To download the report from the Afternoon Brain-Storming and Action Plan Click here.
Both the Ebony Park and Ivory Park branches in Gauteng came together on Saturday the 17th of March from 12:30pm to 3:30 pm. The reason for the afternoon Strategic Planning Session was to introduce IkamvaYouth to all new volunteers and also brainstorm on how we can improve the IkamvaYouth experience for the learners and the tutors.
We had over 50 volunteers attending, including the Branch Committee members for both branches, and the topics that were discussed that afternoon were:
- What can we do to make the tutoring experience better for both the learner and the tutor?
- What ideas do we have for the Matrics given that they cannot come regularly on Saturdays?
- In what ways can we show some tutor appreciation?
- How do we improve the career guidance programme?
- Do you have any ideas for side-projects (either: tutor or learner-driven)?
One of the volunteers Paul Khokololo said, “The planning session was such an informative session and would definitely help the tutors to become better at helping the learners. Participating and working together to make suggestions and additions to IkamvaYouth has been an awesome experience.”
We are moving forward!
For a report of the Afternoon and Action Plan Click here
702_radio.zipIt was not an ordinary Sunday morning for the Ebony Park Branch Coordinator and three eager Ikamvanites on the 11th of March 2012. This is because by 5:30am the four were at the Talk Radio 702 studios ready to tell South Africa on live radio, how being Ikamvanites has changed their lives drammatically.
The talk show host, Quereshini Naidoo, was so excited to see all these bright faces surrounding her and immediately began to ask a series of questions concerning what IkamvaYouth does and how they achieve their goals.The learners were asked why they joined IkamvaYouth, what they struggled with at school and how they have are giving back to society after being given such an opportunity.
Some of the listeners called in and sent messages asking the Coordinator and the Ikamvanites questions and it became very apparent that there is so much more work to be done to help the South African township youths to get good education and ultimately access into tertiary. The conclusion of the interview was a profound message from the Ikamvanites, “If you want change, it begins with you. Change is up to you, you can be whatever you want to be”
The DG Murray Trust has made a significant investment in IkamvaYouth, towards core operational costs and to enable an independent evaluation of our impact, which Dr Servaas van den Berg is currently conducting.
The Trust has also recently published a learning brief from IkamvaYouth. Read the full report here to learn more about our organisation, how we began, how we operate, the impact we’ve achieved to date and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.
The newest branch of IkamvaYouth in Ivory Park – supported by African Bank – officially opened its doors to 90 local learners in Grades 10 and 11 on Saturday 11 February 2012 and the tutoring sessions were quickly in full swing. The brand-new Ikamvanites were selected from over 700 applicants and it was an incredibly difficult job trying to work out who we think are going to be the most committed learners this year.
A number of our longest serving volunteers have moved across from the established Ebony Park branch to the new Ivory Park branch to help us get started and ensure we do things the unique IkamvaYouth way. The energy and dedication evident in our new group of learners is infectious and it’s impossible to attend a session and not feel like something special is happening in Ivory Park.
We have been massively privileged to welcome a number of volunteers from the University of Johannesburg and even though many of these volunteers are themselves brand-new Ikamvanites, they have fitted in seamlessly and their contribution is hugely valued and important. We have to express a big thank you to all the new and returning volunteers at all the IkamvaYouth branches but we especially want to thank the new cohort at Ivory Park as it is this group that will help us begin a journey that will continue to benefit learners from the Ivory Park community even long after these volunteers have moved on to other things themselves.
Finally, we have to say a massive thank you to African Bank for sponsoring the new branch and we look forward to reporting on significant improvement in the grades and results of the first group of Ivory Park IkamvaYouth learners who will graduate in 2013.
To volunteer at either of our Gauteng branches, sign up to our weekly volunteer emailing list here. Free transport is available every Saturday from both Wits and UJ.
District Co-ordinators IkamavaYouth
IkamvaYouth is a township-based non-profit organisation, established in 2003. With branches in 7 townships nationally and a growth plan in place, IkamvaYouth seeks to appoint 3 District Co-ordinators:
– Eastern Cape based in Grahamstown
– Gauteng based in Midrand
– Western Cape based in Cape Town
S/he will be based at township, and must be an enthusiastic and pro-active social entrepreneur who is passionate about the power of education to transform lives and communities, a person who aims to make a difference.
This is an exciting opportunity to join an amazing team of change makers and 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.
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 & 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
An individual with excellent communications skill, both written and verbal will feel at home in this position. A background in project management or the NGO sector will be considered but is not essential. If you are driven, reactive, flexible and able to work with others to help them reach their potential, then this could be the position for you.
Please view www.ikamvayouth.org for more information about the organisation and send a CV and strong motivational letter to: zamo@ikamvayouth.org
Salary expectation R15,000 –R18,000 (Depending on experience)
Closing date 09 March for Western Cape and Gauteng position.
Closing date 30 May for Easten Cape position.
Correspondence limited to short listed candidates only. No late applications wil be considered.
IkamvaYouth Gauteng hosted a very successful Open Day this past Saturday, 21st of January 2012, at the IkamvaYouth Centre in Ebony Park. The day started at 9:30 am with a spectacular turn out of over 700 people. The hall was filled to capacity and there was a hub of excitement from the learners, parents, volunteers and other supporters.
Several activities took place with the Branch Co-ordinator, Joe Manciya, introducing IkamvaYouth to all those who attended. He encouraged the learners to take their education seriously as their future is in their hands and pointed out that IkamvaYouth in Gauteng had opened a second branch located in Ivory Park. The day was filled with lots of information and fun, with Ikamvanites providing entertainment through music and dance. The successful Ikamvanites who matriculated in 2011 also got a chance to speak to the crowd, encouraging their peers to take their education more seriously by becoming an Ikamvanite.
Several sponsors were present, including ABI and The Tzu Chi Foundation. ABI, which was represented by Beverly Selepe, their CSI Specialist, donated the branding that was used on the day, t-shirts, beverages and entertainment. The Tzu Chi Foundation was represented by Howard and announced that they had made four, R20 000 scholarships available to the 2011 successfully matriculated Ikamvanites towards their tertiary education. These successful matriculated Ikamvanites were strongly encouraged to apply.
In conclusion, the Open Day was a resounding success, many of the learners took the application forms after the presentations and IkamvaYouth is looking forward to a very successful 2012 with all your continued support.
Lloyd Lungu