PAST PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
The Black Doll Project
Under apartheid, South African children were unable to have Black dolls, depriving them of the opportunity to see themselves in the toys with which they played. In 1995 Project People Foundation endeavored to collect 15,000 Black dolls for children in the townships of South Africa. Crafting an orchestrated campaign, that relied on the kindness of volunteers traveling between the two countries and a relationship with South African Airways, we met that goal and launched relationships that would build the foundation of a cross continental partnership for decades to come. As an outgrowth of the Black Doll Project, PPF worked with a local community organization that trained and employed over 800 township women to produce high-quality handcrafted items, including dolls, stuffed animals, home decorations and beaded jewelry.
"The "Doll Project" for South African children offers one of the clearest expressions of compassion and encouragement because it contributes to the self-esteem of the recipients. Equally important is the gentle way it helps the donors to know they were opting to be benefactors of a newly empowered people."
- Dr. James A. Forbes Jr., Sr. Minister Emeritus,
The Riverside Church of New York City
The Riverside Church of New York City
"I want to tell you how pleased Scholastic Network is to be the online sponsor of the South African Black Doll Project. As an educational computer network used by thousands of K-12 teachers and students, we believe that the project has provided an excellent opportunity for children around the world to learn about the ways they can make a difference in other people's lives."
- Felicia Halpert, Senior Producer/Content Director Scholastic Network
Bundles of Brightness: Shining A Light in the Village
In partnership with Innovation Africa, PPF's Bundles of Brightness project brought renewable energy, educational opportunity, and economic power to rural villages in Uganda and South Africa. Specifically, Bundles of Brightness provided solar power and “bundles of brightness” (school uniforms, school supplies, and solar lanterns) to children in village schools. The pilot project in Uganda pilot focused on the Mugiti Primary School in Bwikomba I village in Budaka, Pallisa District -- which is seven kilometers away from the last electricity pole. The school educates 1,177 students (586 boys and 591 girls). Over 20% of these students are orphans. PPF’s role focused on providing bundles while Innovation: Africa focused on provision of a solar panel for the school and micro-enterprise for women through cell-phone charging stations. The pilot project in Uganda was completed in 2012 and was replicated in Limpopo, South Africa and Malwelwe, Bostwana. Over 1,000 “Bundles of Brightness” were distributed to children.
"We have light in the evening. I can study at night. We use it to prepare our beds as we go to sleep at night. My granny does her beed work in the evening. My granny fix things at home in the evening. We can now take a bath outside in the evening. We can go to the outside toilet at night. We can get up early in the morning without fearing darkness. We can do our home work and study in the evening. I now look like other children and all children look neat in uniform. We now wear uniform not worried about old and dirty clothes. No children tease other nor others bragging to those who do not have uniform."
- Tshifanyi, Student Recipient
"This project has not only helped the orphans who benefited from the Bundles kit but also the family and community at large in many different ways: Each student is now able to do his/her homework with ease now that there is a brighter light, without worries of the kerosene getting finished. The day is not ending with the setting in of the darkness; they now have extra hours to do schoolwork. The guardians of these children are able to save some money. The money which was used to buy kerosene is either used to supplement nutrition, by scholastic materials or take care of other pressing domestic problems like health. This project has made the orphans and vulnerable children have a sense of belonging and love. Most of these children are staying with paternal uncles and sometimes grandmothers. They are often looked at as a burden. This time, they are the source of light."
- John, School Administrator
Aid-to-AIDS Campaign
On June 13th, 2000, PPF launched Aid-To-AIDS, a campaign to raise public awareness about the increase in AIDS cases among minorities in the U.S., and about the AIDS crisis in South Africa.
A series of beaded AIDS pins were created by women in the townships of Cape Town, South Africa and sold in both countries; the proceeds of the campaign benefitted AIDS organizations - Iris House in New York City and Nkosi's Haven in Johannesburg.
A series of beaded AIDS pins were created by women in the townships of Cape Town, South Africa and sold in both countries; the proceeds of the campaign benefitted AIDS organizations - Iris House in New York City and Nkosi's Haven in Johannesburg.
People Foundation (PPF) is about empowering women in the townships of South Africa. First, the women were taught how to manufacture black dolls for children, many whom had never had a doll at all. Now the newly trained artisans are turning out a series of beaded AIDS pins, designed to raise public awareness in the U.S about the AIDS crisis in Africa. The pins will be sold to raise money for PPF's "Aid-to-AIDS" campaign, the marketing and merchandising plans for which were developed by a top team from DDB New York. I am always proud when DDB people contribute their time and talents to groups that work to relieve poverty and suffering. Project People Foundation (PPF) is one of those organizations."
- Keith Reinhard, Chairman Emeritus DDB Worldwide
Uniforms 101
Since 2004, PPF’s Uniforms 101 Project has provided over 3,000 new school uniforms for low-income students in Cape Town, Limpopo, Durban and Johannesburg. In Johannesburg, school uniforms are produced by PPF’s Crafting Social Change program at Basadi Pele Foundation (BPF), a community training and manufacturing site. Through the generosity of PPF donors, these children can now attend school without stigma or the threat of expulsion.
"We have different categories of families; some are child-headed, some are unemployed parents, and some children are taken care of by their grannies. The mortality rate of parents is growing daily. We appreciate the PPF partnership because you are making a difference and adding values. The children appreciate what they have been given and realize that there are people like you who recognize them and acknowledge their existence. The uniforms you have given have instilled pride in them and a sense of belonging."
- Mrs. E.M. Mahambe, Principal of Patrick Mashego Primary School (Kagiso Township, Johannesburg)
"The skills I gained through the school uniform project enabled me to tender for other contracts of the Department of Social Development. I could buy my own machines. Once my baby falls asleep at night, I can produce garments on order. I can really make a personal contribution to the family income!"
- Oniccah Time, seamstress (Kagiso township, Johannesburg)