Helping underprivileged girls gain quality STEM education

Molo Mhlaba
Montclair, South Africa

THE ORGANIZATION

Molo Mhlaba is a public benefit nonprofit organization based in Khayelitsha, South Africa, dedicated to providing safe, affordable, and quality education for girls in impoverished communities. Their schools feature a Montessori-inspired curriculum that incorporates project-based learning in STEM fields, early literacy development, nutritious meals, physical and artistic education, and after-school programs. Molo Mhlaba focuses on the most vulnerable demographic: young girls living in urban townships.

The name "Molo Mhlaba" means "Hello World," symbolizing their belief that the world is full of possibilities and that every girl can achieve her dreams.

The project

During the pandemic, Molo Mhlaba faced significant challenges due to the economic and humanitarian impact of COVID-19, nearly losing the rented buildings that housed their schools. This experience served as a wake-up call, prompting them to actively seek a permanent location for the school, free from costly leases and short-term rental agreements.

This project was crucial for ensuring the school’s long-term sustainability, both financially and in terms of infrastructure. Molo Mhlaba purchased land and secured municipal approval for an 11-classroom school building. Funding from Kids First covered the construction costs of one classroom in this new facility.

Additionally, Kids First awarded Molo Mhlaba a grant to cover the costs of furnishing the classroom and providing Montessori learning materials.

The new Molo Mhlaba classroom helps provide quality STEM education to young girls and foster the future leaders of South Africa and beyond." Rethabile, Executive Director of Molo Mhlaba Schools says, “I have dreams and hopes for the girls in terms of what I want them to do in the future, but I know that a lot of them will leave our school to do great things in society. They’ll be leaders in industry. We have a president in waiting. And we have people who are really conscious about what South Africa needs and what Africa needs. So for me, if all of them leave our schools and go into the world and do something that addresses some of the inequality, some of the injustice in the world, then I’m happy."

Learn more on YouTube: Helping Under-Privileged Girls Gain Quality Education