Advance Edukos Foundation was founded in June 2020 by Wendy Abrahams, a seasoned educator and counselor. Amidst the global pandemic, Wendy dedicated herself to supporting children in her community through academic tutoring, therapeutic art sessions, and psychosocial assistance. Drawing from two decades of experience and a deep commitment to youth development, this initiative laid the foundation for Advance Edukos Foundation.
Our name combines "Advance," symbolizing purposeful progress, and "Edukos," derived from the Greek word for education, signifying learning from within. Our mission is to create a nurturing environment where young people can forge new friendships, develop strong social and emotional skills, and regain a sense of optimism for their future. Central to our values is restoring individual responsibility, empowering youth to pursue their dreams and transition into adulthood with confidence and fulfillment.
Wendy's foremost concern was establishing purposeful pathways and programmes to guide and support adolescents and youth through their school years and into the workforce. In September 2020, the organization was officially registered, and as they say, the rest is history.
Why focus on youth development? Wendy herself became a single teenage mother at 17, facing numerous challenges thereafter. This life-altering experience, coupled with a lack of community support, necessitated her to work exceptionally hard to sustain herself and her daughter, often with the assistance of her parents. Enduring insults from the local community, who dismissed her prospects and labeled her life as troubled, served as a catalyst for her to strive for personal excellence despite minimal support and encouragement.
Wendy embarked on a journey of education, initially returning to night school to obtain her Matric. She went on to earn a degree in Education followed by an Honours Degree in Psychosocial Education. Over the years, she has completed numerous accredited courses, including counseling, community art facilitation, facilitation, assessor and moderator training, financial management, fundraising, marketing, and human resource legislation, among others. Wendy remains dedicated to her own learning journey and is currently pursuing a Masters in Socio Education.
"Every child deserves a safe space to explore, create, and simply be themselves; we strive to create such spaces for adolescents and young people from vulnerable communities," Wendy Abrahams emphasizes.
In many underserved communities, high rates of primary and high school dropouts, coupled with the pervasive influence of gangsterism, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, and social ignorance, create a cycle of poverty, crime, and limited opportunities. Young people, often lacking positive role models and access to educational support, are vulnerable to these destructive influences. Additionally, misinformation and stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS further exacerbate health crises, leaving individuals and families without essential knowledge or resources for prevention and treatment.
The absence of adequate community support systems, safe spaces for youth development, and educational reinforcement has deepened social inequalities and perpetuated generational cycles of disadvantage. Without targeted interventions to address these interconnected challenges, the community remains trapped in a cycle of systemic social ills that hinder progress and sustainable development.
Advance Edukos Foundation seeks to address these critical issues through education, awareness campaigns, mentorship programmes, and community-driven initiatives aimed at empowering individuals, fostering resilience, and creating opportunities for a better future.
A World where every young person aspires to be a better version of themselves.
Advance Edukos Foundation is an active registered non-profit organisation with strong partnerships that create purposeful pathways for young people through education, health, art, and skills development.