Our aim is to create a united voice for students around the globe. We believe that technology can enable us to bring about positive change in our communities. The internet enables us to communicate with students from around the world and share our stories. By embracing our differences, we can work together towards a brighter future.

We are a mix of students from privileged and underprivileged communities connecting online. Some of us have never used the internet before but we are learning fast from our online mentors.

Despite our different backgrounds we serve a common goal: we are students who want to make a positive impact on humanity.

By having online buddies from different communities, we share our experiences and find ways in which we can collaborate. It’s almost like a United Nations for students. Some of us report on community projects, others organise fundraising events and others do voluntary work to benefit our communities.

We believe students are able to change the future. Our voices matters! Raise your voice with us by joining us today.

Introduction

This initiative was started by our three online mentors in 2008. While working with youngsters in The Netherlands and students in South African township Khayelitsha, they felt the need to create a place for us to make our voices heard. The two European ladies (one living in South Africa) exchanged experiences with a South African developer (living in the United Kingdom). By sharing their experiences it inspired them to create the Students for Humanity website, a project supported by the Dutch foundation “Stichting Umeebee” in The Netherlands.

Who we are

Students

The Cosat Learners: We are 28 students from the Centre of Science and Technology (COSAT). Our ages range from 16-18. Most of us live in Khayelitsha, a township near Cape Town. We are very excited to be the first grassroots reporters on this website. None of us have computers at home and only a few of us own a mobile phone. English is not our first language – our mother tongue is Xhosa. We are looking forward to share our culture with you and learn more about yours.

How to get involved

You need to create a team of at least ten students, who are passionate about making a difference in the world. Once you’ve got a team together you can apply to become contributors to our website.

The initiators

Frerieke van Bree is our online media mentor, teaching us about the internet and all it’s possibilities. She grew up in The Netherlands, where she received her Master Degree of Architecture at the Technical University of Delft. After following her heart to South Africa, she has been living and working in South Africa as an architect and teacher in the townships since 2006. Frerieke is passionate about humanity and connecting people through technology. She believes in empowering the youth by making technology accessible and understandable for all so their voices can be heard.

Nonkululeko Godana A lively and manifest citizen of the “information society”, writer-cum-poet-cum-cultural activist, Nonkululeko Godana has come into her own as a consummate media personality; having dabbled with success in radio, television, print, citizen journalism and the new media. A RAU (BA Journalism) graduate and Online Journalism specialist, Nonkululeko also has her ear to the urban culture scene. She was at the forefront of the poetry movement, managing established poets and assisting aspiring young writers with writing skills. She has also taken to stage in spoken word performance and modeled for fashion editorials. Nonkululeko teaches the students at the Students for humanity project to write great stories and create great podcasts. She serves as a role model, editor and friend to all!

André Vermeulen is a software developer who has grown up and studied in South Africa. Since 2003, he and his wife have been working and living in the United Kingdom. In this time he has realized that he wants to use his technical skills to make a positive change in South Africa. He is passionate about using software to enable social transformation. André is taking care of all the technical needs of the Students for Humanity website. He is involved in another community-based website (www.hopefeedr.com) for a project in Kayamandi in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Zamo Nkatshu is a broadcast journalist who is passionate about issues affecting young people in South Africa and the entire continent of Africa. She has used and continues to use her position in the media industry to afford various young people from various provinces, who share the same passion and have undertaken various roles to make a difference in their respective communities , a platform to be heard and also influence other young people with their inspiring community-uplifting stories. It is this passion, dedication and compassion that led Zamo to the inspiring world of Students For Humanity and as a founder of (another) youth-driven movement called the Young Active Citizens, Zamo’s daily life is influenced by the below pledge she made:
“My passion lies in social activism. I therefore pledge to dedicate my time in raising awareness about pertinent issues of social and national concern affecting young people and I will exhaust my inner compulsion and dedication that outweighs any cost in time. And I’m doing all of this for the unconditional love I have for my country and the people who live in it, especially those who are voiceless, yet full of optimism.”

Eline Elias is a super passionate 18-year old student, born and raised in the Netherlands. She is studying in The Netherlands to become a teacher in economics. During her practical training in 2007, her love for students and teaching were further cemented. She is now, more then ever, motivated to convert her three major passions: education, developmental projects and Africa into action. She believes in making a positive change in the world and is excited to do this through the Students for Humanity project. She is currently mentoring Dutch students to become contributors to this website.