Christmas 2009:

Ten years ago, the first four KMF Scholars were just starting high school.  As we enter our second decade, 70 KMF kids are attending a selection of the best schools in sub-Saharan Africa.  Our scholars have thrown themselves with gusto into the challenges of adolescence – excelling in exams and on the sports field, making friends, getting into and out of trouble, joining societies, singing in choirs, raising money for charity, and learning the value of big dreams.

Donors like you have defied the credit crunch to give us ever greater sums of money.  Thank you.  We take your generosity seriously and do our best to spend your money effectively. 

At the core of the KMF philosophy has always been the value of the individual.  We continue to tailor our financial packages on a family-by-family basis, with annual reviews to allow for changes in circumstance.  In many instances a little KMF help at the right moment has enabled hard-working parents to get on their feet financially, and reduce the level of support they ask for from the foundation in later years.

Our next generation of scholars, who start high school next month, have been working with KMF staff for more than a year.  Over three rounds of interviews and a home visit, 24 promising twelve-year-olds were selected in October 2008 from over 300 applicants.  These children have been attending Enrichment Classes in Maths and English held weekly at the KMF offices and taught by two of the best educators in the Western Cape.  Betty van der Heyden spent nine years in jail for her part in the anti-Apartheid movement and took responsibility for our potential scholars’ English.  Gary Dudley, whose Matric Maths class regularly comes top in the country, did the sums.

Our standards were strict: If you’re late three times, don’t come back.  If you don’t do your homework three times, don’t come back.  If you once fail to attend without a doctor’s or parent’s note, you’re out.  Nelly Tom and I made the rules of the game clear to the kids and their parents in February 2009, and I have been astounded by how these scholars and their families have risen to the challenge.

By May there were 18 left of the 24 who started, and those 18 stayed the course and are the KMF class of 2015.  Each child has demonstrated commitment, enthusiasm, and a willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty.  The photograph I’m sending with this letter was taken in the KMF offices during the party to celebrate the announcement of next years’ scholarships. 

There were lots of happy tears.

For me, one of the most moving experiences of that day was listening to the speeches made by older KMF Scholars, and two alumnae, who gave their time to share their stories with the new ones.  I hadn’t asked any of them to prepare a talk in advance.  Each made a warm and witty and confident speech, entirely impromptu, exhorting the newbies to do their donor reports on time, and remember that ‘people who might never meet you are nevertheless going to a lot of trouble for you, and should be thanked!’ 

They also spoke with real affection of the challenges and thrills of their schooldays, and as I listened to them I saw how right our patron Archbishop Desmond Tutu is: that these young people really are the leaders of tomorrow.

Ziyana Lategan (ex-South Peninsula High School) was there, having turned down a place in the South African Leadership Academy to read Environmental Sciences at the University of Cape Town.  So was her friend Allyson Adams (ex-South Peninsula High School), whose seven distinctions in Matric placed her second in the province.  She’s now studying medicine.  Both were chatting with Lindsay Galvin, who has volunteered to be our full-time fundraiser for six months, and already been instrumental in preparing submissions to major governmental and philanthropic bodies.  She’ll be sorely missed when she returns to the United States, and we’re deeply grateful for her contribution. 

You’ll see in your package a selection of what this year’s graduating class has to say about the Kay Mason Foundation.  Reading their comments made me proud of what your generosity, and the care and passion of the KMF team, has accomplished. 

In other news…

KMF Boarding House 

Thanks to long-time KMF benefactor Mr. Michiel le Roux¸ we have just acquired a well-built, three bedroom house in Khayelitsha which will operate from January 2010 as a boarding house for KMF Scholars.  All our scholars have different needs.  A boarding house will enable us to provide warm beds, regular healthy meals, extra lessons and responsible supervision to kids from households where such things are hard to come by. 

We plan to expand this building’s capacity from 8 kids to 16 in 2010/11, so that we can continue to ensure that talented young people can access an enriching education, whatever their financial circumstances. 

The boarding house will be run by two full-time staff members, and is also three doors down from the home of Operations Director Nelly Tom, who will keep a vigilant eye on proceedings!

KMF School Bus

Michiel le Roux has also enabled us to purchase a brand new, 22-seater VW minibus, which allows us to provide a door-to-door school bus service for scholars who need it most.  All our kids who used to have to take two taxis, a train, and then walk 5km to school every day are tremendously grateful to him.  It makes a real difference if you can set your alarm clock for 6.30 rather than 4.15. a.m.

With all good wishes,

RICHARD MASON