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Partners Across The Ocean

Sisonke Sakha Ingomsa~Building Tomorrow, Together

A public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Tax Code

Tax Identification Number EIN 33-1145646

Key Initiatives of Partners Across The Ocean
Technology Initiative	Exchange Students	Teacher Training

Exchange Student Program

Within our own community no aspect of our program has had greater impact then our exchange students. In 2003 our local Rotary club hosted two young ladies, Nozipho Ngwendu and Sinazo Nombewu. In 2006 we brought a young man, Mzolisi Kene, to the United States. All three of these young people came from Khayelitsha Township and spent a year at Zion-Benton Township High School and resided in our community hosted by various families. They were placed in classes within ZBTHS appropriate to their academic skill but also would prepare them for returning to their home education system. Each student excelled while here in the United States. Upon completion of their exchange year they returned to South Africa to finish their secondary educations and then proceeded to the university level.

Moreover, the exchange students provided many benefits to our overall community and raised the awareness of Africa in our area. The students each presented before an exhaustive list of community organizations and each found their individual place with these that matched their ambitions. Simply stated, the students were wonderful ambassadors for South Africa to the United States.

Where are they now?

Nozipho Ngwendu spent her first year after high school attending a night school program in an effort to strengthen her academic skills as she was not pleased with her results. She also held a part time job and volunteered in the health care facilities in the area. She then enrolled at the Cape University of Technology and graduated in April of 2007. She currently is employed by the South African Defense Forces as a Dental Hygienist.

Sinazo Nombewu completed high school and actually earned an Exemption for her studies one of the highest marks you can obtain in South African education. She enrolled at Rhodes University in Grahamstown and is currently in the third year of a four year Business Communications degree majoring in Management and Information Systems.

Mzolisi Kene did not return to his school in Khayelitsha upon finishing his year as his family had been relocated from their squatter camp to a more permanent home in a different township. We placed him at the Cape Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology and he actually made the difficult decision to not only do one but to add an extra year of high school. He will begin his grade 12 year in January of 2008.