Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Work Hours
Monday to Friday: 7AM - 7PM
Weekend: 10AM - 5PM
The partnership between Christel House South Africa and Blue Label Telecoms began in 2014 and continues to this day. Christel House SA is a non-profit organisation located on Swallowcliffe Drive in Ottery, Cape Town, with a mission to break the cycle of poverty by facilitating upward economic mobility for graduates, promoting good citizenship, and empowering them to identify and achieve their goals, dreams, and potential.
The organisation’s impact extends beyond the individual students and also benefits the communities they are a part of. The organisation’s goals align with eight of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Wellbeing, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Reduced Inequalities, and Peace and Justice Strong Institutions.
Blue Label Telecoms employees have been active participants in other initiatives by Christel House SA, such as our Speed Interviews program, Virtual Fitness Challenge, and Youth Bridge, aimed at supporting unemployed youth to re-enter the workforce.
Christel House South Africa’s approach to education is designed to address the challenges faced by impoverished children. The NPOs holistic model offers more than just quality education that follows the CAPS curriculum. Instead, their approach includes poverty reduction services such as transportation to and from school, healthcare, nutritious meals, psychosocial counselling, family support, and college and career planning.
The NGO offers a character-based and career-focused education, which focuses on equipping students with strong values and skills that are in line with the future world of work. With programs that emphasize STEAM subjects through an ICT-enabled curriculum. Their school is Umalusi Accredited and is one of only five Microsoft Showcase schools in South Africa.
Transportation is provided to all our students from 26 indigent neighbouring communities to ensure that they attend school regularly, which is critical to their educational success. Students are provided with school uniform and a pair of shoes per year, along with all their textbooks, stationery, and other learning materials.
The NGO also has two full-time registered nurses who provide general nursing support to all students, conduct regular check-ups, assessments, and immunizations. Two full-time qualified counsellors provide psychosocial support to our students and maintain a close relationship with their parents.
Christel House South Africa’s College & Careers program starts at Grade RR (age 4), where they introduce students to career choices, and continues for 19 years until students are 23 (5 years post-matric). Individualized career paths are developed for each student, exposing them to the world of work through career excursions and talks, conduct psychometric tests, assist with bursary and job applications, and provide monthly stipends and mentoring to support them through university and their first jobs.
Parents are required to be involved in the school by volunteering for a minimum of 40 hours per year, attending six educational workshops on parenting per year, attending regular parent meetings, participating in school activities, and helping with homework. This approach ensures that NGO forges strong bonds with the families of their students.
From 2014 to 2018, Christel House South Africa received annual donations during the summer months. However, the non-profit organisation has since received over R 1 million in investments from Blue Label Telecoms, which has helped to make various initiatives a reality.
Thanks to this support, Christel House South Africa has been able to achieve consistent success with its students year after year.
In the last decade, BLT has actively participated in various programs in collaboration with Christel House South Africa. These include:
These achievements are a testament to the hard work and dedication of Christel House South Africa’s staff and students, as well as the generous support of Blue Label Telecoms. Together, they have helped to create a brighter future for the organisation’s students and the broader community.