Mentoring programme for 2013 takes off at Ivory and Ebony Park branches

2013 mentorship programme started off on a high note for IY Gauteng (Ivory and Ebony). The meet-and-greet session was held on the 04^th of May for both branches and grade 12 learners were so excited to be paired with their mentors.

 

Mentors and mentees at the Ivory Park branch

Mentoring at IkamvaYouth is a year long programme, where a mentor commits to guiding and motivating a grade 12 learner the whole year till they are placed in a tertiary institution. It begins with the ‘meet-and-greet’ session, where the mentor meets their mentee for the first time. Thereafter they can communicate via email, phone, or they can arrange other meetings, notifying the branch staff in the process. The mentor commits to at least 2 hours of communication every month, checking on such aspects as how the learner is doing at school, if they have applied for bursaries, and ensuring they apply to at least three tertiary institutions. The mentors compliment what the branch staff is already doing, only availing further help to the mentee of their choice. Anyone who has been through tertiary can become a mentor.

Mentors and mentees at Ebony Park branch

At the Ivory Park branch, mentors received a warm welcome from Patrick Mashanda, the district coordinator. It was really exciting to have them, with 13 mentors present, and having braved the morning cold to be at the branch at 8am. Suzan Mpufane (mentor) said she was just excited to be part of this mentoring programme and she wouldn’t mind mentoring two mentees. Emmanuel Mogale, a grade 12 learner, noted that it was more fun, and he had a great time. ‘It is indeed beneficial to be a learner at IkamvaYouth and an opportunity like this should never be missed”, he said.

At the Ebony Park branch, 11 professionals availed themselves to meet their mentees for the first time. The mentors came from Eskom, SABC, EOH, and The Legacy of True Beauty. Kasandra Katurura, one of the grade 12 learners at Ebony Park, noted that “Dean (her mentor) actually brought himself down to my level and made me understand basic principles of my academic life, and that is amazing’.

Nyasha Mutasa, the Ebony Park branch coordinator observed that the learners were so excited, while the mentors showed unreserved commitment to help the learners, which made the session a success.

The mentors and mentees signed a mentorship agreement, which is a basic commitment to work together all the way, ensuring the mentee is motivated.

   

Devendri Pillay of African Bank- addressing learners whose mentors had not managed to come.

Both branches hope to have found mentors for every mentor by the end of May. ABI staff are working on coming to mentor at the Ebony Park branch, while there are more mentors from African Bank for the Ivory Park branch. Thank you beloved mentors. All the best for our Matric 2013 Ikamvanites!!