Education Support Programme

Empowering Minds.
Unlocking Potential.
Transforming Futures.

Education is the most potent catalyst for breaking the cycle of poverty and creating equitable societies. At Lerato Foundation, we believe that every child and young person—regardless of their financial circumstances, religion, gender, ethnicity, disability, or social background—deserves access to quality education.

Explore Our Programme Partner With Us

The Why

Understanding the challenges and our commitment to transformative education.

Challenges & Our Response

The Barriers to Success

Many children and young people face significant, often systemic barriers that prevent them from accessing or completing their education. Poverty, lack of school fees, limited learning resources, social isolation, and unequal opportunities frequently force bright, talented learners to abandon their dreams.

Our Solution

Lerato Foundation exists to bridge these gaps. We provide holistic, wraparound support that addresses the academic, financial, emotional, social, and developmental needs of learners. By removing these barriers, we allow potential to flourish. We are driven by the values of love, compassion, integrity, stewardship, and service, ensuring that our support is not just financial, but deeply empowering.

Mentorship & Character Development

Core Pillars

Our Education Support Programme operates through 12 integrated initiatives designed to provide comprehensive care.

Scholarship & Financial Assistance

Scholarship & Financial Assistance

Targeting exceptional learners who demonstrate academic ability, leadership potential, and genuine financial need.
  • Academic Excellence
  • Merit & Leadership
  • Sports Excellence (Darajani Partnership)
  • Values & Character
  • School Fees Assistance
Mentorship & Character Development

Mentorship & Character Development

Guidance is just as important as funding. We connect students with mentors and develop ethical leadership.
  • Academic Mentorship
  • Leadership Development
  • Values & Faith
Practical & Future-Ready Skills

Practical & Future-Ready Skills

Education must prepare learners for the future economy.
  • Career Guidance
  • Digital Learning & Innovation
  • Life Skills
Holistic Wellbeing

Holistic Wellbeing

A learner's capacity to learn is tied to their physical and emotional health.
  • Psychosocial Support
  • Sports & Talent Development
  • Community Service

Transparency: Eligibility & Selection

We are committed to the responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. Our selection process is built on fairness, integrity, and transparency.

Stage Process Description
Application Interested learners complete our formal application form and submit supporting academic and social documents.
Review Our committee assesses academic performance, leadership potential, and the severity of financial need.
Verification We conduct home visits and background checks to verify the circumstances of the applicant, ensuring support reaches those with the greatest need.
Selection Final approval is granted by the Scholarship Committee, ensuring all applicants are treated equitably.

Our Impact Framework

We do not just support students; we track their growth to ensure our interventions create lasting change.

Focus Area Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Academic Performance Year-on-year improvement in grades, graduation rates, and transition to higher education.
Personal Growth Pre- and post-programme surveys measuring confidence, decision-making, and emotional intelligence.
Leadership Participation in community service projects and peer-mentorship roles.
Economic Potential Employment status, successful enrollment in TVET/University, and entrepreneurial ventures post-graduation.
Community Impact Number of community service hours completed by our learners and schools.

The Learner's Journey

A multi-stage journey designed to walk with the learner from the moment they are identified until they are ready to step into the world as a leader.

Step 1

Discovery

Identifying talented, deserving learners who face systemic barriers.

Step 2

Integration

Welcome phase, including orientation to our values, mentorship matching, and resource assessment.

Step 3

Empowerment

The "Deep Support" phase—access to tuition, digital literacy, life skills training, and continuous psychosocial support.

Step 4

Growth

Leadership development, community volunteering, and career guidance tailored to individual strengths.

Step 5

Transition

Preparation for the workplace or higher education, including CV building and interview simulations.

Step 6

Impact

Graduation into our Alumni Network, where they begin the cycle anew by mentoring the next generation.

Transparency & Ethical Stewardship

Building trust through responsible governance of the resources we receive.

At Lerato Foundation, we honour the trust our donors and partners place in us by operating with absolute transparency.

  • Financial Accountability: We conduct regular internal and external audits to ensure every contribution is used efficiently for its intended purpose.
  • Operational Integrity: We strictly follow a "Learner-First" policy. Administrative costs are kept low to maximize the direct benefit to our students.
  • Safe Learning Environment: We implement rigorous child protection policies, ensuring that every interaction—whether in person or online—is safe, professional, and respectful of the dignity of every learner.
  • Regular Reporting: We provide our partners and stakeholders with annual impact reports that detail not only our achievements but also our challenges and lessons learned.
Practical & Future-Ready Skills

Beyond the Classroom: The Alumni Network

The Lerato Foundation journey does not end when a learner finishes school.

Alumni Network

Our Alumni Network is a thriving community of changemakers who stay connected to the Foundation and to each other.

  • Paying it Forward: Many of our graduates return as guest speakers, career mentors, and volunteer tutors for our younger students.
  • Lifelong Support: We continue to provide networking opportunities, professional advice, and a community of peers as our alumni navigate early adulthood and their careers.
  • Evidence of Change: Our alumni serve as the ultimate proof of our mission, leading with integrity in fields ranging from medicine and engineering to sports and public service.

Strategic Partnership Opportunities

We invite corporate and institutional partners to go beyond simple donations. We offer tailored partnership models.

Adopt-a-Class

Provide comprehensive support for a specific group of learners throughout their academic year.

Tech-for-Education

Partner with us to provide digital labs, tablets, or internet connectivity to bridge the digital divide.

Skills-Based Volunteering

Allow your employees to provide pro-bono career coaching, legal advice, or technical training to our learners.

Research & Advocacy

Collaborate with us on community outreach programmes that advocate for child rights and quality education in our region.

A Commitment to Generations

Our work is not for the short term. Every scholarship awarded, every life skill taught, and every mentor matched is a building block for a stronger, more resilient community. When you invest in a Lerato Foundation learner, you are not just funding an education—you are investing in the doctors, innovators, and leaders who will shape the future of our nation. Join us today, and let's build that future together.

Partner With Us: Create Lasting Change

Transformation is a collaborative effort. We invite individuals, corporations, schools, and faith-based organizations to join us in building a future where no learner is left behind.

Sponsor a Learner Volunteer Donate

“Together, we are not only supporting education—we are building hope, unlocking potential, and creating a future where every learner has the opportunity to thrive.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on a question to reveal the answer.

Who is eligible for support?
We support learners from vulnerable households, orphans, and children with special needs or significant potential who face financial or social barriers. Our selection process prioritises those with the greatest need and the highest potential for success.
Do you only support Christian learners?
No. While we are a Christian-led organization, we welcome and support learners from all religions, faiths, cultures, and backgrounds. Our programmes are inclusive and respect the dignity of every individual.
How do you measure success?
We track student retention, academic progress, leadership development, and long-term career outcomes to ensure our resources are creating tangible impact. Our Impact Framework includes KPIs across academic performance, personal growth, leadership, economic potential, and community impact.
What types of scholarships do you offer?
We offer four main scholarship categories: Academic Excellence (for high performers), Merit & Leadership (for changemakers), Sports Excellence (in partnership with Darajani Sports Academy), and Values & Character (for those who embody integrity and servant leadership).
How can I apply for support?
Interested learners can complete our formal application form and submit supporting academic and social documents. Our committee reviews each application, conducts home visits for verification, and the Scholarship Committee grants final approval.
How can I partner with Lerato Foundation?
We offer tailored partnership models including Adopt-a-Class, Tech-for-Education, Skills-Based Volunteering, and Research & Advocacy. You can also sponsor a learner, volunteer your expertise, or make a donation to support our programmes.