About Us
Bright Start was founded in 2008 to create access to quality education for children in the poor communities of Hout Bay affected by crime, poverty, drugs, xenophobia and poor infrastructure.
Our mission aligns with Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) seeks to ensure : “inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.
Bright Start offers two programmes: Education Sponsorship and Learning Intervention (Tutor Programme)
Vision
Bright Start students will receive a quality education combined with strong interpersonal skills to secure opportunities in the workforce or tertiary education contributing to the economic transformation of South Africa.
Mission
Bright Start seeks to address the education crisis in South Africa by providing access to quality education for historically disadvantaged children.
The Education Support Programme targets needs outside the classroom including cultural, physical and social-emotional development to ensure learners achieve their potential.
The tutor programme provides urgent learning interventions to students at risk of failure.
“The government could collaborate with the private sector to improve both access to and quality of education.
Partnerships with NGOs and building on successful pilots in some provinces could expand the networks of affordable schools and enhance learning efficiently”.
Satu Kahkonen, World Bank Country Director for South Africa.
Partners
Thank you to Virgin Wines for your support
Our Trustees
We are a volunteer team committed to furthering the goals of Bright Start Education and Mentorship Programme in South Africa.
Tony Pringle - Chair
Tony enjoyed a successful career in electronic publishing, leading around 500 people as Global Head of Sales across Bureau van Dijk’s 30 offices worldwide. He and his wife Claire sponsor Bright Start kids and fund the Brian Cooper Scholarship at Durham University, in honour of Claire’s father. Tony has recently been inducted into the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, one of the oldest livery companies of the City of London, through which he hopes to be able support many good causes with a particular focus on the environment and sustainability.
Amy von Engelhardt
Capetonian Amy von Engelhardt moved to the Netherlands in October 2018 with her husband and two children. She has over 18 years’ experience in business administration and finance background, and currently works for an international architectural firm within the finance team. Amy looks forward to helping Bright Start expand and grow its much-needed Foundation in the UK and across the EU.
Wendy Garrard
Having served as a headteacher for almost thirty years, Wendy continues to keep active in a range of educational contexts. She enjoys Coaching and mentoring School Leaders, supporting schools and academies as a trustee and by providing training events and programmes. She also works as an Associate and Professional Tutor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge. Wendy has visited South Africa many times over the years and regards it as a “home from home”, because the people are so welcoming.
Andrew Porton
Andrew is a familiar face in the UK wine industry. He lives in London where he is Managing Director of The Wine Fusion, a creative wine production company which he founded in 2008. In that capacity he has made many buying trips to South Africa. His involvement with Bright Start is his way of trying to make a small difference, and to give something back to a special place that has brought him so many amazing memories over the years. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, travelling, theatre and music.
Zilla Stekhoven
South African born, living now in Munich. A qualified solicitor in South Africa, Zilla has worked in senior roles in multiple industries and sectors, in operational data management, business and process analytics, to name a couple. Her biggest wish is now to help touch the lives of disadvantaged families in South Africa through enabling charitable giving.
André Strydom
André is based in Johannesburg and is a chartered accountant with more than 12 years’ experience in audit, accounting, tax and finance. He enjoys a challenge and has a passion for triathlons – so doesn’t have a problem with swimming in the deep end! He now turns his love of a challenge to helping Bright Start UK navigate its way through the complex world of charity accounting.
Charity Details
UK Charity Registration Number: 1193085
Charity Name: BRIGHT START EDUCATION AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME