Twice a year, Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust (CRET) students and a number of alumni and staff, take part in the organisation’s ‘Vacation Programme’, that spans three days and helps students to build and foster relationships. One day of the programmes is dedicated to community service, where students and alumni carry out the organisation’s ethos of compassion. Last month, 60 CRET students and several alumni and staff, cooked, cleaned and volunteered their time at the Abangeni Enkosini Orphanage in Alexandra as part of the programme. “I am grateful to the CRET family for promoting a culture of giving back through their many interventions. I will hold this experience dear to my heart and continue to give back in the same way they have given so generously to me,” says Letlhogonolo Masilo, a 4th year BA Governance and Political Transformation Studies student at University of the Free State.
CRET, a bursary fund started by President Cyril Ramaphosa that was originally funded by money he earned at public speaking events, goes further than supplying financial support to its students by instilling values of civic mindedness and community service as well. This holistic approach produces young people committed to making South Africa a better place.
“The programme, which has assisted 212 students to date, has seen many of its beneficiaries go on to do inspiring community development work in South Africa. The CRET alumni have also taken it upon themselves to start the ‘Alumni Fund’, which has already funded the studies of two more promising students,” says Chantel Oosthuizen, Executive Director of CRET.
