Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is TaC?
'Teach a Child - Africa' (TaC) is an organisation which supports children who have been orphaned by AIDS to complete their secondary education. We provide bursaries to children in Africa so that they can finish school and develop the skills to fight poverty and reach their potential in life. TaC was founded by Pamela Steele in 2006. It currently works in sub-Saharan Africa.
2. Who does TaC help?
We help AIDS orphans in Africa regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion or political affiliation. At present we run a pilot project in Kenya but we hope to expand elsewhere. An equal number of girls and boys have been selected from the local districts based on their financial need and academic ability.
3. Why does TaC focus on secondary education?
In many African countries primary education is free but secondary education has to be paid for by a child's family. Because of this, many AIDS orphans do not have the opportunity to go to secondary school. Without an education these children remain trapped in a life of poverty. TaC supports these boys and girls to get the education they need so they can fulfil their potential and find work or enter higher education. Research and experience has also shown that education is crucial in lowering the rates of HIV infection among young people and in addressing poverty and gender inequality.
4. Why don't the extended families help the children?
The extended family is Africa's traditional support system but in many places it is unable to cope with the scale of the HIV and AIDS pandemic. Many orphans only receive help from elderly grandmothers who do not have a sustainable income to pay for school fees and other basic necessities. Other children have to fend for themselves in households without any adults, often acting as the main breadwinner and taking on caring responsibilities of younger siblings, cousins and even neighbours' children who have lost their parents.
5. Why don't governments help the children?
Many have criticised governments for not doing more. Whether because of corruption, poverty or neglect the children have not received the help they need and TaC maybe their only hope. In many poor countries the infrastructure and support systems that we have in the UK and other wealthy nations do not exist. Many poor countries struggle to provide even basic social services and are dependent on international aid to do this. Some countries have also suffered from years of conflict and natural disasters which have left governments weak with complex and numerous issues to address. Sub-Saharan Africa is the world's poorest continent and has been hit hardest by HIV and AIDS. The sheer scale of the pandemic means that support from outside is vital.
6. What makes TaC different?
TaC is a small voluntary organisation, made up of unpaid volunteers with the skills, experience and expert knowledge of the issues we are working on. We only work in places where we have first-hand knowledge of the local community and where we can ensure that your money is used wisely to meet the real needs of the children.
7. Who funds TaC?
To date all our funding has come from individuals like you. It is your giving that enables TaC to bring hope to the children by giving them the education they need to fulfil their dreams.
8. Why does it cost £250 per year to support a child?
£250 is a guide to the cost of sending a child to boarding school for one year. The actual amount can vary from one school to another and from one year to another. Some schools may be cheaper but do not provide the same quality of education.
9. How much does TaC spend on administration?
TaC is a voluntary organisation so your money does not pay anyone's wages. However there are overheads associated with fund-raising and managing the projects but we budget 90% of our income to provide direct support for the children.
10. How does TaC guard against corruption?
To ensure that our country office spends your money effectively, we have a simplified and robust process for financial reporting. Our money goes directly to the schools without passing through any other hands, not even the governments. That way, we reduce any chance of corruption, fraud or misuse of our funds.
11. How is TaC governed?
TaC is registered with the Charity Commission in the UK and the NGOs' Coordination Board in Kenya. We are governed by national boards of trustees with much experience of working for other NGOs including Oxfam, World Vision, Future Internationals and the United Nations.
