The Sozo Foundation

Story of hope 🤲🕯 Asavela's Journey from Our Vocational Skills Programme to Disney Cruise Line🛳🌊✨ "Asavela joined our vocational skills programme for our 2023 intake, he mentioned very early during his assessments that he has a desire to work in cruise ships and is busy with applications and assessments to qualify. He intentionally joined our barista school to learn the skills of becoming a barista and add that to his skill set because he believed it would increase his chances of getting the cruise ship job. After graduating from our Barista programme, while still busy with the application process for a cruise ship job, he was placed at Woolworths in Constantia as a Barista. During his time at Woolworths, he got accepted and called by the Disney Cruise line to join their team overseas and that is where he is at right now In America." -Thulani Ketelo( Skills Development Programme Director) . . . #thesozofoundation #Vrygrond #TalesofaTownship #pathwaystoyouthemployment #nonprofitlife #thesozofoundation #mentalhealthawareness #storyofimpact

The story behind "Tsepo" a portable power station" Here's the link to the podcast: https://lnkd.in/eyuAMuCE And if you're in Cape Town visit their stall today or tomorrow at the CTICC.

MBA students from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign visited us at Sozo!😁👏University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign This was an amazing opportunity for them to get to know about us and the work we do with young people in the Vrygrond community in Cape Town. Community is an essential part of learning and since learning has no boundaries, the students share knowledge, information and expertise with our young people. Exposed to the real-life challenges we face in this small community these students see how we combat these challenges on a day-to-day basis and watch how our students rise above the stigma of their environment. Joseph Pena Sarah Pietrowicz Kate Deering Kate Aguilera Yash Gugale Romeo (Chuck) Pe Benito Raluca Balazs Fangchen Li, CPA . . . #thesozofoundation #Vrygrond #Collaboration #MBA #internationalstudentprogrammes #UniversityofIllinios #GiesCollge #Businessschool

Highly recommend that you go and witness this young person he has an inspiring story and journey as a young entrepreneur. 🤗 🙌 Congratulations Vincent 👏 😁

Inspire Inclusion. When we inspire others to understand and value woman’s inclusion, we forge a better world.🕯️🤝 This international Woman’s Month we pay homage to the amazing women who hold our communities with love, care and compassion 🩷🩵 We hosted 16 lovely women from the Sisonke Senior Group in partnership with the Vrygrond Community Development Trust/Centre. We had them join us for a pamper session and from our students. Word of of the day was “First Class” and that’s exactly the experience our students hosted the ladies with 😌💅 Here’s how it went down🙂 . . . #Womansmonth #sheownshersuccess #youthempowerment #thesozofoundation #togtherwecan #Womansday #Vrygrond

🌸 Celebrating International Women's Day 🌸 This International Women's Day, we honour the incredible women who hold our communities together with unwavering love, care, and compassion. At Sozo, we are proud to say that more than 60% of our staff are female, each playing an essential and impactful role in our mission. Women at Sozo inspire us every day. Their dedication, strength, and resilience are the pillars upon which our community thrives. They lead with empathy, innovate with creativity, and drive transformation with a vision that seeks to include and uplift everyone. Today, we celebrate these amazing women and their invaluable contributions. When we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, we forge a better world for all. Let's continue to champion equality, empower one another, and work towards a future where every woman's voice is heard and every woman's potential is realized. Here's to the women who inspire us, support us, and lead us. Happy International Women's Day! 🌍💖 . . . #InternationalWomensDay #InspireInclusion #SozoCommunity #WomenEmpowerment #CelebrateWomen #womansmonth #thesozofoundation #Vrygrond

Mandela Day Recap, Every Monday to Thursday Sozo provides about 250 sandwiches to our students in the Education, Skills and Entrepreneurship hub This Mandela Day we had volunteers, Kerryn and Nobuntu together with some of our staff who assisted in making nutritious sandwiches. Later our talented in-house Graphic Designer also painted the wall of the funding department office. Here's a recap of the day, tell us what interesting thing you did for 67minutes this Mandela day . . . #thesozofoundation #MandelaDayObserved #JulyDump #Vrygrond #ActForChange #LetsCloseTheFoodGap #67Minutes

The power of collaboration and partnership brings stories of impact to real life 👏🤝 The Learning Trust Let’s continue this journey of impact one young person at a time. We are proud of Charne’s growth with us ⚡️👏😁 . . . #Beyondtheclassroom #AfterSchoolSA #TLT #thesozofoundation

📢 [BECOME AN ADVOCATE]: Join the Cause to Close the Food Gap! 🍽️ ❓ Did you know that one in five households in South Africa struggle to put food on the table? 🍳 Children need nutritious food to reach their full potential, but rising food prices have affected families across the country who can no longer afford to feed their children nutrient-rich food. 🟠 That's why DG Murray Trust and Grow Great Campaign have championed 10 budget-friendly food items - a selection of essential, nutritious foods that will help children to grow well and learn well. These include eggs, beans, tinned fish, fortified maize meal, peanut butter, and more! 🥚🌽🥜 🟠 We need government and businesses to get on board and help South Africa's children grow well. The Shoprite Group of Companies is already on a mission to reduce their prices on essential foods. To do this, we need your support! Here's how YOU can help: 1️⃣ Spread the word about these 10 foods and the importance of affordable, nutritious food. 2️⃣ Learn more about these essential items by sending a WhatsApp message to 060 073 3333. 3️⃣ Share our campaign material on social media using the hashtags #LetsCloseTheFoodGap 4️⃣ Read the brochure to become an advocate by visiting https://lnkd.in/dHVuwRMU Together, we can make a difference in the lives of South African families. 🙌🌽🥛 #LetsCloseTheFoodGap #DGMT #GrowGreat #ActForChange #thesozofoundation #pathwaystoyouthemployment

Join us at Sozo as we make a difference in our community! Help us prepare 250 sandwiches for our beneficiaries Volunteer 67 minutes of your time and be part of something special No skills required, just a willingness to serve When: 18 July | 10am-12:30pm Where: Sozo Foundation Skills Hub📍https://lnkd.in/dmAxAkrb Come be a force for good with us! . . . #MandelaDay #Sozo #Volunteer #MakeADifference #SandwichMaking #CommunityFirst #Vrygrond #pathwaystoyouthemployment #thesozofoundation