IY Ikageng Hosts a NSFAS Information Session

IY Ikageng Hosts a NSFAS Information Session

National Student Financial Aid Scheme information session at Ikageng IY:

We were privileged to have Ms Cynthia Leshomo and Ntate Nkosaphantsi from N.W.U (North  West University), bursary department. Our guests shared and clarified general bursary application processes, particularly the National Student Financial Aid Scheme with our Grade 12 learners.

Our ikamvanites were keen to find out how to qualify for NSFAS, do they need to apply each year or does a single application cover all three years of tertiary, does the financial aid cover all the student expenses or tuition? When does a learner have to pay back and what happens if there is a delay in gaining employment? Should the full amount of the financial aid be paid back?   Armed with information, all the grade 12s saw NSFAS as a conduit to achieving their dreams and reaching their goals. All our matrics are completing the application process of financial support.

Twelve(12) learners have applied to North West University,  10-University of Johannesburg and Tshwane University of Technology received 7 applications, now that tertiary affordability has been addressed.

Ikamva Youth,Ikageng branch would like to thank Ms Cynthia and Ntate Nkosaphantsi from North West University for availing themselves and engaging our Grade 12’s Ikamvanites.

IkamvaYouth Ikageng -Grade 12 Learners’ and Parents’ Meeting

IkamvaYouth Ikageng -Grade 12 Learners’ and Parents’ Meeting

“It takes a village to raise a child” African Proverb

The Ikageng branch held a Grade 12 learners and parent meeting on the 30th August 2014 at our tutoring venue, Thembalidansi Primary School. The aim of the meeting was to discuss Grade 12 learner challenges and jointly formulate solutions to address their issues.

Our learners mentioned the a lack of clarity of the role of the parent with applications  curriculum gaps created chapters not thoroughly covered at school, learner time management, low self-esteem due to personal circumstances as part of the challenges they are faced with. The parents, learners, tutors and staff discussed the challenges and some of the solutions were the following;

 

–         Parents understand they need to part of each decision made by learners, from choosing careers to retrieving reports from schools. The branch will introduce motivational video “ice breakers” every Saturday to keep learners motivated…..WATCH THIS SPACE..!!!

We held an Interview with one of our Ikamvanite parents: M.s  S.M Makale , parent of Lerato Makale-  2014 IY Matriculant, to understand her views of the Grade 12 learners and parents meeting. 

Q: How does it feel knowing that you child is part of the first group of Ikageng matrics?

A: I am happy that my daughter is part of Ikamva Youth, there is an improvement in her school ethic and I will give her more support.

Q : Todays  meeting, your thoughts..?

A : Well..as tutors, you guys are doing a great job and your presence is a motivation to our children to excel in schoolwork. As parents, we should take initiative and interest in our children’s studies,  by supporting them in whichever way we can.

IY Learners and Parents Working Together to Address the Challenges Faced by  Grade 12’s

IY Learners and Parents Working Together to Address the Challenges Faced by Grade 12’s

The Ikageng branch held a Grade 12 learners and parent meeting on the 30th August 2014 at our tutoring venue, Thembalidansi Primary School. The aim of the meeting was to discuss Grade 12 learner challenges and jointly formulate solutions to address their issues.

Our learners mentioned the a lack of clarity of the role of the parent with applications  curriculum gaps created chapters not thoroughly covered at school, learner time management, low self-esteem due to personal circumstances as part of the challenges they are faced with. The parents, learners, tutors and staff discussed the challenges and some of the solutions were the following;

–         Parents understand they need to part of each decision made by learners, from choosing careers to retrieving reports from schools. The branch will introduce motivational video “ice breakers” every Saturday to keep learners motivated…..WATCH THIS SPACE..!!!

We held an Interview with one of our Ikamvanite parents: M.s  S.M Makale , parent of Lerato Makale-  2014 IY Matriculant, to understand her views of the Grade 12 learners and parents meeting.

Q: How does it feel knowing that you child is part of the first group of Ikageng matrics?

A: I am happy that my daughter is part of Ikamva Youth, there is an improvement in her school ethic and I will give her more support.

Q : Todays  meeting, your thoughts..?

A : Well..as tutors, you guys are doing a great job and your presence is a motivation to our children to excel in schoolwork. As parents, we should take initiative and interest in our children’s studies,  by supporting them in whichever way we can.

 

 

 

 

IY Ikageng Talent Show

IY Ikageng Talent Show

Ikamva youth winter school talent show 2014

“Appreciation can make a day even change a life and a tiny drop of chemical makes an enormous difference.” Unknown

IY believes in making learning fun and providing a friendly environment of learning. We acknowledge that in order for the youth to excel at school, they also need to lead balanced lives in order to function well. Thus we give learners a platform to show case and embrace their artistic skills and talents during the annual winter school programme.

This year it was no exception, the Winter School’s Talent Show was filled with talented presentations in genres ranging from dance, singing, acapella & beat box, poetry, rap, drama to a mix of all these. The acts were both entertaining and educational as they covered themes such as teenage pregnancy, alcohol and drug abuse, rape, issues of sexuality & making informed choices and motivation. These were presented  with all sorts of props such as face paints and furnitures. The show was well received, and Ikamvanites were excited about this opportunity. Mr Sipho Dee, from the branch’s sponsor- ABI, was also part of the audience.

 

 

 

 

 

The tutors also participated by assisting the leaners choreography and to put these acts together. The panel of judges consisted of tutors and were evaluated the acts based on originality, choice of act,  presentation, talent, appropriate costume, audience reception and entertainment value. The participants were awarded for best performed act, best dance performance, best male singer, best female singer and best spoken word (poetry and rap genre) performance.

 

 

Exciting new Year Beyond Programme launched!

Exciting new Year Beyond Programme launched!

IkamvaYouth are partnering with the Western Cape government and Action Volunteers Africa (AVA) in an exciting new project to implement high-impact after-school programmes in secondary schools in the Western Cape while developing the skills and proficiencies of young leaders. Today saw Helen Zille and Ministers of Cultural Affairs and Sport and WCED launch the Year Beyond programme.

 

Helen Zille meets the MOD Centre teams at this mornings press conference

 

The Year Beyond project will improve the after-school programmes offered through the school’s MOD Centres by increasing the range of after-school activities. The programme will include IkamvaYouth model tutoring, tech-assisted English and Maths tuition through Fundza and Siyavula respectively, and practical clubs that will introduce robotics, coding, and media.   

The project has attracted applications from over 100 grade 8/9s in just 2 schools who are all eager to take their futures into their own hands. They are supported in this after-school space by a fantastic bunch of change makers who hail from all walks of life but share a passion for youth and development. These young graduates are paying-it-forward by volunteering their time to serve as role models for these aspiring learners. 

 

  The launch of the Year Beyond programme 

The involvement of numerous organisations, departments and people has produced an exciting collaborative approach to youth development and one that IkamvaYouth wholeheartedly supports. IkamvaYouth is a value based organisation and one of the core principles is peer-to-peer support and collaboration. To see this happening on a large scale with governmental involvement is a huge step for IkamvaYouth as an educational non-profit. It is hoped that this form of government – non-government partnership can become a model for operation in order to reach more learners with high-quality after-school programmes.

Vision 2030 was conceived by IkamvaYouth in 2012, which is the vision to see every grade 1 learner who starts school in 2018 to matriculate or the equivalent by 2030, and to access a post-school opportunity of their choice that sets them on the path to earn a dignified living. This is an audacious goal and one that requires many hands and minds.

The Year Beyond project offers an opportunity to engage in true collaboration towards a common goal. It is hoped that this is the first of many partnerships that will open the doors of after-school programmes to young people all across the country.

For more information on the Year Beyond project, IkamvaYouth and how we can work together to enable more learners to achieve their dreams please contact zoe@ikamvayouth.org or alex@ikamvayouth.org 

 

 

Lloyd Lungu

031 909 3590
lloyd@ikamvayouth.org
2525 Ngcede Grove, Umlazi AA Library, 4031

Lloyd is a self-disciplined and highly goal-driven Industrial Psychology Honours graduate. He is currently a Master's candidate completing his second year of M.Com in Industrial Psychology at the University of the Free State. Lloyd joined IkamvaYouth as a learner in 2012, after matriculating he came back and volunteered as a tutor for the duration of his undergraduate studies at UKZN. He later worked as an Intern in the Chesterville branch. His passion for youth empowerment and inclusion has grown enormously through his time and experience gained within IkamvaYouth and has inspired him to provide career guidance to young township people. He is currently working at the Umlazi Branch as a Branch Assistant.