Its 2013, we are all settling comfortably into the year. Already we’re headed towards the end of the first term, but that does not mean we do not need to get organised. Each learner is taught how to be responsible and keep tab of everything they do, one of our sponsors gave the learners a head start.
Our great sponsor Capitec realises that we all still need to keep our ducks in a row as we head into the rest of the year. As such, they have kindly donated awesome 2013 diaries to our Matriculants for the year 2013. We had a small diary hand-out this past Saturday as a way to inspire the younger grades to do well and get to matric as well.
The leaners themselves were very happy to receive the wonderful gifts from our valued sponsor; everyone needs a diary after all.
We would like to pass on our gratitude for the kind, and very welcome surprise from Capitec.
On the 9th of March 2013, Ivory Park had its first parent’s meeting. It was exciting to see such an impressive turn out from parents who were willing to work together with IkamvaYouth in achieving some of its goals. Parents who were not able to attend did make an effort to send someone on their behalf. This showed that the parents were very dedicated to IkamvaYouth and also to its programmes. This in turn also proved that the parents have interest in their children’s education.
A number of parents needed clarity as to what we are about. Some of the important issues that were addressed included the following: Financial assistance, the kickout system, parental involvement (consent forms, word of mouth as a recruitment method) and sexual education at home. It’s only been 11 weeks since the academic year started, but it is fulfilling to know that we have made a difference in some of our learners’ lives.
Parents commended us on the work we do and assured us of their continued support to the organisation. Ms Nonyane(Gr12 parent) volunteered to be the representative of parents for our branch. Her commitment and optimism makes her standout. We are happy to have her in our team. Parental involvement is an important factor for learner’s academic achievement.
All the above proves beyond any doubt that our first meeting was a success. We all look forward to a fruitful year.
On Saturday 9 March, IkamvaYouth in partnership with Capitec presented a fire safety awareness workshop hosted by Mrs Nombeko Kopele (Public Education Officer) from the fire and rescue services in Ottery, Cape Town. In December 2012, close to a 1000 shacks burnt down in Khayelitsha with countless people being displaced and with winter approaching, a time when the risks of fires increase, it was an opportune time to educate our learners about the dangers that fires pose, but also give them tips on how to avoid these fires.
The presentation were in two parts, first with the grade 10, 11 and 12s and then with the grade 8 and 9s. The reason for this split was because different aspects were discussed with the different age groups. Although the main focus of the workshop was fire safety awareness, it also allowed the presenter to speak to the older kids about the different careers within fire and rescue. This was very exciting for the ikamvanites because they found out that the training to become a fire fighter or paramedic is only 6 months and that it was really physical. They had a lot of questions to ask and the presenter was very knowledgeable and answered all their questions. Lwazi Fanana, a grade 11 learner, said afterwards that he might consider a career in the fire and rescue field. Another learner Sipho Nqgayimbana, grade 12, asked about the different careers within the fire and rescue fields and the presenter said that careers vary from administration, management, medical to paramedical and firefighting, etc., and that there are lots of skills shortages in this career field and with that a lot of opportunities for young people to join.
For the younger grades, the focus were more on fire prevention tips, what to do in case of a fire or burn injuries and who to contact when you see a fire. The session with them were more interactive and the ikamvanites were able to simulate scenarios, like rolling on the ground when you catch fire, and were shown charts of what to do. All the ikamvanites were told where their closest fire station is and were told to call 107 or 0215901900 in case of a fire or any other emergency. Everyone had a lot of questions for Mrs Kopele and as with the other group; she was able to answer every question.
We would like to thank the City of Cape Town and in particular Mrs Nombeko Kopele and Mr Abdusalaam Allie, Capitec and everyone that assisted with this workshop.
Ebony Park hosted its first parents meeting of the year on Saturday the 9th March. The meeting was very successful with a good turn out from parents who were very eager to show their support to IkamvaYouth.
The agenda included welcoming the parents into the new year and explaining to them what IkamvaYouth does to help their children. It became very evident that the parents really appreciated the impact we are having in the community and with their children. The good matric pass rates and success stories all motivated and gave them the hope that their children are capable of reaching the stars through education.
We found it important to have a parent representative in the Branch Committee and the parents elected Mrs Paulina Maluleke to represent them throughout the year. The parents all supported this idea as it would make them all more involved in working together with IkamvaYouth, the tutors and the learners. Parents committed themselves to fundraising to make sure the very needy and orphaned learners are assisted. They have committed to encouraging their children to always fully commit to IkamvaYouth and the model. They have also committed to being instruments of change in their communities.
This was a very productive meeting and we look forward to working towards vision 2030 with everyone on-board!
It has been a month since Ikamva youth Ivory park closed doors for 2013 applications and we are glad to welcome our 2013 Ikamvanites, this hectic and vibrant week was followed by the visit to UJ during Society Week/Orientation week on the 6th of February 2013, A big thank you goes out to all tutors (recruitment team) who showed commitment, dedication and assured us that they are and will always be Ikamvanites by spending the day with us and helping us with postering.
Indeed we have seen the fruits of postering on Saturday 9th February 2013, as returning tutors and new tutors flocked to the centre with the aim of helping whilst we kept receiving calls from tutors who were left behind by the tutor bus and the large numbers of emails received daily.
Excursions kicked off with the invitation to the “The Big Debate “ recording/interview on the 17th February 2013, The big debate is a 10-part series for SABC2, broadcast weekly every Sunday night at 10pm, debating issues of redress and transformation facing South African society in all sectors – land, health, the arts, policing, mining, racism and so on.
Ikamva youth Ivory park is once again giving hope to more than a hundred children from local schools and surrounding areas and happy to say that our call has reached more than 10 schools, this is proof that we are ready to pave way for the 2030 vision, with the crop of the cream being our first matric class of 2013 we are determined to working hard, showing commitment and maintain the momentum thereby upholding the Ikamva youth model
We wish to thank Ikamvayouth South Africa for the support, love and super powers unleashed, you giving us hope and the reason to push harder and aim to reach for the stars, Thank you.
Lloyd Lungu