Wendy Abrahams

What does your company do?

In communities like Mitchells Plain, Strandfontein, 7de Laan Informal Settlement, Schaapkraal, Bayview, and the surrounding areas, where hardship often overshadows hope, Advance Edukos Foundation is creating safe spaces—spaces filled with learning, support, creativity, and opportunity. We are on the ground every day, building a culture of care and empowerment. Through our four pillars—Education, Health & Wellbeing, Psychosocial Support, and Arts & Culture—we walk alongside children, youth, and families to nurture growth and unlock potential. In our Education pillar, we are helping young people thrive inside and outside the classroom. Our Afterschool Programmes support learners from Grade 2 to 12 with tutoring, homework help, and school assignments. In Schaapkraal, children aged 5 to 7 who are not yet in school attend our Early Foundation Phase class. Our Literacy Programme for Grades 2 and 3 is helping children learn to read with understanding—because we know reading is the gateway to success. Inside schools, we offer Life Skills Programmes, and for young people not in education or employment, our Level Up (NEET) Programme equips them with job readiness, computer skills, financial literacy, interview preparation, job shadowing, and access to internships and meaningful employment. We are also making sure no child learns on an empty stomach. Through our Nutrition programme, participants across all our initiatives receive daily meals, giving them the energy to learn, grow, and thrive. In Health & Wellbeing, we focus on more than physical health—we focus on dignity and access. We run personal hygiene workshops, screen and test for HIV, AIDS, and TB, and offer referrals where needed. Our Awareness Campaigns on human rights, gender-based violence, and health issues help break the silence, reduce stigma, and encourage informed choices. Through Psychosocial Support, we offer counselling, life skills development, mentoring, and referrals—helping children and youth navigate trauma, grief, anxiety, and other personal challenges. We walk beside them as they rediscover their worth and rebuild their confidence. And through Arts & Culture, we offer a powerful space for healing, self-expression, and joy. Participants learn new creative skills while engaging in activities that bring pride and purpose. We create platforms where young people showcase their talents, compete in local and national competitions, explore cultural spaces through museum excursions, and even exhibit and sell their work—proving that their creativity has value.

What is your biggest success?

One of our greatest achievements as an organisation has been receiving formal recognition for the impact of our work. We were honoured to receive the After-School Arts and Culture Coach of Excellence Award from the Department of Cultural Affairs, and to be named Runner-Up Organisation for the Best Quality After-School Programme. These awards affirm the heart and hard work we put into creating safe, empowering, and creative learning environments for children and youth. We’ve also had the privilege of seeing our learners shine. Many of our young participants have won local art competitions, and some have had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to exhibit their work alongside established and famous artists. For children who once doubted their worth, these moments offer a powerful reminder: my voice matters, my story matters. In 2023, we were honoured to be invited to South Korea as a Peace Organisation, an international recognition of our work in healing, education, and youth development in vulnerable communities. In 2024, we were invited to speak at the After-School Symposium in Johannesburg, where we shared insights into the role of creativity and holistic development in transforming lives. But our most emotional and defining achievement came during a time of profound crisis. When a local community mall tragically burned down—leaving the neighbourhood traumatised and children deeply affected—we didn’t step back, we stepped in. Through our holiday programme, we created therapeutic art hubs, offering children a safe and nurturing space to process their emotions, express their fears, and begin to heal through art. In the midst of loss and chaos, we offered colour, calm, and connection. That experience reaffirmed everything we believe: that healing can happen through creativity, that children can rise from adversity, and that safe, intentional spaces can change the trajectory of a life. These achievements—whether on global stages or in quiet community corners—remind us why we do this work. Every award, every exhibition, every healing moment tells a bigger story: We are building futures. We are igniting hope. We are changing lives—one child, one brushstroke, one breakthrough at a time.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

very organisation has its challenges—but ours have shaped us, strengthened us, and deepened our purpose. In our first three years, our biggest hurdle was simply surviving. We operated with minimal funding, often digging deep into personal and community resources just to keep the doors open. Gaining the trust of potential funders was a slow and difficult process—many were hesitant to invest in a small organisation with a big dream. But we stayed the course. We showed up, we delivered, and we let the impact speak for itself. Another ongoing hurdle we face is the reality of operating in high-risk communities, where the threat of gang violence and crime is never far away. We’ve had to navigate the uncertainty of working in venues where safety is not always guaranteed—for ourselves, our staff, or the young people we serve. One of the most traumatic moments in our journey came when we were caught in an armed robbery in Khayelitsha, immediately after facilitating a youth training programme. It was a terrifying reminder of the dangers our team faces in trying to bring light to places often overshadowed by violence. But even in those darkest moments, we refuse to give up. We continue to show up because we know that what we offer—safety, support, healing, and hope—is needed now more than ever. Our resilience isn’t just a reflection of our team; it’s a reflection of the communities we serve. Together, we rise—even when it's hard, even when it hurts—because the future of our children is worth it.