Christel House South Africa

VOASA believes in promoting and applying responsible tourism initiatives, as our industry grows from strength to strength we believe in sharing our successes with those less fortunate.
 
VOASA is affiliated to CHRISTEL HOUSE SOUTH AFRICA and believes in their vision that transforming a life destined to poverty into a life of self-sufficiency can only be achieved by combating the causes of poverty: lack of education, lack of opportunity, lack of dignity, lack of good health and lack of positive role models.
 

The future is bright for children and families who are at Christel House today, but it is the exponential effect of our work that will ultimately yield the greatest impact. Future generations, free from the crushing burden of poverty, will have the opportunity to live productive lives. 

Christel House Vision

Providing food, shelter and medical care are fundamental components of poverty alleviation. The holistic and transformational approach of Christel House expands beyond basic survival needs and addresses the problem through long-term, systemic interventions and human transformation.

The cycle of poverty is vicious and repetitive. No magic wand can be waved to make it disappear. Our work is longitudinal. It requires tremendous commitment, long-term involvement and dedicated professionals. And it happens one child at a time. 

Christel House 2011 School Profile 

  • Opened January 2002
  • Grades K – 12th
  • 749 students enrolled (including work study students)
  • 99% student retention rate
  • 97.8% student attendance
  • 66 total staff
  • Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8:00 – 5:00; Saturday 8:00 to 1:00 

Achievements  

  • 2011 – Christel House South Africa’s 6th grade students outscored their Western Cape peers on recently administered standardized tests;
  • 2011 – 32 of 40 student athletes advance to secondary Athletic Federation competition against ten significantly larger schools each sending more than 100 athletes;
  • 2010 – For the second consecutive year, 100% of 12th grade students passed the national matric examination.  South Africa’s average pass rate for these tests is only 67.8%. Two-thirds of the class met the requirements for admission to Bachelor’s Degree programs;
  • 2010 – 15-year-old Wanda Matshaya carried the South African flag at the Singapore Junior Olympics.  She was the only student from South Africa to qualify for the games;
  • 2009 – 100% of Christel House South Africa’s first graduating class pass the rigorous national matric examination compared to South Africa’s 60.7% average pass rate;
  • 2009—Opened the new state-of-the-art facility;
  • 2007-Five students participate in a university math and science program at North Carolina State University;
  • 2006-UMALUSI (agency accrediting independent schools) gives Christel House a perfect score and the highest possible accreditation;
  • 2006-Eight institutions of higher learning participate in College Day at Christel House;
  • 2006-24 students perform in La Boehme with the Cape Town Opera;
  • 2006-Sewing cooperative employs 150 parents through a Christel House collaboration;
  • 2005-Christel House South Africa wins national title of "Most Outstanding School" during the KTV Market Day;
  • 2004-Community Outreach program expands to provide 31 workshops in 6 communities;
  • 2003-Workshops on family violence and its affect on children attended by 98% of parents;
  • 2002-Opened school in January for 292 students in grades 1 through 5;
  • 2001- Rented a vacant church school.

Contact Details

21 Swallowcliffe Drive
Ottery
Cape Town 7800
SOUTH AFRICA
Phone: (27) (21) 704-9400
Fax: (27) (21) 703-2748
E-mail: info@sa.christelhouse.org
Website: www.sa.christelhouse.org