The Dr Bettye Bouey-Yates Educational Foundation, incorporated in the District of Columbia in 2003, was established to enrich the educational experience of South African school children. The Foundation began informally in 1998 after a visit to South Africa by a group of tourists led by Bettye Yates. The group, while touring near Durban, expressed an interest in visiting a primary school. Their guide took them to the Christianenberg Primary School in Claremont, Kwa Zulu-Natal. The school was historically significant for it was the first one established for African children in the black township of Claremont. Dating from 1884, the school was built on mission land by Lutheran missionaries.

Over the years support for Christianenberg had diminished. Buildings had deteriorated and basic educational tools were practically nonexistent. The school was required to be self sufficient which was almost impossible considering the high rate of unemployment in the area. There was no sports field, and after school activities were restricted to a small area around the buildings.

Today Christianenberg is a public primary school. The Department of Education and Culture, which has a 100 year lease on this Lutheran Church property, provides maintenance; the school and community are responsible for all structural developments. Each year since 1998, Bettye Yates South African adventure travelers have visited the school. The support of the travelers has been essential in helping the Foundation provide the school with the following:

• Basic education supplies
• Electronic equipment
• Computers and books
• A large (concrete) all purpose sports field
• A very generously stocked library
• An educational exploratory two-week visit to the United States by the school principal and librarian
• Replacement / repair of all broken windows
• Dictionaries for 2008 graduating seniors

 

 

Mission Statement

"To enrich lives, by sharing and fostering well being through educational support for the children of the Christianenberg Primary School."

The Foundation will continue to provide support to the school with funds generated from the Board, Foundation members, and concerned citizens. If you wish to become a member or make a contribution, please contact one of our board members or our Vice President, James Moore at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For more information about the foundation please visit our website at www.bbyatesedufoundation.org

The Dr. Bettye Bouey-Yates Educational Foundation is a non-profit (501)©(3) organization.