Shaping Communities For The Better
For All of Us
The Vassie Rajah Foundation, founded by Vassie Rajah’s family in 2019, carries forward a generational legacy that prides itself on community development, empowerment and a lifelong commitment to continue the humanitarian effort handed down from past generations. As a highly respected Educator and Sportsman, Mr Rajah dedicated 38 years to the teaching profession and is honoured as a Sports Veteran in KwaZulu-Natal. “Quickly and quietly,” was the mantra his students often recall and serves as an ode to his life’s work which was performed with the utmost humility, dedication and care. His legacy now lives through his wife, Shamala Rajah, and his three children who aspire to continue and grow on his educational and sporting contributions to the local community through the work of this foundation.
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About THE VR FOUNDATION
About The VR Foundation
1. Education
Through the Foundation, learners arising from poverty-stricken communities are assisted through tutoring, mentorship and counselling in various aspects. Those learners who show significant academic potential in various subjects including mathematics and science, are identified and provided with bursaries to assist them in completing their schooling. The Foundation aims to improve learners in the vital mathematics and science fields through various events undertaken, including Olympiads, competitions and expos.
We appreciate that the key to a successful schooling journey is the provision and integration of various ancillary support together with academics; some of which are sponsored by the foundation, including:
- School fees for the poverty-stricken
- School uniforms
- School lunch packs
- Stationery
- Textbooks
- School excursions
2. Health
The Foundation aims to partner with relevant stakeholders to improve the outcomes in the Public Sector Health Systems. We are committed to providing awareness on women’s health issues, school hygiene, conduct research into Public Health Systems globally and provide advice in areas that will enhance a healthy lifestyle.
3. Poverty Alleviation
The Foundation recognises the vast challenge that South Africans face in that many of them are homeless, have no food and basic services. We will endeavour to assist poor communities through providing them with food hampers, school uniforms, toiletries, medical supplies and other much needed items. We will engage with the relevant public sector institutions to ensure that their limited resources are well spent and lobbying private sector to allow our team to assist poor communities as part of their corporate social responsibility.
4. Sport
As an esteemed player, coach and administrator in the local sporting realm, Mr Rajah’s dedication to sport is furthered through these sporting projects. In addition to the cultivation of teamwork skills, leadership qualities, competitive thinking and self-confidence, we recognize that sport is central to achieving a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle and in keeping our youth involved in a constructive alternative during free time.
Learners who express special potential in various sports including soccer, cricket, netball, volleyball and swimming are also awarded with bursaries and are offered further access to sporting equipment, coaching and sporting mentorship.
Every child’s wellbeing is important to us. To rally interest and show that sport is not exclusively reserved for those with professional potential, the foundation is also dedicated to offering open coaching and a variety of sporting events.
The Vassie Rajah Foundation has been established to contribute to a better society. We will be going back to basics, teaching young people the importance of:
- Handshakes
- Playing to the rules
- Encouraging others
- Winning with grace and losing with dignity
- Playing fair and respecting opponents
- Welcoming new teammates to the group
- Respecting the referee’s decisions
- Being positive with others
- Good manners
- Fair play and sportsmanship
- Communicating positively.
Our Purpose
To transform disadvantaged communities, we will collaborate and partner with other private and public sector stakeholders who share our mission and vision. We will engage in fundraising and event coordination exercises to promote education, sport and health in local Pietermaritzburg schools with the aim of expanding our programme initiatives to the rest of KwaZulu-Natal.