Khayelitsha is one of South Africa’s largest townships, home to over 1 million residents facing severe economic hardships. Students in the community often lack access to the basic educational resources and technology necessary to compete in a digital economy. This Mercer On Mission program aims to bridge the digital divide by providing young learners with access to software, hardware and technical mentorship — equipping them with the skills, confidence and pathways needed to unlock new economic opportunities.
Students will play an active role in designing and delivering interactive technology lessons for children and educators in Khayelitsha. Prior to departure, pre-trip preparation in Macon will focus on mastering core technical skills and collaborating to develop engaging, hands-on curricula tailored for middle school learners, high school students and local teachers.
Once in South Africa, team members will lead classroom instruction; facilitate hands-on learning activities; and provide direct, one-on-one student support. The instructional approach focuses on immediate feedback and creative engagement. Rather than abstract theory, students apply coding directly to interactive projects — writing scripts to compose music, generate digital art and visualize complex datasets.
Additionally, at least one dedicated week will focus on conducting teacher-training workshops, equipping local educators with the tools and strategies to continue delivering these technical lessons in their own classrooms.
I was surprised by how appreciative and welcoming everyone was when we came to Khayelitsha. The students treated everything we brought them with care and showed genuine appreciation for the time we spent teaching them. Their excitement, respect and willingness to learn made the experience especially meaningful to me.
Students are required to sign up for six hours of credit. The registrar will enroll you in courses for your program, including one course from each of the following groups:
