HISTORY OF AFRIKA TIKKUN

They were founded in 1995 by the late Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris and Philanthropist/Businessman Dr Bertie Lubner. Initially, the day to day needs of children was a priority but soon after, the organisation evolved into one focused on overall development. Renamed MaAfrika Tikkun and later Afrika Tikkun, their approach was refined and reformulated into the Cradle to Career 360° model. This Model is aimed at providing education, health and social services to young people and their families through centres of excellence in South African townships. Their main goal is to create a sustainable future for the youth of South Africa and the credibility of this cause won the support of the organisations Patron-in-Chief  in memoriam, Nelson Mandela. Since then, they have built 4 centres of excellence across Gauteng and 1 in the Western Cape.

REASON THEY EXIST

The primary objective of Afrika Tikkun is to provide holistic development in disadvantaged communities. They aim to empower young people by affording them the opportunity to receive gainful education, good health care, nutrition and support for their families. In doing so, they equalise the playing field for unprivileged young people so that they have the same employment opportunities that privileged youth have. They offer a number of programmes that ensure an all rounded person as the outcome. Their 360 degree Model of care consists of three programmes, namely: Early Childhood Development, Child and Youth Development, and Career Development. Additionally, they have programmes which support their 360 degree Model, namely: Family Support Services, Primary Health Care, The Empowerment Programme, and Nutrition and Food Security Programme.