At the Anna Foundation, learning doesn’t stop when the school bell rings. It continues in our after-school programmes, on the sports field, and even in the way we celebrate special days. Through our 3Rs programme – Reading, Running, and Right-ing – we empower rural children with the tools they need to succeed, whether that’s through language, emotional well-being, or lifelong learning skills.

Learning at the Anna Foundation is more than just academics – it’s about fostering curiosity, confidence, and a sense of belonging. This was beautifully reflected in the Stellenbosch Harvest Parade on 1 February, where our children celebrated the season of growth and hard work. Just like the fields that flourish with care and dedication, young minds thrive when nurtured with knowledge, encouragement, and opportunity.

On Valentine’s Day, we didn’t just celebrate the day of hearts and sweets – we celebrated a love for learning!

Love and learning have much in common – they both require patience, foster growth, and bring joy. At the Anna Foundation, we make education an experience children look forward to, nurturing curiosity through reading, writing, and creative expression.

And just like friendship, learning flourishes in a supportive environment. Our after-school programmes provide a space where children uplift and inspire each other. Whether they’re exploring stories, putting thoughts to paper, or participating in sports, they’re growing – not just academically, but in confidence and connection.

Because we value quality education, we devided to offer more training sessions for our facilitators this year. We’ve planned 17 sessions for each group, with the aim of strengthening our connections with them, helping them build stronger bonds with each other, and equipping them with new skills to use at their aftercares.

To celebrate International Mother Language Day on 21 February, we had some fun with language! We asked our children to guess the meanings of big and difficult Afrikaans and English words, and their answers were as hilarious as they were creative. One of our favourite moments? When they tried to figure out what “renaissance” means!

This playful activity highlighted an important part of our 3Rs Programme: fostering a love for language and literacy. Through the Reading component, we help children develop strong literacy skills in both their Afrikaans and English. By encouraging reading and storytelling, we open doors to new opportunities, knowledge, and self-expression.