IkamvaYouth is looking for an intern office assistant, to be based in our Cape Town office. The Intern will work closely with the National Administrator and Director, and will assist with office and organisational administration, logistics, event management and PR & Marketing.
This internship post would be best-suited to someone with excellent administration and writing skills who is interested in gaining high-level experience and insight into the inner workings of a fast-growing, high-impact national non-profit.
This internship opportunity is for 6 months – 1 year. The average week will vary, the ideal candidate will thrive in a changing environment and enjoy working independently with little supervision.
Duties include assisting with organisational administration and coordination. These duties are varied and likely to include (but not limited to):
- Overseeing and developing content for Ikamvayouth.org; Ikamvanitezone; social media (twitter, facebook,youtube, flickr & linkedin), dropbox
- Data entry
- Preparation for key provincial events throughout the year
- Event Coordination
- Researching/Compiling and writing articles for website/blog
Skills and qualities needed:
- Ability to take initiative, work with little supervision, be creative and deliver under pressure
- Organised and efficient; impeccable time management skills, data collection and reporting must be accurate
- Excellent writing and effective communication skills, both written and oral.
- A positive, friendly attitude, a passion for working with young people and a pro-active energy
- Must be adept at using computers (Excel, word, social media and internet, power-point) and able to work virtually (many discussions, meetings and document development occur collaboratively online);
Remuneration: R1200.
To apply please send a letter of motivation and CV to careers@ikamvayouth.org with the title ‘Internship’ in the subject line. Correspondence limited to shortlisted candidates only. Closing date 22 April 2013.
This week IkamvaYouth, Equal Education and the South African Education and Environment Project (SAEP) will host the annual Careers Indaba.
Businesses, NGOs, professionals, tertiary institutions and Further Education and Training colleges will run information stalls to grade 8-12 students from Khayelitsha, Nyanga, Makhaza, Strand, Kraaifontein, Masiphumelele and surrounding areas.
DATE: Friday, 19 April 2013
TIME: 13h00-17h00
VENUE: Zolani Centre, Sithandatu Avenue, Nyanga, 7750
ENTRY: free
Come wearing your school uniform!
Many learners face challenges when considering their tertiary studies. These challenges include insufficient access to information regarding academic and occupational options as well as affording the cost of further studies.
The Career Indaba provides assistance to learners making decisions about their future. Exhibitors will expose learners to a variety of careers paths and options. Learners will also have the opportunity to learn about scholarships and bursary programs that are available to them.
The programme will include workshops on CV writing, interviewing skills, personal development and study techniques.
For more information:
Marion Petersen
marion@ikamvayouth.org
m: 0798854388
t: 0214224306
Kate Wilkinson
kate@equaleducation.org.za
t: 0213870022
e: 0716824515
Lydia Wasilenko
lydia.eva@live.com
t: 0213870022
On the 12th of April 2013, IkamvaYouth KZN hosted its first Careers Indaba, at the Chesterville Youth Centre. The vision of the Career Indaba was to open up new opportunities for school learners, providing them with information regarding the various programs, resources and support structures that are available to them. By educating learners about the choices that are available to them, we sought to empower learners, allowing them to make informed decisions about their futures.
Learners from Umlazi and Chesterville schools flocked to the Centre, eager to learn about the vast opportunities open to them after they matriculate. Learners had an opportunity to visit various exhibiter stalls, as well as workshops presented by the Durban University of Technology, Varsity College, Eskom, and IkamvaYouth volunteers. Learners were asked about what they had gained/learned from having participated in this event, and if their career choices had changed in any way, this is what a few had to say:
“… when I chose to be a teacher I did not know about other careers, so now that I have learned I have many choices…” – Siphiwo Memela, Gr 9. Chesterville Extension Secondary
“… I wanted to become a lwayer, however looking at the subjects, needed, I changed it.” – Zamokuhle Shezi, Grade 12. Bonela Secondary
“Yes, I think it did and what caused it was the interesting technological and science things I saw from the Eskom team. It really drew a lot of my attention.” Zinhle Mvesa, Grade 11. KwaMathanda High
This event was made possible by the generous donation by Jeffares & Green, an environmental and environmental consulting company based just a few kilometres from the Centre. Jeffares & Green did not just splash money at the event, they actively participated by having representatives present the whole day, who spoke to learners about careers in the environmental management and engineering fields. It’s really fantastic to see the involvement of local businesses in community initiatives such as this.
Thanks also go to ABI, our Umlazi branch funders, who always step up to assist and participate in activities at both KZN branches. The generous supply of drinks and water went a long way in quenching the thirst of both learners and exhibiters on that hot day. We also had a computer donated by Capitec bank, which was raffled on the day.
David Moshoeshoe, a Grade 12 learner commented that the Careers Indaba “is a good initiative bringing information closer to people…”. For a first time effort in the province, I’d say the KZN team did an outstanding job, and we will definitely be back next year with an even bigger and better Careers Indaba. Watch this space!
The weekend consisted of planning for 2013 as well as an election to choose the new branch committee as well as choosing the different heads of the different portfolios. Present were more than 30 learners from different grades and tutors and they all had a chance to discuss the decision making, planning and electing the branch committee.
The Main goal of our SPW was to elect a branch committee (in charge of roles and portfolios) and for new volunteers (grade12 from last year returning) to take ownership of programme and become part of the management team. It was also a great weekend for the leaner reps and tutors to get to know each other better.
On Saturday we discussed the year program and we also had a look back at what happened in 2012. The morning started off with an introduction and the group explaining what their expectations of the weekend will be, we then discussed what happened in 2012 and then we ended with looking at what IkamvaYouth is doing well, what challenges we are facing, what IkamvaYouth is offering learners and the community and what we can do to improve the programme. We had a lot of first time branch committee members, but the rest of the group made them all feel included and welcome.
On Sunday the election took place and everyone had a chance to vote for the different nominees. The nomination and election process were very democratic and the nominees had to explain to the group why they were best suited for the different portfolios. The different portfolios were Tutoring, Volunteer Coordination, Career Guidance, Media, Image and Expression, Computer Literacy, Health and Life Skills and Alumni.
The different portfolio members also had to discuss their portfolios and present a plan of action for the group and will need to present this plan of action to all the Ikamvanites at Makhaza. They had to present their goals, when the goals should be reached and by whom. Emihle, a grade 8 learner and newly appointed portfolio member said that the weekend was a dream come true and that she enjoyed the interaction and discussions that took place and that she is really happy and proud for being chosen as part of the health and life skills portfolio.
Mandisi Gladile, a tutor says, “the weekend was really informative and made me realise the value IkamvaYouth adds not only to the learners but also the community and I feel really inspired for the things that we have planned for 2013.”
strategic_planning_week_2013.pdf
My name is Talent Chinogureyi. I am 19 years old. I joined Ikamva Youth in the year 2009 as I was doing grade 9 at Bonela Secondary School in Durban, after my school received an advert from this organization in search of less privileged students from less privileged communities who are passionate about passing in-spite of their financial standing.
I was found worthy enough to partake in this program. Consistently I attended throughout and I really benefited from it.
Since I joined, I noticed a sudden slight increase in my marks in almost all my subjects. Late in grade 9 we were required to choose subjects that we would like to do in grade 10 up to matric. I chose Physical Science, Mathematics, Accounting, and Life Science, alongside English Home Language, IsiZulu and Life Orientation.
These were the subjects that everyone else was running away from because of the failing rates. Well, I told myself that I could do it. With support from my teachers at school and my tutors from Ikamva Youth, I really made it.
I wrote my final exams and passed. Though I got the symbols I wasn’t expecting, considering all the work I put in, but I did passed with a bachelors degree pass, very much better that most of the students I matriculated with.
At Ikamva we had ‘Winter school’ were we engage in some activities, these included career guidance. They did really enlighten me about various careers available out there and what it takes to reach there. They even went ahead in inviting some people who can be our role models and mentors. In really enjoyed it because I had an opportunity to speak one-on-one with someone who is doing it already.
Looking back to my family’s financial instability, I thought I wasn’t going to reach university despite the fact that I passed. I just applied, for the sake of trying my luck. The universities I applied to include, ‘St Augustine College of SA’, which was introduced to me by Thabsile, Ikamva Youth District coordinator.
Just after the results came out, I received a message from this College offering me a place to study BCom(PPE) . I couldn’t accept this offer yet because I didn’t know where the funds were going to come from. Then a week later, I received an email notifying me that I have been given 90% bursary towards my tuitions to study this course, with the accommodation paid for. I was really overwhelmed, I couldn’t believe it because I had already told myself that I wasn’t studying this year at all because I tried to apply for student loans and some bursaries that I knew of, but they couldn’t grant me any because I’m not a South African citizen.
At this College no work is to be submitted hand-written, only typed work is to be submitted. My gratitude goes to Ikamva Youth for one of their programs called ‘Operation Fikelela’, where they taught us how to use computers, right from the basics. Now I do not have any problem concerning my assignments.
“YOU ARE A STAR! YOU HAVE IT IN YOU TO REACH THE TOP! GO FOR IT AND NEVER LOOK BACK!” These were the words from my class teacher – my motivation! Right now, things are not easy at all, university is unlike secondary school, but with these words I’m still upon my two feet.
Last but not least I would like to give God Almighty all the glory for making it possible for me to be where I am right now. Secondly I would like to thank the organization, Ikamva Youth as a whole, not forgetting all my tutors and the coordinator for such an amazing voluntary work, it is really going a long way. I would also like to thank my teachers at Bonela Secondary and everyone else who made me a person I am today. I really understand that in life, no one would make it on his/her own. ‘A PERSON IS A PERSON THROUGH THE PROPAGATION OF OTHER PEOPLE.’
Just over a year ago I was approached by Andrew Einhorn, a UCT grad student, who was interested in implementing an online maths program at Makhaza. All he needed was access to the lab, access to a class and a tutor. A year down the line not only he has completely revamped two of our branches labs in Makhaza and Nyanga, established a formal Khan Academy program in these branches (as well as other locations in Cape Town and rural Eastern Cape), but has produced results at very low costs, and is piloting in schools for 2013.
His passion for creating high impact and stimulating learning environments in township and rural locations often only privy to the wealthy few has seen him start Numeric, an NGO interested in finding ways to bring Khan Academy to South Africa and make it a useful resource to both teachers and learners. He presented an inspiring TEDxUCT talk last year outlining the background, as well as the impact and results Numeric has had. He also posted the following blog on the Khan Academy website:
A little over 15 months ago, we started an experiment. We wanted to know if Khan Academy was viable in township (slum) areas in South Africa and if so, what type of impact it might have on numeracy. Numeracy in South Africa is astonishingly weak, with just 2% of Grade 9s scoring over 50% on the annual national assessments in 2012.
And so we set out to see if Khan Academy might be used as a catalyst for change. But before I expound on the results of this experiment, I ought perhaps give a little more background on the environments we’re working in.
Townships in South Africa are not unlike the favelas of Brazil or the slums bordering Delhi and Calcutta in India. They are urban areas that were, until the end of Apartheid in 1994, reserved for non-whites, but have now become residential hubs for the urbanizing masses. They are typically built on the periphery of cities and tend to be characterized by high population density, poverty and unemployment. Picture a ramshackle of makeshift houses constructed out of corrugated iron, wood scraps and cardboard, jigsawed together into a gigantic maze 5 miles wide and 10 miles across. At the risk of generalising grossly, that’s more or less the picture I want you to have in mind as you read this article.
Now, townships in South Africa get a bad rap. They are viewed as ‘dangerous’ places and it is considered unwise to visit them unless you know someone there, or visit them as part of a ‘township tour’. Yet while crime rates in these areas are often high, the reputation does not do justice to the vibrant and persevering people who inhabit them. In particular, townships are YOUNG! On any given day, around two o’clock in the afternoon, the streets flood with uniformed, backpack-toting children on their way home from school. And despite having barely two pennies to rub together, they are meticulously dressed – shiny black shoes, starched white collars – and have aspirations to match. Most of the children in South Africa live in some form of township, which means that children growing up in these environments constitute the better part of the future of our country.
And yet it is supremely difficult to convince our best teachers to go and work in these areas. They are offered good jobs in well-resourced schools most often located in the wealthy suburbs of the cities. Principals at these schools compete fiercely for their skills. And this is as it should be. But it also entrenches the educational bias whereby a child’s access to quality education is directly proportional to the wealth of their family (see chart below).
* University exemption rate refers to the percentage of learners who attain the academic marks in their final year of school that are necessary to gain access to South African universities.
So Numeric’s experiment was to see whether we could use Khan Academy, in conjunction with a slightly less skilled (and often unqualified) math coach, to create the high impact and stimulating learning environments enjoyed by kids living in wealthier suburbs.
The opportunity provided by Khan Academy premised on the following: Videos do not argue about where they are played; they are unaffected by crime and environment. Appropriately licensed, they do not cost anything. They do not grow weary, skip class, or grow jaded. Instead, they convey their message enthusiastically, faithfully, clearly – time and time again. A child may watch just as many videos as he/she has appetite for, and need never feel limited by the dragging on of a boring class or an inept teacher. For many children in South Africa, a Khan Academy video will be their first exposure to what we might term ‘world class instruction’. When complemented by the exercises on the Knowledge Map, Khan Academy becomes a powerful tool for turning the tide on numeracy in South Africa.
So what were the results of the experiment? Well, it’s probably too early to draw any major conclusions, but we do have a few figures we’d like to share. We currently run 7 Khan Academy classes across 3 different hubs in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa. The first pilot group of 20 Grade 9s has just completed its first twelve months of Khan Academy and their numbers are as follows:
* Total Khan Academy hours delivered: 2220
* Total Problems Solved: 27,988
* Total Problems per learner: 1399
* Total Khan Modules Complete: 1232
* Average Modules per learner: 62
Bearing in mind this is an afterschool programme, these are 27,988 math problems that would not otherwise have been attempted. The 62 modules completed by the average learner constitute 62 gaps that those learners have filled. But it’s more about just the numbers; it’s about creating excitement and enthusiasm around learning. This is hard to convey in words, but perhaps a picture will suffice.
As we always say to our coaches, the tragedy in South Africa is not so much that kids don’t want to learn. It’s that some kids DO want to learn, but can’t. Khan Academy provides us one way to give these kids a world-class education without having to magically replenish our nation’s supply of teachers. And who knows, perhaps one day these kids will become the inspirational and talented teachers we have waited for for so long!
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Andrew Einhorn is the founder and current CEO of Numeric.org. His TEDx talk on Numeric.org and Khan Academy is available here.
Lloyd Lungu