The Kusasa Project is a South African registered public benefit organization (PBO), with its primary operations consisting of an independently-funded Early Learning Centre in the Western Cape of South Africa, known as The Kusasa Project Early Learning Centre.

Three pillars

The centre was founded in 2006 by Dave Riordan and Doug Gurr to provide a quality education and encourage a brighter future for underprivileged children in an area characterised by significant wealth inequality. The Early Learning Centre offers places to approximately 125 children aged four to nine with a core focus on fundamental reading, writing, maths and communication skills, and an additional emphasis on nutritional and mental health, self-confidence, personal responsibility, community and social engagement. It aims to encourage academic curiosity and achievement and sporting and life skills development for the disadvantaged local children, taking a mission-focussed and committed approach. Addleshaw Goddard says it has committed to a corporate social responsibility agenda framed around the objective of unlocking young potential. This aims to make an active contribution through supporting young people to reach their full potential through three pillars: access to education, access to the profession and access to work.

Amazing kids

Dave Riordan, co-founder of The Kusasa Project, said “We are incredibly fortunate and pleased to have the opportunity to partner with a firm like Addleshaw Goddard in our mission of providing an outstanding educational foundation to the amazing kids of South Africa.” Mr Riordan added, “Addleshaw Goddard's commitment to a partnership with us demonstrates the firm’s appreciation for the life-changing impact of a strong educational start and the right of every child to have access to excellent teaching in a supportive environment.” James Herring, Addleshaw Goddard's London office csr partner, said “Addleshaw Goddard is fully committed to our corporate social responsibility strategy of unlocking young potential.” Mr Herring added, “This international charity partnership gives us the opportunity to work alongside a great organisation which is helping to deliver a better future for children.”