Project 02/2025 Co-funding project Dr. Hubert Jung, Buseck-Germany in collaboration with Dieter & Bettina Wulkow Foundation

In a co-project, Dr. Hubert Jung, Buseck with the Dieter & Bettina Wulkow Foundation provides life-changing education for children in the rural area of the Little Karoo/Swartberge near Rust, South Africa.

Dr. Hubert Jung, Anita Brebeck and Dieter and Bettina Wulkow, board members of the foundation recently traveled for two joint funding projects to South Africa at their own private expense.

A big birthday for our long-time foundation companion Dr. Hubert Jung, Buseck was the occasion. With his donations and our increase, we were able to implement two aid projects there. 

YOUPSA (abbreviation for Youth Potential South Africa) is a non-profit educational organization (NGO) and has been operating in the De Rust region for several years. It awakens the creativity, potential and determination of children and young people in rural and poorer areas.  The creative educational programs (After School Enrichment Program) open up opportunities for young people who would otherwise never see beyond their immediate surroundings. Children in remote villages in particular find it difficult to receive education because they often work in the fields with their parents and relatives or have no access to school or the opportunity for further education. It is the only organization that works with the children in the area on a daily basis and is an important part of the De Rust community.

Before YOUPSA started its programs in De Rust, it examined the situation in the region. There was an urgent need as there was no support for the majority of young people.  Every child has the potential to contribute something unique and positive to the world, and YOUPSA helps discover and nurture this.

As part of the afterschool enrichment program, YOUPSA builds a close relationship with each of the children targeted and promotes their skills and intellectual potential.  Many children have received further training and talent support in the past. Whether it is encouraging artistic pursuits with an art teacher, to help math lessons or craft skills, Youpsa has helped children find, develop and strengthen their talents.  Art is as necessary as sunshine and as vital as food and is therefore an important part of YOUPSA programs. Mathematics is also an essential part of every aspect of life. The programs offer children playful, practical and social learning experiences.

Youpsa has various rooms available in the region for the Afterschool Enrichment Program provided by donors, the church or other private farmers in the region.

We were able to use Youpsas work for a day and a half, on the 17th/18th. February 2025, we were guests in the afternoon learning program in the rooms of the Nelsrivier Bambino Creche, Rietvally, where 13 children came together. It is a secluded but welcoming place where childrens curiosity and inspiration for learning through play thrives. 

The children are between 6 and 14 years old. Drugs and alcohol are the dangers that some young people face, wherever and whoever they get it from. The After School Enrichment Program also wants to provide information about this.

A disadvantage of the predominantly poor children is that they almost never get out of their confined rural surroundings. They live in very poor conditions and hardly have the opportunity to leave their neighborhood. 

Despite living so close to the Meiringspoort Waterfall, 90% of young people have never seen this natural wonder. YOUPSA takes groups of children to visit this amazing place and many other places.

The organizations regular educational trips help rural children explore the wide world. Examples of organized trips to the next larger town, Oudshoorn, include a beekeepers farm, a game reserve, a theater performance or a cattle farm, a farm, a visit to a music event, a craft market or spending a day at the sea and beach near Mosselbay.

YOUPSAs weekly After School Enrichment and Literacy program includes, depending on age group, team and leadership building, interactive math learning, literacy skills, problem solving, critical thinking, art, drama, communication and discussion skills, and a wide range of childrens continuing education activities.

The program triggers transformative experiences in children by building trusting relationships and promoting social-emotional skills. It is the only place in the area where the children feel safe and can learn in a non-threatening environment. Here they feel respected, can be creative and develop freely. The program enables young people to become confident, thinking, capable and kind-hearted adults. 

YOUPSA children naturally become more involved in their community and home and become role models in the community.  They have more positive attitudes toward themselves and others, interact better with others, and make smarter decisions. Participation in the YOUPSA program gives the child a sense of belonging, a vision and hope for the future.

YOUPSA focuses its energy on bringing valuable experiences into childrens lives and building trusting relationships with them. This supports their personal development and leaves a lasting positive impact.

We accompanied Ray and Alexis for a day and a half and got a good insight into their dedicated work. With a sum of €3,000, Dr. Hubert Jung and the Dieter & Bettina Wulkow Foundation are happy to host YOUPSAs after school enrichment programs.

De Rust/Rietvalley  February 18th 2025

Photos: own, Dieter & Bettina Wulkow Foundation