SOS-HGIC provides a holistic and transformational education. The outcome of the education we provide tells the full story and serves as good evidence of its effectiveness. The foundations of the education process in SOS-HGIC is provided by the school's motto:"Knowledge in the Service of Africa" and guides the acquisition of knowledge and the necessary skills to be good enquirers, risk takers, and team players who communicate effectively and who generate innovative ideas and solutions to the plethora of challenges confronting our continent today. The knowledge gained by learners in school is put to use in the community, through our Creativity Action Service programme, while new knowledge is acquired in the process. Students put a lot of thinking into planning and executing their actions which develops in them critical thinking and problem solving skills useful in their future lives. In all their actions, they are guided by the principles of fairness, consider each action carefully and are always mindful of its consequences. For most of the young people who come to us, SOS-HGIC is the first home away from home. Separated from parents, siblings and familiar faces, they start with a lot of trepidation; whether they are 4,000 km away from Harare, Zimbabwe, or only 25 km from Accra, Ghana, all is new in this far away place and one week between visits by parents or a whole year before returning to one's country seems like an eon. Therefore, students get homesick, being away from friends left in previous schools, mummy's food, "chill" time, flexible lifestyles etc. Soon, however, they settle into the rhythm of life at SOS-­HGIC.