This year, The Kusasa Academy reached an important milestone. For the first time, our Grade 3 and Grade 4 learners attended a school camp, held at SOS School in the Wilds outside Villiersdorp, over the first three days of the new school year.
For many years, experiences like this have been a hope rather than a certainty. Sending our learners beyond the classroom to learn through nature, teamwork, and shared challenge was both a proud moment and a reminder of what is made possible through the support of our donor community.
Our campers took part in a programme focused on team-building and experiential learning. Mixed groups encouraged cooperation and inclusion, while activities built confidence, independence, and problem-solving skills.
Activities included a night march, a guided hiking trail with animal tracking, canoeing, bundu bashing, fire-making, campfire baking, animal feeding, rock climbing and shelter building. The children learnt many outdoor skills and an appreciation of nature and water ecology, in an environment which brought lessons to life in ways no textbook could.
For many children, this was their first time sleeping away from home. While there were afew emotional moments, learners showed resilience and supported one another throughout. They returned with stronger friendships, growing self-confidence, and renewed enthusiasm for learning.
Beginning the year with this experience set a positive tone for what lies ahead. It reinforced the message that Kusasa is a place where children are valued and where meaningful opportunities are created to support their growth.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this experience possible. Your generosity opens doors to opportunities that many of our families could not otherwise access.
If you would like to help us continue creating experiences like this, we warmly invite you to support our programmes in the year ahead. Together, we can ensure that more learners are given the chance to explore, grow, and discover what they are capable of.
With sincere thanks,
