The Ekhaya Link Family Programme is one of the ways we respond to that need.“Ekhaya” means home. And this is exactly what the programme seeks to offer.

At Waterford Kamhlaba UWC, we often speak about education not simply as what happens in classrooms, but as something lived—through relationships, shared experiences, and a deep sense of belonging. The Ekhaya Link Family Programme is one of the ways these ideals come to life.

Each year, students arrive at Waterford from across the world, bringing with them their cultures, stories, and hopes. While our campus is intentionally designed to be a place of inclusion and care, we also recognise that being far from home can be challenging.

The Ekhaya Link Family Programme connects international students with local families, creating a bridge between campus life and the warmth of a home environment. It is a quiet but powerful expression of the United World Collegesmission: to make education a force to unite people, nations, and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.

Across the UWC movement, similar programmes—often called host families or local guardians—are rooted in the belief that young people thrive when care is not confined to one space. As seen in campuses such as UWC Atlantic and UWC South East Asia, these relationships often become some of the most meaningful anchors in a student’s journey.

An Ekhaya Link Family is a locally based family, approved by the school, who chooses to open their home—and their lives—to a student.

It might look like:

• A shared meal on a Sunday afternoon
• A hike in the mountains or a simple picnic
• Watching a movie together
• Offering a quiet space to rest over a busy term
• Welcoming a student during a short break or holiday

Some families engage occasionally. Others build deeper rhythms of connection. Both are valuable. What matters most is the intention: offering a young person a sense of being held beyond the school environment.

Adolescence in a UWC setting is rich, demanding, and transformative. It is a time when young people are learning not only academic content, but also who they are in relation to others and the world around them.

Having access to a family space can:

• Provide emotional grounding and stability
• Offer cultural exchange beyond the classroom
• Create moments of rest and normalcy
• Reinforce a student’s sense of worth and belonging

It also reflects core UWC values: compassion, respect, responsibility, and service. In many ways, Ekhaya Link Families model what it means to live these values—not as abstract ideals, but as everyday acts of generosity, presence, and care.

An IB graduate from the Class of 2024 captures this experience beautifully:

“My experience with the Ekhaya Link Family program has been incredibly enriching and memorable, largely due to the genuine kindness and hospitality of my host family. They played a crucial role in my IB journey. I would visit them on some weekends, and even when I couldn’t visit, they made the effort to come see me at school, which made me feel truly valued and supported.

The Ekhaya Link Family program has provided me with not only a home away from home but also lifelong memories and connections. I am deeply grateful for this wonderful experience.”

Becoming part of the programme is a thoughtful and safeguarded process, ensuring that every placement is safe, intentional, and aligned with the school’s commitment to student wellbeing.

Families are invited to:

• Complete an application form
• Provide police clearance (or equivalent)
• Participate in a short interview with the school counsellor
• Sign a safeguarding agreement

Once matched, students and families begin a journey of connection that often grows in deeply meaningful and unexpected ways.

Through the Ekhaya Link Family Programme, families become part of something larger than themselves: a community that believes young people should not have to navigate adolescence alone. We are grateful to every family who chooses to open their home in this way. Your hospitality does more than support a student—it shapes their experience of belonging and often leaves a lasting imprint on their lives.

In a world that can often feel divided, Ekhaya Link reminds us of something simple and profound: Home can be created, shared, and extended—across cultures, across borders, and across lives.

We invite you to watch the Ekhaya Link testimonials video to hear directly from students and families about their experiences of connection, care, and belonging.

• If you are interested in becoming an Ekhaya Link Family, you can sign up here