KiDS (Kilbride, de Beer – Smit Foundation)

The KiDS Foundation ( now rebranded as the Spirit Education Foundation) was established in 1994 by businessman Ian Kilbride and retired educator Tessa Smit, to provide excellent education opportunities to South African children in financial need. In the past we have sponsored between two and five scholars per year, and in 2007 we added four new scholars to our ‘team’ and committed to support them through their high school years until they matriculated.

During 2009, we supported 5 scholars, from 4 different Cape Town High Schools all of whom were promoted into their next year of study. During 2010 we supported 3 students, one of whom matriculated that year. In 2011, the Solstice Foundation sponsored 3 scholars – two in Grade 11 and one in Grade 12, and in 2012 we supported three scholars, all of whom matriculated at the end of the year.

Most of the scholars from KiDS (93%) have gone on to tertiary education at UCT, Stellenbosch University, CPUT, UWC, Rhodes University, Wits University, NMU in PE, Tsiba Business College, AAA School of Advertising, AFDA Film School or Varsity College. Of these, 90% have completed their courses.

During 2013 we decided to take a break from KiDS scholars, once our sponsored learners had all completed matric, and we have taken on a new education beneficiary, namely COSAT (Centre of Science and Technology) in Khayelitsha.