Partners Across the Ocean
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Beginning in the year 2000 a collection of Zion-Benton Township High School teachers, students, Rotarians, school administrators and community members have come together to do their part in improving the education of township students in South Africa. Through fund-raising events, a stream of regular donations, speaking honorariums, and a large grant from Rotary International, this program has been carried by its community support.
Located in Illinois the community of Zion is approximately one hour north of Chicago.
This educational project primarily serves the township of Khayelitsha, near Cape Town. Khayelitsha, which means "New Home", is an African Township in all its paradoxical meaning. Once a symbol of the oppression of apartheid these townships and their residents are the hope of the "New" South Africa. The home to people with great energy and a vibrant culture, but also a place with a very high rate of violent crime. Khayelitsha is the home of both squatter camps, with metal shacks and water taps but also more permanent brick homes, often for its long term residents. Its population, which is almost entirely from the Xhosa group, has been estimated at approximately 1.5 million.
The organization draws exchange students from the township and brings them to the United States to study for one year at Zion-Benton Township High School. Upon returning to South Africa the students are placed back into school and then proceed to the university level. The American organization also arranges the funding of their university education and provides mentorship to them. Most of these students are sponsored by the Illinois Beach Sunrise Rotary Club or a Wisconsin group called Reflections International.
More directly, the Partners Across The Ocean technology initiative has built computer laboratories in the township and provided them with updated educational software. The organization has also sent groups of Zion-Benton teachers to the township to work with their South African partners across the ocean. South African educators have also been brought to the United States.
