libraries and provides crucial educational programs. We collaborate with Sharing to Learn and the village on a Youth Leadership Workshop fostering civic engagement and leadership skills as well cross-cultural exchanges with USD students. Our USD students return from these trips energized about global citizenship and inspired by the friendships they have made with village teenagers. They also learn that college is a dream for most of Makuleke village. Families cannot afford college tuition, even for the brightest young people. We are committed to the youth in this village. They have stolen our hearts and we ask for your support to see them through to a brighter future through the empowerment of a college education. Your donation is 100% tax deductible.
Donations are applied to...
• College scholarships for Makuleke youth –this includes tuition, room and board, books, and application fees.
• Salaries and stipends for local Makuleke villagers to work as co-directors and community liaisons for the Youth Leadership Workshop.
• Materials and supplies for future Youth Leadership Workshops.
Personal Message
The village of Makuleke is a very special place. For those who have visited, it has led to meaningful friendships and an appreciation of the power that young people can have to change their community. Our relationship with our friends in Makuleke is based on mutual respect and the belief that cross-cultural educational exchanges lead to mutually transformative experiences for everyone involved. We have collaborated with Sharing to Learn and the Equalizers over the last six years on deepening our relationship with the community. With your support, we can support these experiences as well as the education dreams of the youth in South Africa who struggle each day for an equal education. Make a donation today but visit Makuleke with us next year! You will not regret it!
Why are donations necessary?
Your 100% tax deductible donations will enable USD to continue to offer Youth Leadership Workshops for both the youth in Makuleke and USD students who participate side-by-side. Over forty USD students and hundreds of Makuleke teens have participated in these workshops since 2012.
The donations will also provide scholarships for Makuleke youth to attend college after graduating from high school. While less than 1% of the community of Makuleke village have a college degree, the goal of the scholarship program is to provide for more opportunities and to increase the number of youth that can attend and graduate from college.