Social Investment

The Moravian Learning Foundation Trust — education, training and development for the rural communities around our mission stations.

Why this, and not something easier

MCiSA’s social investment objective is to support and facilitate the realisation of the Moravian Learning Foundation Trust’s objectives. We chose education because it is the one investment that compounds in a community rather than in an account.

The Church has an inherent relationship with a substantial segment of the rural population at its mission stations and their surrounds — through employment, service provision, and the use of land and environment. That relationship is why the Foundation reaches people a conventional programme would not.

Build the institution

To establish and operate an educational institution of a public character, primarily for rural communities in and around the mission stations of the Moravian Church in South Africa — through qualified staff and appropriate buildings and equipment.

Fund the individual

To grant bursaries to deserving applicants to study further at other educational or vocational institutions, covering tuition, books, and board and lodging.

Objectives of the Trust

Extract from the Trust Deed

The objective and purpose of the Trust shall be to utilise donations and other accruals to the Trust to establish a special fund in the Republic of South Africa to be used exclusively for the establishment, and through the appointment of qualified staff and the provision of appropriate buildings and equipment, to operate an educational institution of a public character primarily for the rural communities situate in and the surrounds of the mission stations of the Moravian Church in South Africa.

To grant bursaries to deserving applicants to study further at other educational or vocational institutions provided that this shall be in furtherance of the objective set out above, such bursaries shall be for the defrayal of any expenditure directly incurred including the expenditure for board and lodging, books and tuition.

Aims of the Foundation

Education and literacy

Basic education — literacy, numeracy and communication.
Promoting a culture of reading and information literacy.
Computer laboratory.
Library.
Lifeskills training for children and adults.

Livelihoods and enterprise

Agriculture.
Small business development.
Entrepreneurship and innovation.
Project management.
Organisational development.
Leadership.
A model for sustainable agrarian reform.

Health and social care

Ancillary health care — HIV/AIDS education, awareness and counselling.
Home-based health care.
Social care.
Water safety and rescue skills for rural primary schools, to reduce drownings in farm dams.

Foundation trustees

Three trustees, being Directors for the time being of MCiSA Investment Holdings.
Two trustees, being the President for the time being of the MCSA and the Vice President (Finance and Property).
Two trustees who are educators, nominated by the Directors of MCiSA Investment Holdings.

Where the Foundation works

Initially based at a school in the farming area on top of Piketberg Mountain.
Extending to other areas in South Africa, including Mvenyane.
Sited in country supplying a substantial share of South Africa’s local and export fruit.
Adjacent to MCSA agricultural land used as training ground.

Support the Foundation

Partnerships, bursary contributions and enquiries are welcome.