Amy Foundation Trust (formerly the Amy Biehl Foundation Trust) is a non-profit organisation working to educate and develop children and youth from challenged and vulnerable communities, keeping them away from the negative influences and turning them into emotionally well-rounded contributing global citizens who make positive life choices. We carry out After School, Vocational Skills and Youth Skills Development including entrepreneurial programmes using the one-stop-shop approach. Participants can enter programmes from primary and secondary schools and continue even after leaving school until they become economically active.
The various projects support over 1000 children and youth in our four after-school centres based in the underprivileged communities of Cape Town, namely Gugulethu, Browns Farm – Philippi and Bonteheuwel, and a centre for youth skills development and training in Sybrand Park, with youth attending from all the various townships.
The after-school programmes attempt to supplement the shortcomings of the educational system in the townships, while the youth skills programme addresses the unacceptably high unemployment levels in these challenged communities.
Evidence shows that regular and consistent participation of learners in the quality After School Programmes (ASP) improve learner education outcomes, reduce school dropout rates, and reduce risk-taking behaviour. Young people in the townships who leave school each day enter unsafe, violent neighbourhoods and homes with no supervision from older people. This exposes children to a high risk of engaging in destructive and anti-social behaviour including abusing alcohol and drugs, engaging in sex, and becoming involved in gangs, which threatens their futures and leaves children trapped in a cycle of poverty. Four out of 10 learners who started school in grade one dropped out before reaching matric.
Cultural Affairs and Sports MEC Anroux Marais says that after-school activities can support socioeconomic, cognitive, and academic behaviour and offer youth at risk a safe space to be after school hours while also fostering a sense of belonging. Youth in areas that are hard hit by social ills such as gangsterism and the drug trade often feel despondent due to their circumstance, youth are enticed into a world of these social ills through the promise of money and status.
The after-school programmes intervene and offer them an alternative and help them believe that they can go on to greater things.The need for Amy Foundation After School Programmes is therefore essential to give these youth a chance to succeed in life.
The Foundation’s Mission is to provide a safe environment in challenged and vulnerable communities where they develop emotionally well-rounded children and youth who make positive life choices and become contributing members of society.
This Youth Day please join the Amy Foundation at their after-school centre, Bongolethu Primary School, Browns Farm, Philippi between 12h00 and 15h00 to be reminded about the resilience of the young people of South Africa and see first-hand the amazing work done in the local community.
The programme will feature a Church Choir medley, Traditional, Gumboot, Khwela, Tswana and tin dance, as well as a short skit about Amy Biehl
The Foundation was named after American student, Amy Biehl, a gifted and dynamic young woman who was committed to making a difference in South Africa. She tirelessly worked with members of the African National Congress (ANC) at the University of the Western Cape’s Community Law Centre on the new Constitution and Women’s Rights, as well as helped register voters for the country’s first free elections in 1994.
On August 25 1993, Amy Biehl’s life was tragically cut short in an act of political mob violence in the Gugulethu township just outside of Cape Town. Four young men were convicted of her murder, and after spending 5 years in prison were granted amnesty through the parents of Amy and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Determined to honour Amy’s love of South Africa and her belief in the truth and reconciliation process, Amy’s parents founded the organisation.
