2009 Annual Report

IkamvaYouth is proud to announce the publication of our 2009 Annual Report.

As usual, it has been a fully-volunteered, collaborative endeavour, and we would like especially to thank the following special ikamvanites:

• Felix Seuffert for layout and design
• James Krolikowski for compiling all the information
• Marie Sutherland-Lawless for desigining the front page

There are many others (too many to mention), who helped with writing, editing and getting content, and we applaud each of you for your contributions!

IIkamvaYouth‘s sixth year was a big, busy one. We grew (expanded our team and our reach) and most importantly we once again, against all odds, achieved our mission: an 87% matric pass rate (54% Bachelor passes and 31% Diploma passes, required for access into tertiary study). Our learners far surpassed the national and provincial matric results; compared with those of the districts in which we operate, they are astounding. These results (together with mentoring and career guidance) enable our learners to matriculate from township schools, walk through the doors of higher education and realise their dreams.

It is wonderfully fulfilling to be delivering on our mission in a way that far exceeds any realistic expectations. There are Ikamvanites in fields including Biochemistry, Information Technology, Business Administration, Psychology, Engineering, Education, Nursing and Law. Some are traveling the world, others have enriching jobs, or even running their own small businesses. Many ex-learners are still spending every Saturday morning at Ikamva as volunteers. Anna Telford‘s documentary, IkamvaYouth Flying Colours (2009) captures some of these stories. Watch it now!

We were joined by some incredible new friends in 2009. The libraries, tertiary institutions, schools, organisations and companies we work with enable us to do what
we do, and in 2009 they helped us to be bigger, better and in new places. Read all about these exciting new developments in the branch directors‘ reports.

Sharing resources, expertise, and lessons learned is key for the success and replication of our model. Read about IkamvaYouth- in-a-Box and our plans for 2010 and beyond to find out about where we plan to go from here.

Reflecting back on last year gives us the much-needed space and time to sit back and appreciate what we‘ve achieved and how lucky we are to be working with such
inspiring and talented people. Ikamvanites rock! 🙂

I‘m inviting all readers of our 2009 Annual Report to join the learning revolution. Bring your time, talents, skills, cash or resources and invest in our future. Viva, ikamvanites, viva!