During last year IkamvaYouth embarked on an exciting and learning filled pilot programme with the Western Cape Government to implement the IY model in 2 high schools in the province with 8 volunteers. It is through the experiences and learnings in this pilot that it has now expanded the reach of the programme to 8 high schools and being implemented with 35 volunteers to deliver high-impact after-school tutoring programmes in secondary schools in the Western Cape while developing the skills and proficiencies of young leaders.
The Year Beyond programme is adding value to the school’s MOD Centres by increasing the range of after-school activities to include an academic arm. The programme, working with grades 8-10 in each school includes IkamvaYouth model tutoring and tech-assisted English and Maths tuition through Fundza and Olico respectively.
The project will attract over 700 learners 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 come 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.
These volunteers have just completed 2 weeks of intensive IkamvaYouth training where they received in depth tutor and tech assisted programme training, visited branches, participated in conflict resolution workshops, spent time in their schools and met MOD centre coaches, all while developing their teams, identifying and honing the leadership skills needed to work in their school and with their learners.. They are now recruiting learners and building strong relationships in their schools to ensure the success of the programme through school and parent buy-in.
The involvement of numerous organisations, departments and people has produced an exciting collaborative approach to youth development. 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 in reaching its 2030 vision. 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 across the country.
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 liesel@ikamvayouth.org or zoe@ikamvayouth.org.
IkamvaYouth is a township-based volunteer programme that gets learners out of poverty and into university has once again shown that transformation is possible, despite the odds.
IkamvaYouth seeks to appoint a Branch Coordinator, based in Makhaza Western Cape.
The social entrepreneur must be passionate about the power of education to transform lives and communities, and wants to make a difference. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in a by-youth for-youth educational movement that empowers young people to take their futures into their own hands.
As an organisation that supports community development, the candidate must be South African and ideally reside in Makhaza or surrounding areas.
Responsibilities:
- Coordinate the branch, after-school sessions and weekend tutorials;
- Ensure policies and processes are implemented for successful programme delivery;
- Recruit, coordinate and support volunteer tutors and mentors;
- Contract and agreement negotiation with community stakeholders
- Community Liason; with the schools, community centres, CBOs and NGOs;
- Fundraise to build and sustain the branch (meeting with funders, writing proposals and reports, reporting, monitoring and evaluation);
- Manage an office and ensure accurate and up-to date data collection and administration for monitoring and evaluation;
- Budgeting, financial management and reporting;
- Coordinate branch communication (social media, website, group e-mail discussion lists, newsletters, etc.) together with other ikamvanites;
- Lead a team of volunteers to implement the supplementary tutoring, career guidance and mentoring and holiday programmes.
Requirements:
- Well developed management skills to manage a branch, staff, donors, sponsors, funders, learners, and community expectations;
- High level of stakeholder relationship management and negotiation skills
- Highly organised and efficient;
- Impeccable time management, data collection and reporting ability;
- High level of attention to detail;
- Ability to work alone and take initiative;
- Facilitation and presentation skills- the incumbant will be required to address large groups of learners, volunteers, parents and chair stakeholder meetings
- Adept at using computers (Micosoft Office, social media and internet);
- Ability to work virtually (many discussions, meetings and document development occur collaboratively online);
- Passion for working with young people, a pro-active energy and an outgoing personality will be most suitable for this role;
- Minimum of three year degree and two years work experience or five years relevant work experience (ideally in youth development; project planning, implementation and management)
- Own transport will be an advantage
Gross salary: R14 000 per month.
To apply, submit a CV AND motivation letter with “Branch Coordinator – ‘Makhaza’ in the subject line to careers@ikamvayouth.org.
For more about IkamvaYouth, refer to https://ikamvayouth.org.www518.jnb1.host-h.net.
We have learnt a lot this year.
We have learnt that collaboration is not merely partnering for mutual benefit – an “I get something, you get something” scenario. We have come to view collaboration as assisting one another to achieve something more together than we could alone.
Last year saw IkamvaYouth work with several other organisations who were delivering after-school tutoring in the Western Cape. From January to November a group of between 4 and 12 organsiations would meet monthly to share what they had learnt over the last month and together we discussed and created solutions to our collective challenges.
Collaborative Community Workshop
In addition, when possible IkamvaYouth were able to visit organisations, provide advice and guidance on their specific problems and learn from them about the realities of their context and what could be done to lessen the obstacles that are inherent to these contexts.
The organisations who participated in 2014 were: EwB, Grassroots Boxing, Sozo Foundation, Ikamva Labantwana Bethu, SALT, Amandla Edufootball, Nebula Skateboarding, Masakhaneni Community Development, Emagqabini, and SAEP.
The majority of these organisations improved the quality, sustainability and even size of their programmes over the year. I can’t possibly list all the achievements as they are numerous but some particular examples of success are worth mentioning.
Nebula Skateboarding is an organisation that combines skateboarding and tutoring. They offer primary aged learners the opportunity to get help with their homework, learn to skate, and access a specialised curriculum that draws connections between skateboarding and life! This curriculum explores the concepts of self-awareness, discipline and self-expression and looks to develop various aspects of the learner – both socially and academically – to prepare them to rise above the challenges and obstacles that they are likely to face.
Siya shares his dream to be a skateboarder and mechanical engineer!
Rayne Moses, the founder of the organisation has worked tirelessly this year to: secure a grant from The Learning Trust, secure a venue, establish a consistent programme, entice more learners into the programme and even explore an additional site. Check-out this amazing video that was made for Nebula, which shows just how far they have come!
Sozo Foundation went from strength to strength last year, through the incredible and inspiring commitment of the Sozo team. Consistent improvements in learner’s attendance, receipt of grant funding and rewards, and building a whole new building were just some of their achievements. The hard work that was put in last year by the staff, tutors and learners was acknowledged at the end of year prize-giving, which I had the honour of attending.
Prize-giving in the new Sozo Educentre!
SALT’s admirable determination to learn from others and to improve their programme proved to do wonders for their Saturday morning tutoring sessions. A sight to be seen! Eager learners, committed enthusiastic tutors and welcoming staff was truly inspiring! The quality of their programme was reflected in their amazing results. Out of 11 grade 12s, 7 were placed in tertiary education institutions in the fields of mechanical engineering, physiotherapy, psychology, maths & science, and computer technology! The other 4 are being supported by SALT and are rewriting supplementary exams in March.
While all the organisations involved would have likely implemented tutoring programmes and may well have achieved these feats without IkamvaYouth’s support, being part of a connected community who could be called upon in times of need or doubt, and a community that could provide connections and resources has proven to be a hugely valuable initiative.
“It has been such a privilege and honour to be part of the Collaborative Community, partnering with IkamvaYouth and other likeminded organisations!…We have learnt so much from the monthly meetings and one-to-one mentoring sessions particularly with the foundational structures of our programme.” Arlene Block, Sozo Foundation.
The collaborative community will continue in 2015, with the support of The Learning Trust and hopefully grow and strengthen to form a country-wide support network for after-school organisations that allows us to achieve more by working together than any of us could alone.
If you are an after-school education organisation and would like to discuss how IkamvaYouth and other organisations are (or could be) working together and sharing resources to increase the impact of all our programmes please get in contact.
Visit www.ikamvayouth.org/vision2030 or contact zoe@ikamvayouth.org for information on training and support services.
IkamvaYouth – Cape Town, Western Cape
IkamvaYouth is a township-based volunteer programme that gets learners out of poverty and into university has once again shown that transformation is possible, despite the odds.
IkamvaYouth seeks to appoint a District Coordinator, based in Cape Town
This social entrepreneur must be passionate about the power of education to transform lives and communities, and want to make a difference. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in a by-youth for-youth education movement that empowers young people to take their futures into their own hands.
As an organisation that supports community development, the candidate must be South African and ideally reside in Western Cape Province
Responsibilities:
Steering the strategic direction of the district and enabling growth;
Budget development and financial management;
Manage stakeholder relationships, including funders, sponsors and the community;
Fundraising;
Producing narrative and financial reports
Site visits to branches;
Supervise branch staff to ensure that the required outcomes are achieved;
Provide support and oversight to branch coordinators
Represent and liaise with branch coordinators for Natcom;
Fulfill related HR functions for branches;
Ensure quality delivery of programmes and implementation of IY policies and processes at branches.
Requirements:
Advanced management skills to manage a branches, staff, donors, sponsors, funders, learners, and community expectations;
Highly organised and efficient;
Impeccable time management, data collection and reporting ability;
High level of attention to detail;
Ability to work alone, take initiative, and manage teams;
Adept at using computers (Micosoft Office, social media and internet);
Ability to work virtually (many discussions, meetings and document development occur collaboratively online);
Passion for working with young people, a pro-active energy and an outgoing personality will be most suitable for this role;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Minimum of three year degree and five years’ work experience (ideally in youth development; project planning, implementation and management)
Own transport will be an advantage
To apply, submit a CV WITH motivation letter to careers@ikamvayouth.org. Please use “WC DC” in your subject line
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. No late applications will be accepted.
For more about IkamvaYouth, refer to https://ikamvayouth.org.www518.jnb1.host-h.net.
Salary: R17,250.00 /month
IkamvaYouth Ivory Park Open Day
The 24th of January was the day the volunteers stuff members and parents of the IkamvaYouth Ivory Park branch have been waiting for. The Ivory Park branch has been collaborating open days with its sister branch Ebony Park, but this year it went solo. The programme for the day was well managed allowing the invited guests, parents, school principal and learners to participate and represent.
The activities of the event involved prize giving to top performers in the year 2014 with certificate and gift awards in different categories to include Platinum Attendance, Most academically improved learners, Best Tutors and 2014 matriculants for having successfully completed matric with IkamvaYouth. Application forms were issued to those who wanted to join IkamvaYouth.
The programme opened with a warm welcome by the branch coordinator (Mr Clemence Msindo), followed by our host and guest of honor Mr K Maduma, the principal for Kaalfontein Secondary School where the Ivory Park branch operates from. Mr Solani from the District Department of Education, Dr W. Kubeka from University of Johannesburg and Simpiwe from the Vine Branches blessed the event as motivational speakers to learners with words of encouragement with regards to academic improvements. Our IkamvaYouth branch committee parent Mma Mogano gave a touching speech to other parents about the good IkamvaYouth is doing in the community with reference to her child’s improvement in school work.
The Kaalfontein Secondary School choir, with their melodic voices couldn’t let the event go by without them being heard, they sang so well they left the crowd asking for more. Our class of 2014 who had risen above the odds and gave the Ivory Park branch 87.7% pass rate were awarded with certificates for their courage and bravery in their achievement. The top achiever Benny Matlou was awarded a wrist watch for his two distinctions in Mathematics and Physical Science. The branch awarded the top attender with a Blackberry phone for her commitment to IkamvaYouth throughout the year.
The day was full of joy and ABI made the day extra special by donating drinks and water to the learners, volunteers, parents and guests to quench their thirst. The day ended with a number of learners queuing to grab application forms to join IkamvaYouth.
Lloyd Lungu