In 2022, SOS Children’s Villages UK strengthened its partnership with Standard Chartered Foundation’s global Futuremakers initiative in Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Sri Lanka, Jordan, the Philippines, South Africa and Mauritius.
Our partnership made significant progress in 2022, with 1,039 young people participating in ongoing (rather than one-off) activities, 55% of whom were young women.
*Grace, an imaginative and gifted young individual, is fuelled by her love for crafts and dressmaking. This passion had taken root during her formative years while being raised in the SOS Children’s Villages community in Botswana.
Diagnosed with a learning disability early in life, Grace spent a decade in a special education class at her primary school. This limited educational experience stifled her growth, as the school struggled to address her unique needs.
Hope dawned when Grace’s devoted SOS Children’s Villages caregiver helped her discover the Standard Chartered Futuremakers ‘Collective Communities’ Project, in collaboration with the Motswedi Rehabilitation Centre. Through this, Grace enrolled in a vocational dressmaking course.
Excelling in her class, Grace not only honed her sewing expertise, but also significantly enhanced her social skills. The progress she made has now opened doors to higher education opportunities.
The project hosted a careers fair with diverse experts, offering guidance to 50 participants. Through this, Grace met a renowned designer, fuelling her fashion interest and discussing mentorship.
From a young person with limited opportunities at the beginning of the year, Grace’s story is now an inspiring tale of determination, passion, and the transformative power of education.
*Names changed to protect the privacy of the children.
