The initiative is part of a series of ideas by the South African registered non-profit organisation. One School at a Time (OSAAT), that aim to inspire children to dream bigger than ever before - to reach for the stars.
Since its establishment in 2008, OSAAT has been committed to creating a world-class education system in South Africa, by supporting and motivating students in township schools, starting with current partner schools Forte High in Soweto and Itirele-Zenzele High in Diepsloot. The initiatives by OSAAT have led to Forte High's matric pass rate increasing from 52% in 2008 to 93% in 2014.
This year the team at OSAAT, in collaboration with communications group Joe Public United, asked some important questions: How do you continually inspire children who struggle to receive even basic needs such as food and clothing, and who are often without parents or role models? How do you elevate the power of inspiration without the usual suspects (politicians, teachers, business executives, motivational speakers, celebrity role models, etc.)?
"This is why we came up with Project Space - an initiative that aims to inspire our children to believe that they can do great things, no matter what their background or circumstances," says Bronwyn James, MD of OSAAT.
"We contacted Space Adventures, and they connected us with Padalka who is currently part of the International Space Station Expedition 43/44," says James, "Padalka agreed to record a radio message whilst in space about how he achieved his dream of becoming a Cosmonaut. We approached Ultimate Media, who bought Talk Radio 702 onboard as partners to broadcast the message to Forte High."
The pupils at Forte High gathered in classrooms on Friday, 17 April to listen to the radio broadcast of Padalka sharing his inspirational story of how he studied and worked hard to achieve his dream to (literally) reach the stars.
Watch the video on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, and join the #RFTS (Reach For The Stars) conversation to help us inspire our children across the country, not just in Soweto.
