Given IkamvaYouth’s learner’s consistently high achievement, we’re often asked about our learner selection process; the quick answer is that our learners select themselves. This approach is based on our organisational values (i.e. equal access to opportunities) and beliefs (that anyone can achieve success with commitment and hard work).
IkamvaYouth’s open days are held at each branch at the beginning of the year. They’re open to all (learners, parents, volunteers etc) and any learner in grades 8 to 11 can take an application form. The application requires learners to motivate why they would like to be an Ikamvanite and why they’re willing to commit to attending more than 75% of all IkamvaYouth’s after school and holiday programmes. Applications are considered on a first-submitted first-served basis; only those who have failed to make significant effort are placed aside. IkamvaYouth does not consider academic results or writing ability in selecting learners. Most providers of supplementary academic support that we know of in South Africa either select learners who already demonstrate academic achievement and potential or rely on teachers to select appropriate learners. IkamvaYouth doesn’t do these things because we believe that everyone has the potential to succeed and that it’s only those who have decided for themselves to take their future into their own hands that are likely to do so. Learners who join us with significantly poor academic results often demonstrate the greatest improvement.
At last… we’ve been threatening for a while to step up the non-academic aspect of Ivory Park’s Saturday IkamvaYouth sessions and we were able to take our first step in this direction on Saturday as Danny Naidoo led the learners through one of the fundamental components of improving one’s personal effectiveness: GOAL SETTING.
Danny presented a step-by-step account of what this might entail and spoke about identifying goals for one’s life and the resilience and perseverance that is essential for achieving these goals. Over the next few weeks we’ll be looking to build on this goal setting framework and provide opportunities for Ikamvanites to identify the areas they most want to target in their own lives.
To a large extent we are using these sessions as an experimental opportunity to identify where the learners find value with a non-academic focus. If you are interested in contributing in this area then find the branch nearest to you and get in touch. Basically if you have a talent or a gift that you’d like to share that is something other than tutoring then why not try it out.
So to prospective artists, creative types, life coaches, motivational speakers, drama fundi’s, etc – come join us.
Before I attended my first Strategic Planning Workshop for IkamvaYouth, I was kinda apprehensive, not knowing what kind of people to expect…it only took a fraction of a second to realise that Ikamvanites from other provinces are such open minded people, free spirited, passionate about the improvement and development of an African child’s education.
The whole session can be easily summed up as sharpening of our skills to advance the objectives and programmes of IkamvaYouth. Big up to all the Ikamvanites who renewed their commitments to the vision of IkamvaYouth South Africa.
Our Vision for South Africa
Our SPW particiapnts were asked about their visions for this country and asked to complete the sentence… “A South Africa where…”
Phil: where knowledge is a matter of choice irrespective of class race or discrimination but it dependent on choice.
Nombu: equality for everyone that reflects our diversity. Everyone has access to the best of everything
Naledi: working together we can do more – where education is priority and education is fully functional
Andrew: a world with cooperation rather than competition – everyone brings what they have to be a part of the solution
Khona: Everyone has equal access to quality opportunities in education, health, housing, career opportunities. Everyone knows and understands their worth and they can contribute meaningfully to the country’s benefit
Zoe: a better education for all and equal opportunities for all SAs where all schools have the necessary resources
Joe: SA that creates and sustains equal opportunities for wealth among its youth. A high values-based South African society through access to equal educational opportunities for all learners.
Themba: SA where every citizen has motivation to make use of opportunities
Nico: Identity is not by origin or status or class – IY tools for cooperation. Tools for developing own identity and to take initiative. People aware of themselves and able to work together to make something better
Charles: People having opportunity to realise their potential. Everyone with the opportunity to become who they can become
Joy: high quality education for all enables equal access to opportunities and prosperous, peaceful, caring nation
The exciting thing about working for an organisation that is for youth and by youth is that you can experiment with technology and come up with innovative ways to make machines work for your benefit.
IkamvaYouth has been working on IkamvaYouth-in-a-box which aims to translate the experiences that many Ikamvanites have collected over the years into an information pack. This information pack seeks to turn this information into knowledge that will give Ikamvanites the power to drive the learning revolution.
This super high tech system will enable us to store information in a central database that will make all the information accessible to those who need it. Since we will be working on a model that is based on Open Source, all our templates for reporting financially, programmatically and operationally will be available to everyone who wants to use it. That translates to 1 goal for sharing and 0 for selfishness with information!
An important topic of discussion this afternoon was on tutor recruitment and retention. The different branches have had similar experiences with tutors not staying with the organisation, which has resulted in a lack of continuity with the relationship that tutors have with learners. Possible solutions to this challenged were proposed by various Ikamavanites including:
* introducing tutors to the vision of Ikamva so that they can have the holistic view that the rest of us have of the programme
* getting tutors to tell us what their expectations of Ikamva are so that we can better meet them
* Encourage strong tutor/ learner relationships so that tutors can see their relationship as being primarily with the learners, who we all seek to serve, rather than just pleasing members of the organisation. This means tutors should see themselves as being contracted to the learners rather than Ikamva. Ikamva is there to facilitate the relationship between tutors and the learners who benefit from the knowledge that these young people bring with them.
* letting tutors know that they are valued and showing appreciation by organising social activities that will also strengthen the bond between tutors and give them an avenue to get to know each other better (this includes management!)
* recommendation letters will also be written for tutors who have shown commitment to the organisation
* Each branch is to host a Strategic Planning Weekend that includes tutors and volunteers so that they can contribute ideas to the work to be done. This also ensures that tutors understand that they OWN Ikamva in the same way that the learners also own the organisation.
Phillip Mcelu, a former learner and committed volunteer from the Makhaza branch said, “[volunteering has helped me through what I have learned. Knowing that learners look up to me and knowing what I do for them helps them, makes me feel good”.
Therefore we need to retain as many tutors as possible and make sure that they also have gains for the precious time and knowledge that they give for free to committed learners with big dreams. Ikamva is currently looking at ways of incentivising these selfless young people for their contributions. Watch this space…
Lloyd Lungu