18twenty8 is an award-winning, women-led Non Profit Organisation that empowers young women, from disadvantaged backgrounds, by developing strategies for their educational and personal development.
We encourage young women, predominantly between the ages of 18 and 28, to view higher education as an attractive and necessary tool for their empowerment. We help you save on tax!
We have carved a niche for ourselves by being one of a few organisations in South Africa that is 100% led by young women who empower other young women. Being young, female and previously disadvantaged ensures that our approach remains empathetic, skills-enhancing and relevant to the young women we serve since we have experienced some of our beneficiaries' challenges first-hand. We are well-positioned with youth in the communities we serve.
Our Mission:
- To provide financial assistance for the higher educational needs of deserving young women
- To provide role models and mentors through our Big Sister Network
- To have constructive conversations with young women
- To provide general support to young women of school-leaving age as they undertake tertiary studies or prepare for their first jobs
- To assist young women with the development of life goals and career plans
18twenty8 encourages young women to value their education because educated women are not only empowered, they are also more likely to confer the benefits of their education to others than their male counterparts are. Although our main aim is to support young women between the ages of 18 and 28, those outside of this age bracket may also be considered. 18twenty8 provides young women with access to the resources that are necessary for them to be successful in their social, academic, emotional and professional lives.
Lack of education and a lack of access to resources contribute to the social ills that poor communities experience such as hunger, unemployment, substance abuse, unplanned pregnancy, poverty and HIV/AIDS which is exacerbated by transactional sex. High and rising divorce and male incarceration rates are a contributory factor to the number of female-headed households within these communities. A consequence of these female-headed households is the disproportionate burden of domestic responsibility that rests on the girls within them. These responsibilities often include caring for younger siblings. These factors disrupt the schooling of many young women and stifle their personal development. Furthermore, without an education, women's career prospects and earning potential are limited. There is a strong need for an empowerment initiative like 18twenty8.
We want to reach as many young women from disadvantaged backgrounds in South Africa as possible and help them to become qualified and competent professionals in all sectors of the economy.
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