Our Story

Project YES Africa was established after eight Washington, D.C. area friends traveled to South Africa on vacation in 2013.

In addition to visiting key sights and experiencing various cultural events across the country, the group planned a one-time service day to make a contribution in a township. Led by a local resident and tour guide, the group visited a pre-school in the Khayelitsha township outside of Cape Town and delivered much needed educational supplies for the children and staff.

From the moment of arrival, the group was struck by the patchwork of unsafe and dilapidated structures, lack of basic supplies and over-crowded conditions. They found two staff persons and 50 pre-school eager to learn children in two tiny rooms. What astonished the group the most, however, was the indomitable hope and spirit of the staff and children. They exhibited grace and appreciation in spite of their circumstances.

The children sang for the group and the center director, Nokwanda, proudly demonstrated their abilities and spoke with pride about the important services the pre-school provides for families in the community.

As the group prepared to leave the pre-school, they presented Nokwanda with the supplies brought from the U.S. while simultaneously coming to the realization that much more could be done to support the children in the pre-school. By the end of their vacation, the friends collectively agreed that they could and must do more to address not only the needs of the pre-school, but as many children across South Africa as possible — and thus Project YES Africa was born.

As new challenges and needs arise, the founders of Project YES Africa will continue to strive to realize its mission of improving the development and education of school-aged children in South Africa.

Learn about our inaugural project in Khayelitsha.