Vision Project

Children who cannot see, cannot learn. Rotary Club of Hout Bay has partnered with Jonga Trust, a specialist eye-testing NGO to provide vision screening and testing in eight Hout Bay schools.  Since the start of this programme in 2019, the Project screened 11385 learners, of which 8964 primary school children in five Hout Bay primary schools, and 2421 learners from Silikamva, Hout Bay and Nowers High Schools. Those identified by the screeners as having possible vision problems are immediately examined at the school by an optometrist.  Children can choose from a range of attractive frames and a few weeks later, the spectacles are delivered to the learners at no cost to the parents or the schools.  526 and 597 learners received spectacles in 2025 and 2026, respectively. Since 2019,  2500 children have received new spectacles.

 

The need is high and increasing in recent years. From 2025 to 2026, learners requiring spectacles increased from 25 to 28 percent.  In 2026, the average cost of the screened, tested and spectacle supported learner is about 300 rands (about US$18). However, the average cost of spectacles provided to learners in need is 1000 rands (around US$60).  With their spectacles these children now have an improved opportunity to get the education they need to rise above their circumstances. For many, it is life changing to now be able to see clearly beyond a few metres. Every year, the smiles on the learners’ faces when they realise what they can see through their new spectacles tells it all.

Our club is grateful for the support of DHL South Africa , several individual contributors, an online crowdfunding organized by a Rotarian that raced the Cape Town to Rio Race in 2023, and Rotary International networks through:

 

• District Grants (Western Cape, Germany, Canada, UK, USA),
• Club donations (Germany, Canada and USA), and
• SA/Canada Inter-Country Committee.

 

Any queries should be addressed to Mrs Carolyn Herrick, email: Carolyn.m.herrick@gmail.com

Student Support Scheme

The Student Support Scheme grew out of a belief by our Club members that helping children from our disadvantaged communities achieve an education is key to the future of Hout Bay and South Africa. Our club assists South African learners from the Hout Bay townships to study at university and colleges by providing individual mentorship, developmental workshops and financial support where not provided by Government. This scheme was started fourteen years ago and in 2026 is supporting 20 university/college students and has over 24 alumni. We have already helped students gain qualifications in Medicine, Radiography, Accountancy, Farming, Human Resources, Chemistry,  Education and Actuarial Sciences. Many of our students and alumni mentor learners and give back to our local community as Rotaractors.

 

2026 Application Process

 

• Who is Eligible to Apply? – The Student Support Scheme is open to South African citizens who live or study in Hout Bay. Students should have applied for or be attending courses at Public colleges and universities and have applied for and are eligible for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

 

• What is the Student Support Scheme? – The transition from school to college or university is challenging and our Rotary Student Support Scheme provides support during this period, through college life to finding a job on completion. This is not a Bursary as the Government through NSFAS pays fees, accommodation, travel and subsistence. Instead, the Student Support Scheme provides:
  • An individual mentor to support the student through their journey,
  • Regular developmental workshops,
  • Support from our student and alumni network,
  • A laptop for their studies,
  • Top up allowances for items not covered by NSFAS.

 

• How to Apply? 
  • Applications for the next academic year  opens in November   (Click to see application),
  • Interviews are held in December,
  • Successful candidates are informed  once the Matric results are  announced and university or college places have been accepted.

 

In 2026, the full annual cost of sponsoring one student is about US$2400 (around 40 thousand rands).  Typically, each sponsor is allocated to a student, who may have several sponsors. Periodically, each student reports back to the sponsor(s) on progress achieved. Currently, our sponsors consist of individuals, charitable Trusts and businesses from around the world.

 

Any queries should be addressed to Mrs Alison Bull email: alisonbull007@yahoo.co.uk

#MathsHoutBay

Rotary Club of Hout Bay has partnered with the Thata Ithuba organisation to improve the maths outcomes in Hout Bay schools though several key initiatives, including:

These high school initiatives aim to raise the level of competency in mathematics from Grades 8-12 and equip learners with the maths skills required for employment and for further study at the tertiary level.

Early Childhood Development – Feeding Project (e’Pap)

It is accepted that the first one thousand days of a child’s life is fundamental in terms of continuing development.  Many children in South Africa are under-nourished…often not in obvious ways.  Hidden hunger is one such way and refers to micronutrient deficiencies, when children consume enough calories but insufficient essential vitamins and minerals. These deficiencies are not always visible from body weight alone but have profound adverse effects on growth, immunity, brain development, and lifelong health.

 

Rotary Club of Hout Bay, in partnership with the UK charity Garden Route Children´s Trust and Lions Club of Hout Bay, arranges for a daily nutritious porridge to be supplied to about 1000 young children in crèches in the Hangberg and Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay underprivileged communities, providing nourishment and a healthy start to their day.

 

The key criteria in e’Pap’s formulation is that nutrients are in a form that a child´s body can effectively absorb and use. A single bowl of porridge has zinc, iron, Vitamin D and 25 other essential nutrients. For more information on e’Pap, visit https://epapfoundation.org. Children fed e’Pap at the creches are reported to not only be healthier but also better equipped to learn and pay attention.

 

In recent years, our club has been supplying the Hout Bay Main Road Clinic with e´Pap for targeted patients that receive their medication, on a daily or weekly schedule. These medications have to be taken with food, especially for the TB and HIV patients. The e´Pap with its much needed vitamins and nutrients plays a vital role in those patients recovery.

 

Any queries should be addressed to Mr Keith Bull email: Keithbull007@yahoo.co.uk

Youth Services

EarlyAct is a school-based service club for primary school students. Interact is high-school based. Rotary Club of Hout Bay sponsors and supports EarlyAct clubs at Sentinel Primary and Disa Primary and Interact Clubs at Silikamva HS, Hout Bay High and Hout Bay International School.

 

Rotaract Club of Hout Bay brings together young adults ages 18 and older to work side-by side contributing to their communities. Rotaract members run their own club, manage their own funds and carry out their own activities and service projects. Rotary Club of Hout Bay offers guidance and partnership in service projects. Facebook: Rotaract Club of Hout Bay.

 

Every year, during the winter holidays, our club finances two Grade 11-12 learners from Hout Bay high schools to attend the District 9350 Rotary Adventure into Citizenship program. In 2025, over the course of a week, this program involved 55 learners from 25 Rotary Clubs across South Africa for a journey of growth and discovery. All participants explored what it truly means to be an active citizen through thought-provoking discussions on justice, ethics and leadership.

 

Moreover, our club also finances the participation of two 10-12 high school learners with leadership potential to attend the District 9350 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camps that take place, every year, in March and September. RYLA´s are four day leadership outdoor camps where learners test their skills and abilities through team building exercises and individual self-growth while experiencing fun and fellowship across diverse cultures and languages.

 

Any queries should be addressed to Mrs Marianne  Marsh email: marshmarianne@gmail.com