Community support powers a vital hostel for St Vincent School’s grade 12s

At Hot Cares, we believe every child deserves a fair chance to succeed—especially in their matric year. That’s why the appeal from St Vincent School for the Deaf struck such a chord with us. Following recent education budget cuts, the school’s hostel—an essential lifeline for grade 12 learners—couldn’t open without urgent repairs and basic items to make it safe and liveable.

For many learners who travel from places as far as Brits and Orange Farm, on-site accommodation isn’t a luxury; it’s the difference between long, exhausting commutes and focused, supported study time. The hostel is part of the School Support Internal Programme (SSIP) and gives learners extended access to teachers, structured study sessions, nutritious meals, and the security and stability that help them perform at their best.

Thanks to R100,000 from LWC Enterprise for food and supervisor salaries, plus R8,500 pledged by parents towards utilities, the goal was in sight—but there was still a shortfall to make the hostel ready in time for prelims starting on 26 August.

Hot Cares is proud to step in and cover the outstanding R40,000 so St Vincent School can open the grade 12 hostel and give these learners the dignified, supportive environment they need. Together with the school’s management and governing body, who will oversee every rand, we’re ensuring the space is safe, functional, and conducive to learning—from working appliances and proper sanitation to practical study resources.

Most importantly, this is about inclusion and possibility. Deaf learners face barriers that too often have nothing to do with their talent or determination. By helping to open the hostel, our community is saying clearly: your dreams matter, and we’re with you as you reach for them. That’s what Hot Cares is all about.