Who are the people?
Since the dismantling of the repressive apartheid system of racial segregation in 1994, South Africa has served as a shining example of multi-racial democracy. In spite of this, progress remains slow in the battle against the underlying causes of poverty.
Tremendous gaps persist between the living standards of blacks and whites. White workers earn an average of nine times more than blacks. As a result, millions of black South Africans go without basic services, especially in rural areas. Three in 10 black South Africans lack access to a safe water source and 5 out of every 100 children die in infancy, often from preventable diseases. More than half suffer from stunted growth due to inadequate nutrition.

In response, World Vision is helping communities improve health, sanitation, and electrical services and promote healthful agricultural practices. Sponsorship also provides educational opportunities for boys and girls to help them break free from poverty.

South Africans speak a variety of languages including English, Afrikaans (a Dutch dialect), Zulu, and Xhosa. Your sponsored child probably speaks Zulu or Xhosa as his or her first language and English or Afrikaans as a second tongue.
Since the dismantling of the repressive apartheid system of racial segregation in 1994, South Afric

Country Comparison	South Africa	United States
Population	47.2 million	295.4 million
Land Mass	471,011 sq. mi	3,537,439 sq. miles
Life Expectancy	47 years	78 years
Infant Mortality Rate (per 1,000)	54	7
Literacy Rate	82%	97%
Primary School Enrollment	89%	92%
Access to Safe Water	87%	100%
Average Annual Income (GNI per capita)	$3630	$41,400

Religion

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What is it like to live there?
Located 30 degrees south of the equator, South Africa enjoys a mild climate similar to that of the southern United States. Its seasons, however, are opposite: Summer lasts from mid-November to March.

South Africa boasts a wide variety of beautiful landscapes, from lush forests and breathtaking beaches along the Indian Ocean to the dry, grassy “veld”—or savannah—of the interior plateau. Urban centers such as Johannesburg and Cape Town enjoy “first world” amenities and generally resemble American cities. In contrast, rural villages and townships often lack basic services.

The world’s largest producer of gold and diamonds, South Africa is the powerhouse of the African economy. It accounts for nearly half of the continent’s economic output.

Nevertheless, each year thousands of students in South Africa are forced to leave elementary school to help support their impoverished families. Those who are able to stay in school often receive a substandard education due to the 50-to-1 student/teacher ratio in most poor communities.

Your sponsorship provides educational opportunities for children and encourages parents to keep their children in school.
Located 30 degrees south of the equator, South Africa enjoys a mild climate similar to that of the
South Africa Projects
With the support of generous donors like you, World Vision is partnering with families throughout South Africa to build brighter futures filled with hope for their children.

Many activities are under way to help meet immediate needs and promote lasting changes that will strengthen communities and move families toward self-reliance.

Overall program goals include:

• Equipping families and communities to care for orphans and vulnerable children while providing life-skills training to those affected by HIV and AIDS.
• Conducting immunization campaigns to protect children from deadly diseases.
• Establishing tutoring programs to help struggling students and reduce the dropout rate.
• Organizing AIDS awareness workshops.
• Providing farmers with new seed varieties, tools, and agricultural training to help them grow more nutritious food for their families.
• Organizing Bible studies to nurture Christians in their faith.
• Constructing public latrines to improve sanitary conditions.
• Offering vocational workshops and helping families start small businesses to increase family incomes and build self-sufficiency.
• Partnering with local churches to share God’s love with families throughout the area.

• Pray that churches and families will respond to God's call to care for orphans and widows, especially those affected by the AIDS pandemic.
• Pray that your sponsored child might respond to God’s love and grace.
• Ask God to guide your sponsored child as he or she learns, grows, and moves toward a future full of hope and possibilities. Pray for God to protect the health of your sponsored child and his or her family.

South Africa is participating in our "HopeChild" program to provide additional resources for children and families impacted by HIV/AIDS in this high prevalence region.

Please click here to request a HopeChild from South Africa.