Past Projects
PAST PROJECTS
1962 - 1986
The story of the Interchange Foundation started in the early sixties with an initiative called Tricelle Education. The initiative's purpose was to promote bilingualism and create a better understanding between Afrikaans- and English -speaking school children from various cultural backgrounds. The activities were geared primarily to providing multi-cultural non-formal educational opportunities to promote positive attitudes, interpersonal relations and self-esteem, based on a set of social action values and a holistic educational approach. During this period, over 100 bilingual educational camps were presented, attended by more than 3 000 children, youth leaders, and immigrant children.
1982 - 1988
During the late eighties, Tricelle handed the baton over to a new initiative called “Operation Interchange,” as it recognised that the scope of focusing only on school children was too narrow. The new scope included all generations, to address a broader definition of social challenges. "Operation Interaction" was launched through the Department of Human Movement Science and the Institute for Sport and Movement Studies of the University of Stellenbosch. The purpose was to contribute to building a South Africa where peaceful co-existence, quality of life and nation-building formed the focus of co-existence. During this period, 100 multi-cultural educational camps for local Stellenbosch students, student leaders, women’s organisations, and ESKOM facilitators from across South Africa was held.
1989 - Present
During the late ’80s and early '90s, the political landscape of South Africa changed drastically with the release of Nelson Mandela. Operation Interchange had to adapt, and as a result, the "Interchange Foundation" was formally constituted in 1989 as a non-governmental and non-profit organisation to continue operating the community service aspect of “Operation Interchange”. The "Interchange Foundation" has kept to the guiding principle of "together we become” and has continually evolved, to eventually support the objectives and goals of the National Development Plan.
The following is a brief overview of activities:
- 1991-1993 The Youth Peace Project – “Together we become” was presented. It involved more than 10 000 participants from across South Africa and was sponsored by the National Education Department. It was also broadcast on national television.
- 1991 A Women’s gathering – “creating viable communities” – was hosted. The purpose of the conference was to coordinate the efforts of women in communities, regarding education, and other areas of community service.
- 1992 – A Research project was conducted at Genadendal, with the introduction of a local pottery business enterprise for women, with a grant from FNB.
- 1994 A showhouse was organised for farm workers to showcase electricity saving appliances in Keisie Valley.
- 1991-1995 Initiated and participated in the International Rainbow Children’s Festival and reached out as far as Moscow.
- 1995 Contributed towards the establishment of the Greater Hermanus RDP Forum
- Developed the Keisie sports fields (rugby and netball) in partnership with the Boland Rugby Union and the Stellenbosch Netball Academy.
- Presented a three-month primary health course for the farmworker’s wives sponsored by the New World Foundation, Steenberg, and presented by the Cape Women’s Forum.
- Assisted in establishing the Macassar Development Trust (MACDEV) and supported projects in farming, culture, sport and recreation, women’s and youth affairs, housing, and job creation.
- Completed a research project sponsored by Eskom (bio-gel, geyser blankets, solar) for various communities in the Western Cape.
- Introduced a fruit-fly spraying scheme for Keisie farmers in collaboration with Infruitec
- 2009 Participated in the Hermanus Enlighten conference, with the theme “Igniting Education - Meeting the Challenges Together.”
- Training 12 students in partnership with Media Academy and the City of Cape Town municipality in video journalism in Macassar. The program included pupils from both Macassar High School and Parel Valley High School. These students participated in the making of a short film for the Ubuntu Film Festival.
Since the very beginning, the Interchange Foundation was led by Dr Beatrice Wiid, from the Department of Human Movement Science at the University of Stellenbosch. Dr Wiid has also written a book, entitled “Together we become” in 2010, providing an in-depth history of the Interchange Foundation.
Since the very beginning, The Interchange Foundation was led by Dr Beatrice Wiid, who was formal of the University of Stellenbosch, Department of Human Movement Science. Dr Wiid also written a book titled “Together we become” in 2010 providing an in-depth history of the Interchange Foundation.
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Private Bag X19
Somerset West
South Africa