Our Approach

Vision

Imagine Scholar provides unique, personalized education to promising and motivated youth from disadvantaged communities in South Africa’s rural Nkomazi region.  We strive to effect profound change on individual lives and empower the next generation of African leaders through creative, multidimensional development.  Imagine Scholar aspires not to help students merely get by, but to give them the tools to be the difference makers of their generation and bring about lasting change in their communities.

Structure

Imagine Scholar’s primary program is the Imagine Academy, an intensive four-year, twice-a-week after school mentorship program for select secondary school students.  We also provide study help and personal support outside of class in order to give the students every opportunity to succeed.  We began working with our first class of Imagine Scholars in August 2010.  Going forward, we will accept ten 9th graders each year, building to a total enrollment of 40 scholars preparing for professional achievement and success in the wider world.  We envision a network of current and former Imagine Scholars fostering each other’s growth and acting as inspirational examples for the community.

Guiding Principles

1. Education is the most powerful path to empowerment and sustainable change.
2. Lasting change in a community must come from within.  Empowering local leaders is the most effective way to transform a community.
3. An open mind among all parties is essential for meaningful growth.
4. Learning should never be boring.  The best education takes advantage of children’s inherent passion to learn.
5. All parties must bring their own passion.  The organization’s commitment to excellence needs to fully meet and reciprocate the scholar’s personal determination.  This exchange brings empowerment, not charity.

6. Quality, not quantity, is central.  An outstanding, individualized education to motivated students offers boundless opportunities.