KenSTEP is an academic project that provides tutoring services to the children of the Kensington Community. The project recruits children from grades 3 to 7, from the surrounding Kensington schools, providing them with English, Maths, and Life Orientation tutoring sessions. The Project has a historical relationship with the Kensington community and many mature residents associate with the reputation of the project. KenSTEP acts as a feeder project for the senior academic SHAWCO projects, SO Live and Learn and KenSMART.

The SHAWCO Stepping Out project was established at K2 in 2002.  Through the help of 50 student volunteers,75 Grade 8 & 9 learners are provided with tutoring in English, Mathematics, and Life Skills.  In 2008, learners have been recruited from Masiyile, Thembelihle, Siphamandla, Sangweni, Luhlaza and Bulumko Secondary Schools for Stepping Out.

Stepping Out participants have 4 contact hours with SHAWCO tutors over two sessions per week. Two of these four hours are focused specifically on Mathematics tuition, while the other two hours are focused on English and Life Skills. Apart from the academic tutoring sessions above, several big events and outings are run each term, including a camp at the end of the year.

There is a strong emphasis on ongoing mentorship and evaluation of the learners. Stepping Out runs in Khayelitsha from the SHAWCO centre and Eluxolweni Primary School (Next to the K2 centre). Stepping Out learners are channelled directly to the SMART project (Grade 10 -12).

If you would like any further information please contact the Project Leader for 2008, Leila Arnold @ This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

SO Live & Learn is a project based in Kensington that teaches life skills Mathematics and English to grade 8 and 9 learners. We focus on imparting critical thinking and problem solving skills via Mathematics and English lessons centred on practical activities that are based on current and relevant school curricula in the hope of equipping them with the ability to matriculate and pursue further studies. The focus on life skills makes allowance for a move away from the usual pen and paper lessons while involving the Learners in more exciting and stimulating topics relevant to their lives.