The Simunye Project

The Simunye Project, a volunteer service organized by The Principia Upper School, promotes cross-cultural understanding and collaboration among students based in the US and communities in South Africa.Through service trips and ongoing partnerships, the project seeks to empower both participants and the communities they serve.

Mission

To inspire young people to be positive forces for change.

Vision

We believe in the oneness of humanity and seek to create sustainable change in underserved communities in South Africa by providing access to education, food and water.

Goals

To awaken in young people the belief that they can be catalysts: dynamic forces for positive change.
To make a difference in the lives of communities in South Africa.
To cut across racial, language and socio-economic lines and connect kids with kids.

Focus

We put education at the center of our work because we believe we can break the cycle of poverty through access to schooling.

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The Simunye Project Story

The Simunye Project began in 2006 when trip leader, Peter Dry, met Susan Rammekwa.

Susan was running The Tshepang Programme for orphaned and vulnerable children. Peter was struck by two things:

The fact that we have the means to make a massive difference in the lives of children in poor communities.
Peter was acutely aware of the lessons volunteers could learn from The Princess Community. Lessons of joy, resilience, community, resourcefulness, and Ubuntu – a quality that includes the essential human virtues: compassion and humanity.

In 2007, The Simunye Project ran its first trip - a three week experience during which volunteers did hands-on work in underprivileged communities.

Since then, The Simunye Project has sent over 500 volunteers and raised over $1 million. Every cent raised goes directly to those who need it most.