School construction, health, and environment

Orange Farm, South Africa

Project in numbers

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Project Summary

Although South Africa is socially and economically one of the most developed countries on the African continent, 34% of the population still lives in poverty with more than 10% living on less than $1.00 a day (Human Development Report, 2006). South Africa has one of the highest income inequality levels in the world. Huge slums surround all of the major towns, in which many families live in cardboard houses surrounded by dirt, mud and sewage.

In 1994, the South African government initiated an action plan in order to combat poverty. AMURT was allocated the education sector. The authorities provided AMURT with land and water for construction, and we built 12 primary schools for over 1,000 children. The Education Minister of South Africa participated in the inauguration ceremonies of these schools.

Later, we constructed a health centre in the immediate vicinity of the schools.Everyday, the medical team provide care for 100 out-patients and distributes medicines to people who could otherwise not afford them. The South African Health Minister attended the inauguration of the health centre.

Finally, AMURT planted over 1,000 trees around the schools. The tree nurseries provide a better, greener landscape while also improving the air quality and surrounding environment. The Minister for Environment of South Africa came to the inauguration ceremony of the nursery.