The average child in South Africa isn't necessarily spending class time messaging friends and making online purchases. Instead, child-headed households, absentee teachers and poor-quality teachers are an all-too-often occurrence.
With this just the tip of the iceberg for many, it may seem an impossible task to keep scholars inspired, motivated and believing that jobs and careers are a possibility for them...
Non-profit organisation One School at a Time (OSAAT) took this to heart and came up with an out-of-this-world - literally - initiative to inspire South African school children and give them world-class education.
The first step involved Russian cosmonaut, Gennady Padalka, doing a recorded broadcast from space to school children in Soweto on 17 April 2015, as he orbited over Africa. Watch the 'Project Space' video embedded below or view Padalka's special broadcast full screen by clicking here.
OSAAT now wants to expand its reach by encouraging sponsorships to make an even bigger difference to sub-standard schools in South Africa.
Click here for more information on the initiative, and follow @OSAAT_SA on Twitter and join the #RFTS (Reach for the Stars) conversation to stake your claim.
