our history
Education without Borders Founders, Ruth and Cecil Hershler, decide to leave apartheid South Africa but want to make a positive impact before immigrating to Canada. They seek out a black township school to work with. A lasting relationship with Fezeka Senior Secondary school begins. The original site of Fezeka is Phillipi township, outside of Cape Town, South Africa.
The school is in great disrepair. Over the next two years, a library and science lab are created, a hall and fence are built and the roof is repaired.
Fezeka Senior Secondary school burns down in the Soweto riots. The school is relocated to its current site in Gugulethu township, outside of Cape Town, South Africa. Half of the school is housed in temporary portables.
Over the next two years, EwB builds eight new classrooms at Fezeka Senior Secondary school.
Over a three year period, EwB raises funds in Canada to pay off the building loan. During this period, EwB plans the next phase of assistance.
Education without Borders implements a volunteer programme. The first volunteer Canadian teacher arrives at Fezeka Senior Secondary school and teaches Grades 10, 11 and 12 English. The volunteer’s experience helps EwB gain a deeper understanding of the challenges in township schools.
Education without Borders launches a six-week mathematics after-school programme, with six teachers and 150 Grade 9 learners. This initial after-school programme provides the foundation for a more extensive after-school programme.
Education without Borders creates an after-school programme in mathematics and English for Grades 8, 9 and 10. The programme uses university students as tutors. Education without Borders funds photographic arts and dance programmes.
Over two years, EwB funds a library project coordinator.
Education without Borders builds a school garden.
EwB launches its first South African Film Festival (SAFF) in Vancouver, Canada.
A fully functioning library is created at the Fezeka school campus by EwB with support from EwB’s library project coordinator and other partners.
Education without Borders expands its programmes to Mseki Primary school in Gugulethu township.
Education without Borders applies its experience in township schools in South Africa to the Canadian context. It begins to serve Indigenous children and their communities in British Columbia, Canada.
EwB expands its South African Film Festival (SAFF) to Toronto, Canada.
Education without Borders expands its programme to include the Nobantu After School facility in Mfuleni township, outside Cape Town, South Africa.
Education without Borders creates an after-school programme at their fourth site in Bellville South Primary School in collaboration with the Building Bridges organisation.
EwB expands its South African Film Festival (SAFF) to Australia.
Education without Borders expands to a fifth site - Bellville South High School and supports feeding programmes in Gugulethu, Mfuleni and Bellville South to provide relief for COVID - induced food shortages.
SAFF Canada and SAFF Australia convert their festival online in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to COVID-19 pandemic, EwB pivots some of its programmes to online, tablet-based learning.
EwB holds its first virtual South African Film Festival (SAFF) in the USA.
Education without Borders continues to offer hybrid learning programmes in South Africa, including tablet-based learning alongside small group tutorials.
EwB launches a new partnership with PeerLab Tutoring, where South African students receive virtual one-on-one homework assistance from tutors in the United States.
Dr. Corvell Cranfield joins Education without Borders as Director of Education and Operations. Anthea Jansen continues working as EwB Programme Lead.
EwB has a passionate team of four site coordinators in South Africa. An administrative assistant also helps monitor tutors and manages an alumni club.
EwB launches an incentive programme that supports high-achieving learners. Learners receive food coupons and backpacks full of school supplies to support learning and development.
A "wraparound fund" was also established and supports an EwB alumnus to attend university.