Equipping Africa's futurethrough education

Changemaker: Juliana Kuetezang

Country of implementation: South Africa

In underserved communities across South Africa, particularly among refugees, orphans, and single-mother-headed families, access to quality education and tertiary opportunities remains limited. Life of Purpose, an NGO co-founded by Juliana and Catherina Kuetezang, who are former refugees, together with a team of young people under the age of 35, are addressing this challenge through the 'Equipping Africa’s Future Through Education' Project, directly contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education.

What began in 2024 as small donation drives has become a long-term initiative to empower youth through education.

Drawing from our experiences of being raised in hardship and struggling to access school supplies, we are committed to breaking barriers for the next generation. From September 2025 to November 2026, the project will operate in Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Cape Town, targeting learners aged 14–20 who are at risk of dropping out due to poverty and lack of resources. We will provide essential school materials such as books, bags, uniforms, and stationery, alongside mentorship and bursary-application workshops. Activities include career guidance sessions, mentorship sessions, inspirational talks by young professionals with shared experiences, and on-site scholarship support to help students apply for scholarships and tertiary education.

The project is led by a diverse team of youth professionals: lawyers, bioinformaticians, technologists, food scientists, and consultants, many of whom have lived as refugees and have faced the same struggles our beneficiaries face. In collaboration with the  Mastercard Foundation Scholars program at the University of Pretoria, the team combines expertise with empathy to deliver relevant mentorship and support. By the end of the 12-month cycle, the initiative aims to reach at least 150 children and youth, helping them stay in school, transition to higher education, and move forward into a purposeful future.