WATERFORD KAMHLABA United World College of Southern Africa Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa (WK) is a remarkable and pioneering secondary school based in Mbabane, Swaziland. Since 1963 it has provided exceptional levels of academic achievement, personal growth and leadership development for students from across southern Africa and beyond. Today the school's intake reflects Africa's current challenges: poverty, conflict, HIV/AIDS, and a damaged society with a high proportion of orphaned young people. At Waterford education changes lives. We believe passionately that more African young people must be given access to education of the highest standards to enable them to unlock their potential. Waterford Kamhlaba delivers that opportunity to disadvantaged African students of ability and potential via our African Bursary Programme. 30% of our students receive bursaries. Ethos Vision Waterford Kamhlaba UWC strives to lay the foundations for its graduates to become responsible citizens both of Africa and of the world, creating a network of people with the intellectual skills, broad outlook and sense of purpose to provide leadership to this and future generations. Kamhlaba Waterford School was opened on a mountainside site on the edge of Mbabane, Swaziland, in 1963 by British founding head teacher Michael Stern OBE. In 1967 His Majesty King Sobhuza II, Ngwenyama of Swaziland, granted the title “Kamhlaba”, eloquently describing Waterford's culturally rich and diverse community thus, “We are all of the earth, which does not see differences of colour, religion or race. We are 'Kamhlaba' - all of one world". UWC In 1981 Waterford Kamhlaba joined the United World Colleges movement (www.uwc.org). UWC is an organization of 13 colleges worldwide, all sharing the UWC mission: “UWC makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future ”. UWC students from around the world join WK for the two year IB programme. The IB student body is made up of around 75% drawn from within Africa, with 25% coming via the UWC National Committee structure which operates in more than 130 countries worldwide to select and support students of promise who share the UWC ideals. Exceptional Education Academic Excellence Waterford consists of Forms One to Five, with Form Five sitting the International GCSE qualification, followed by two years dedicated to the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB). In the IB years our students are joined by young people from around the world selected through the UWC movement. Community Involvement A core part of Waterford's curriculum is the Community Service programme, through which every student takes part in activities in partnership with local organizations which benefit some of the most disadvantaged communities in Swaziland. Around 25 projects tackle a wide range of issues including HIV education, counseling and testing, TB education, maths support for orphans at the local SOS Children's village, hearing and sight testing, environmental projects, clean water initiatives and care for disabled young people living in a ward of the government hospital. The Community Service programme incorporates leadership training and teamwork, instilling the belief that you can make a difference. 1 Partners Waterford Kamhlaba works in partnership with a number of organizations in Africa to identify and select students of ability and potential. These include: • SOS Children's Villages in Angola, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland • The Alexandra Education Committee, South Africa • The Capernaum Trust in Zimbabwe, Burundi and Lesotho Life after Waterford. History suggests that the majority of our African students return to Africa after their studies or at some stage during their career and play a vital part in the development and growth of the continent, with many Waterford alumni now holding senior business, political and community positions. Former southern African students include Firoz Cachalia , Member of the Executive Council, Gauteng Province, South Africa, Xolile Guma , Senior Deputy Governor, SA Reserve Bank, Ian Khama , President of Botswana, Colleen Lowe-Morna , Founding CEO of the South African Commission on Gender Equality, Lindiwe Sisulu , Minister of Defence, South Africa, Renosi Mokate , Member of the Executive Board of the World Bank. University Admissions Waterford Kamhlaba students have a remarkable track record in securing admission to respected colleges and universities around the world: every IB Class of 2010 student applying to university was offered a place and Harvard, Yale, UPenn, Dartmouth and Brown all offered full scholarships to Waterford Kamhlaba students this year. Every African Bursary Student from the IB Class of 2010 is now at university on a full scholarship. Endorsement Nelson Mandela, former Waterford parent and grandparent: “Through the generosity of others, my children and grandchildren enjoyed the benefits of a Waterford education. It is my hope that through the provision of funding for bursaries, children will be able to experience the freedom that education brings”. Desmond Tutu, former Waterford parent:“ Any of you who were wondering whether you want to support Waterford Kamhlaba UWC, know that you are investing in an outstanding institution that has produced some quite remarkable human beings”. Key Facts and Figures • 600 students from 55 countries worldwide • 55 academic staff from 15 countries • 80% of the student body is African • 30% of the student body receives bursary support (177 students, of whom 139 are part of the African Bursary Programme) • 50% of IB students receive bursary support • 60% of Waterford Kamhlaba students are boarders • Average IB score is 34 points (equivalent to more than four A grades at A Level) • The academic curriculum is complemented by the Community Service programme through which all students take part in one of 25 community engagement projects • Almost 7,000 student have received a Waterford education to date • In 2013 UWC Waterford Kamhlaba will celebrate its 50 th anniversary. 2.