CHOSA at MSU

Children of South Africa (CHOSA) is a non-profit organization based in Cape Town that, since 2005, has been providing support to community-based organizations that reach out to and care for orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa. CHOSA's grants and other forms of support to these projects enable passionate community members to provide for children in need by establishing day-care centers, running after-school programs, and providing nutritious food and a safe, loving home for those who would otherwise be on the streets.

Last year, a group of about 20 students from Michigan State University spent a day with CHOSA at Abaphumeleli children’s home, where we looked after the children while their caregivers celebrated Women’s Day. Our group was in South Africa on a study abroad trip designed especially for incoming college freshmen. We felt such a strong connection both to the children with whom we were able to interact, and to CHOSA as an organization, that we decided to start a student group to support the children we met in South Africa when we returned to campus. CHOSA at MSU now exists to fundraise for CHOSA and also to raise awareness about greater issues of orphans and vulnerable children in East Lansing. The group is very connected with the African Studies Center at MSU, which has been an excellent resource in assisting with events and guidance. Although we were only in South Africa for a few weeks, the children touched our hearts in a way that we will never forget, and we are committed to doing all we can to support them, even from across the ocean.