About Us

Slovo Centre of Excellence was initially birthed as a Wayside Sunday School for the children of the community of Slovo Park, an Informal Settlement established on the boundaries of the Suburbs of Coronationville and Crosby, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The socio economic ills of unemployment, poverty and deprivation, as well as ill health are rife within this community of approx. 8000 inhabitants.

The Founder, Lorraine Cockrell, heeded an appeal made in December 2004, by then President Thabo Mbeki, in his State of the Nation Address to South African citizens, to come along side Government, in their quest to reach out to the poorest of the poor citizens of South Africa. This became possible through a Faith based program called Wayside Sunday School, through her Church which did outreach to children who were unable to attend Church or Sunday School. This programme offered children an opportunity to attend, so that they could learn of faith values that offered hope, and love through action. As Lorraine was looking for an opportunity to serve God, through humanity, she offered to lead this outreach under the auspices of her Church in February 2005.

In 2009 the need for a more holistic programme was identified; in March 2012, the Slovo Centre of Excellence Non Profit Organisation was birthed. This NPO had a more holistic approach to its project programmes, ensuring that the spiritual and social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional wellbeing of its beneficiaries, the children of Slovo Park, were in place.

An After School Care project was established with various stakeholders collaborating through partnerships with the SCE for a win-win outcome.

The University of Johannesburg played a pivotal role in providing much needed human resources in the form of student volunteers. Students needing to complete community hours as well as gain experience in the field of study were able to achieve this in a win-win situation. With the development and needs observed Lorraine realised that the key focus for assistance to the community children would be assistance with the English language skills as they intergrated into local schools but lacked the common language used in syllabus and general communication skills. The Fun with English program was started with the help of Magri’s Language Institute. Collaboration with Cotlands in forming a Toy library as a means of fun and learning at the same time was also explored.

Volunteers from the local community were trained to assist in this program, but sadly due to lack of funding and financial resources this soon proved a difficult task to continue.

In 2019, Debbie Cockrell, Lorraine’s daughter, took over the operations of Slovo Centre of Excellence. 

At this point the staff compliment consisted of 14 staff members including a cook (daily feeding scheme), Program manager, program facilitators for assistance with homework and play, cleaners and a gardener. Volunteers would be present as available from UJ. This included students doing work integrated learning programs for a period of 6 months practical exposure, and gap year students from abroad. As of 2017 we have 2 staff members only.

During this time it became clear that the NPO needed further assistance as the need for transitioning to a sustainable organisation became clear. Funding and resources were proving difficult to come by and further collaboration and partnerships were sourced.

These included: PEPFAR provided much needed assistance to initiate the Enterprise
Development Initiatives to help generate income and sustainable programming to continue the community work. Through PEPFAR’s funding SCE was able to establish a sustainable gardening program (in collaboration with Positive Cycle) to assist with feeding scheme and integrate learning and exposure to kids of growing their own food supply. This program was thus integrated into to Fun with English concept with practical learning exposure.

It also allowed purchase and training for 2 staff members of the BrainBooster Program. This program forms the key component as SCE transitions into sustainability.

• Funding received from Transnet Foundation in 2012 for 3 years (2012 – 2014).
• 3 year lease for premises in Crosby located at Transnet Properties, Industrial site (September 2012 – 2015).
• Toy Library in use by facilitators and children on site 2012-2016
  AWANA spiritual program, up and running on Fridays (open day for beneficiaries)
• Slovo Centre of Excellence (SCE) officially registered as an NPO and stand alone organization in 2012/2013
• The utilization of a service provider for implementation of Fun With English Program
• Training of 10 facilitators from the settlement in the Fun with English program
• Enterprise development/ income generation initiative launched – 2nd hand clothing and household goods sold 2015/2016/ Purchase of BrainBooster Program and training
• World Aids Day commemoration
  Continuation of partnership with University of Johannesburg (UJ)
• Securing of new donors and partnerships
• Transition to sustainability of Non Profit Organsiation
• Continuation of Fun with English program and assistance with basic english skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening
• Establishment of a homework club
• Facilitated play sessions using tools from the Toy library
• Implementation of BrainBoosters Program with beneficiaries – Catchup program
• Hosting students for Work Integrated Learning Program Internships from UJ
• Establishment of a food garden program using a service provider Positive Cycle – integrated with fun workshops for kids and learning activities

• PEPFAR: President’s Emergency Plan For Aids Relief.
• Transnet Properties: Venue for After School Care Centre from 2013-2016
• WIPRO Technologies SA: In partnership for the past 3 years, they assist SCE with operational funding as and when possible.
• Mayfair Baptist Church: Spiritual outreach, holiday programs, hot dogs on Fridays (2015-2016)
• University of Johannesburg: Intellectual assistance and student volunteers through the Department of Community Engagement

These are some of our Friends Of The Project, a term that we use to describe any person or organisation who has contributed financially or in kind, expertise, or time to the benefit, existence and well being of the  centre and its beneficiaries.

• Family Worship Centre (Hursthill) – Pastor Audrey Jacobs
• Dorcas Creche – Westbury – Aunt Sophie Okeke
• GCC Technologies – Merlin and Shereen Lambert
• Charity Fusion – Teresa Richards and Sponsors
• Jordan House Seniors Village – Pearlene Meadows Carolus
• The Masters Field – Westbury Pastor Stan Carolus
• Trevor Huddleston Memorial Centre
• Evangelical Bible Church Bosmont
• Expressions Ministry – Samuel and Judith Ayunke
• DAV Professional Recruitment Services – Karyn Robertson and Crystal Gertze
• Bradley Carelse – Technical Support
• Demelza Mulligan, Lea Heidemann and Nazlia Stemmert Morulane
• Cross Waves Church – Pastor Tim and Terry Steele
• Forgood and its various volunteers
• Jacques Du Toit and family
• Abdul Wajid Parray
• Bel Air Supermarket
• Pick n Pay Brixton
• Michelle Miller and family
• Mildred Frank and Family

Thank you for your “Love in Action”.