Background and description:
Aitsa! After Care Centre opened its doors in 2014 in the picturesque village of Kylemore, approximately 15 minutes outside Stellenbosch. While Stellenbosch is world-renowned for its wines and one of the largest universities in South Africa, most of the families in Kylemore are in challenging circumstances. Parents work long hours to be able to provide for the basic needs of the family.  Children are often left unattended, after school which results in increased risk to their safety, development and general wellbeing. 

For this reason, an after-care centre, open every afternoon after school, plays such an integral role. Not only does Aitsa! provide a safe place where children receive a cooked meal and fruit daily, but it is a place where children’s full potential can be developed.
Through holistic programs Aitsa! provides educational and homework support through its dedicated permanent teacher network. In addition, learners receive coaching and support in a wide variety of Sport, Art and Cultural activities. Lastly, their Psycho-social and spiritual needs are identified and nurtured via trained mentors and the clinical psychologist and social worker on duty.  Currently, we serve 230 children between the ages of 5 and 13 years, we employ 18 full-time staff members, mostly residing in the village of Kylemore. Our valuable volunteer corps consist of 99 dedicated people from all walks of life.

Core Purpose and Impact:
Aitsa! After Care Centre wants to create a safe, loving and stimulating environment where each child’s full potential can be developed. We commit to partnering with each child and his/her parents from age 5 until they reach adulthood at the age of 18. We take in an additional 35 kids annually from Grade R to Grade 12. We will have a total 455 children in the next 7 years.

Specific needs 
8 years ago we started with our first intake of 25 grade 1 learners. Next year, these children (who have been with us from the beginning) will graduate from primary school and begin their high school (grade 8) career. Our commitment is to walk with each child and his/her family from the age of 5 until 18 or Gr 12. Our primary school facilities will be at capacity (260 children) with the new intake of Grade R's next year. 

We have secured a site to establish our high school aftercare facilities (next to the local high school) and are currently raising funds to develop the youth centre. As with the primary school facilities the centre's are constructed from Containers. The Youth centre will comprise of a Kitchen, a Library and study area, a E-learning centre, a Extra-mural activity for chess, choir, art and drama and a chill room and eating area.

How to get involved
@ Corporate sponsorship:Let your company donate or sponsor any of the above and receive a tax certificate. We are also fully BEE accredited (Level 1, >75% of beneficiaries are black). Aitsa! also welcomes corporate team building activities where staff can interact with children or help with painting and gardening

@ Donation: Please consider making a donation. All SA residence’s donations are tax-deductible Program: 

@Metnorship: Join our team of mentors and be part of our big brother/big sister program for Gr 4-5. One hour a week.
@ Reading buddies and Maths tutors. Small-group facilitation. One hour a week.
@ Sponsor-a-child-program: Sponsor a child/ren for R300 per child per month and ensure that he/she gets a safe and stimulating environment after school.
@ Sponsor-a teacher program: Sponsor a teacher for between R3500 and R10 000 per month.
@ Sports coach: Join our variety of sports programs and give your input or start your own sport at Aitsa!
@ Cultural programs: Join our current cultural programs like art, choir or dancing or start your own
@ Counsellor: Weekly sessions of individual or group therapies