Our Approach

ABOUT US  >  Our Approach

Our innovation lies in our model; youth-driven, low-cost and high impact programming which achieves results in contexts where such achievements are seldom attained.

The pedagogical approach to learning ensures our volunteers (many of whom were previous learners, who have transformed from beneficiaries into benefactors) are able to deliver an effective tutoring programme.

Our volunteers work in small groups. Our learners drive the agenda by bringing the work they are struggling with to the tutoring sessions. The volunteers then facilitate peer-to-peer learning between the group; building learners’ problem solving skills and helping them learn how to learn. The small groups enable vital individual attention, and fast feedback. It is through this learner-centric approach that the learners are able to fill the gaps in their knowledge, and strengthen their grasp on fundamental conceptual basics.

The relationships between the tutor, the learner, the branch, parents, the school, and the wider community is paramount and reinforces our learners’ commitment to the programme.

Each branch is run by a branch committee, which comprises the two full-time staff members, and the most committed learners, volunteers and parents. The democratic decision making and transparency which these committees strive to achieve build ownership of the branch and the programme, and build leadership experience and skills for all involved.

The power of peer pressure promotes learning, increases learners’ locus of control, and ensures a focus on the future. Every learner is supported in applying for a place at a tertiary institution, an internship, or a job.

This model, which was designed collaboratively by a young group of volunteers and learners during the first few years of our operations, continues to be improved upon and applied in different environments and contexts. This iterative and agile approach to programme design and implementation ensures that we are constantly integrating the lessons learned to improve.

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.