Christel House South Africa is a non-profit school in Ottery, Cape Town. It provides free, top-quality education to over 750 children from under-resourced communities on the Cape Flats.

In this environment, gang warfare, abject poverty, violence and other social hazards are a way of life, says the organisation. Through improved access to high-quality early education, Christel House South Africa adds that learners have the chance to dream of a brighter future.

As part of its support for Christel House South Africa, MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet and Builders' Warehouse funded three state-of-the-art education spaces worth R1 720 000 in 2021. This gave each year's group of 60 four-to-five-year-old children access to high-quality early education. The aim was to make quality early learning accessible to even more children.

As part of the campaign, a group of Christel House South Africa learners from grade one and two got to spend the day in front of the camera and experience the thrill of helping MySchool do more good in more people's lives.

Elizabeth Galant, the grandmother of grade two learner Khululiwe Galant, says she is grateful for the opportunity for Khululiwe because she wants her to be whatever she wants to be.

Luphawo Peter's mom Nompumulelo says that when Luphawo went to school for the first day, she was very excited to see her in her uniform for the first time.

"It was a very joyful day for both of us and we were both very excited. It's good for her to get a good education at a good school because it will open up more opportunities for her in the future," Nompumulelo says.

"Our work is all about making a genuine difference and it's great to be able to show the faces of some of our beneficiaries, so people understand the impact their swipes have in the real world," says Pieter Twine, MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet's general manager.

"The joy and excitement the Christel House South Africa children have in the videos reflects their excitement for being at school — one we're proud to have helped develop as we continue to make a difference in the lives of millions across South Africa," adds Twine.

The organisation concludes that each time a MySchool card is swiped in a partner's store, that partner donates a percentage of the customer's spend to their chosen cause.

Individuals are encouraged to sign up for a MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card online or via the app (on Google Play or the Apple App Store), where they can also link their Woolworths card to give back — at no charge — with every swipe.

For more information, visit www.myschool.co.za. You can also follow MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.