By David Geldart
After a three-year hiatus due to Covid 19 restrictions, 2023 has proven to be a year of volunteering in South Africa for the Bambisanani Association.
41 academics and 11 staff members from St. Mary’s School, Menston, the University of Leeds, Leeds Trinity University and Newcastle College spent over 3 months in South Africa delivering existing Bambisanani programmes to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership. of the most disadvantaged and difficult regions of the country.
Over the course of 4 separate coordinated visits, volunteers worked with 3,631 South African academics from 33 other schools, 17 of which were new partner institutions. 3,151 primary and secondary school academics participated in gaming festivals and educational activities and 1,135 young people experienced Bambisanani’s leadership through play programs.
David Geldart, executive director and founder of the association, said, “I still don’t have any praise for the remarkable scholars and staff of St. John’s Mission. John’s. Mary’s, Menston, the University of Leeds, Leeds Trinity University and Newcastle College for their remarkable paintings, not only for reintroducing volunteer student visits to South Africa post-Covid, but also for making such a huge impact in doing so. Our work attaches great importance to creating educational opportunities for young people in both European and African countries. “paints in combination and be informed in combination” in the spirit of Ubuntu.
The 4 establishments worked incredibly hard with affected local communities to identify what was needed on the ground, then worked tirelessly in partnership to expand existing systems and even introduce new ones.
These are 4 establishments capable of “living their values” in terms of global learning.
They create exceptionally difficult learning opportunities for young people in both countries.
This painting is easy.
Despite the many demanding situations and hard work involved, they are committed to a “real education” that allows young people to have a broader view of the world and their position in it. By any measure, this is a phenomenal education that is helping to make the global a greater position.
Many thanks to our glorious team in South Africa and the UK for doing everything imaginable and making a difference.
The association’s work has been highlighted at meetings around the world, most recently at the Sport for All Global Summit held at the Vatican and at the International Olympic Academy in Ancient Olympia.
The Bambisanani Association has been named the International Sport and Physical Education Charity of the Year 2023.
Steuart has given some 500 lectures on South Africa’s progress since 1994 and South Africa’s future.