It is important to explore different cultures with others and there are so many ways to do so.
On Tuesday the 14th of August, the Ebony Park homework session was a hub of activity as the volunteer Pakistani interns decided to celebrate Pakistani Independence Day with the learners. After the homework session, Akbar Raza, along with Rafay and Abdul Samad Zia, taught the learners the Pakistani National Anthem ‘Dil Dil Pakistani!!’. The learners and Interns had a real great time. The video of this exciting moment can be viewed
here.
Believe it or not, our young Ikamvanites are on the road to learning “Urdu” the official Pakistani language.
IkamvaYouth branches in Chesterville and Umlazi need tutors, mentors, workshop facilitators, and administrative interns. This is a great opportunity to gain experience working with youth and community projects, build your skills, and help the youth of today.
Find out how on our volunteer_invite.doc.
Do you know what you want to do after Matric?
This is a hard decision, one that requires a lot of information and careful consideration, but IkamvaYouth and Equal Education are here to help. We would like to invite you to our 2012 Careers Indaba.
Come join us on the 14 September 2012 in the Zolani Centre in Nyanga (across the road from the Nyanga bus and taxi rank), and is open to grades 8-12.
Address:
The Zolani Centre,
Sithandatu Avenue,
Nyanga
7750
Directions to Zolani Centre
From Cape Town city centre:
Get on to the N2 toward the Cape Town Airport and Somerset West.
At junction 18 take right on to Borcherds Quarry Road (signposted to Nyanga/M22)
Follow this road down to the T- junction at the taxi rank and take a left on to Sithandatu Avenue
The Zolani Centre is on your left immediately and you can turn into the car park straight after the first set of robots.
The purpose of the Careers Indaba is to expose you to new opportunities, provide information about various study options, learnerships and volunteer programs, resources and support structures. In addition the Careers Indaba will offer workshops on CV writing, interview techniques and personal development. These are skills you will need wherever your path takes you!
Why should I come?
Whether you want to continue your studies, start working; find out about on the job training these choices require information and planning. Alternatively do you want to apply for a volunteer program or internship? It is important to start investigating your options now. At the Careers Indaba you will be able to talk directly to the people who are there to guide you in the right direction.
What are my options?
1/ Continue your studies: Do you want to become a teacher, doctor, electrician, scientist, a lawyer, hairdresser, accountant or nurse? All these positions require you to study further. At the Careers Indaba you will be able to discuss your options for universities, colleges, and Further Education Training (FET colleges)
2/ Working & on-the-job training: Do you want to make your own way and be an entrepreneur? Find our what it involves running your own business or learn while working through learnership programmes. At the Careers Indaba you will be able to find out about these options.
3/Volunteering, Internships and Gap Year Programmes: Do you want to spend some time deciding what your next step is, or getting to know yourself and the world about you a little better? Do you want to give back to your community or volunteer and gain valuable experience in a specific field? The Careers Indaba will give you the opportunity to find out more about this.
Spread the word, looking forward to seeing you all there!
This past Saturday (4th August) Umlazi had it’s very first parent’s meeting. It was a bit disapponting to see just 10 parents at the meeting. Most parents called and sms’d saying they can’t make it. This raises the question of weather parents show enough interest in their child’s education. Are they really showing their child that they as parents are there for them.
The meeting was intimate and we got a chance to talk to the willing parents about their children and how much they, as parents, participate in the learners school experience. It seemed to me as though most parents do not really kno whow to help learners feel more confidence and motivation towards school. The big debate is, is it the parents duty to ensure the child is performing well at school or is the sole responsibility of the learner.
Some parents feel that their children are not giving school enough energy and dedication. They see the issue, but are clueless as to how to fix it. They feel that the children need to up their concentration levels and general love for learning. Some parents are commending the work we do though, they see improvements in the childrens academic perfomance already. With only 1 term behind us, it is very fulfilling to know that we already made a difference in some learners lives.
Something must be done to motivate learners. There has to be a way that we as IkamvaYouth can work hand-in-hand with parents to do something about this issue.
By Charmaine Gxekwa, Lindokulhe Ntombana, Aphiwe Tukani and Phumza Kibi
ENKE-MAKE YOUR MARK!!!
WHY WE APPLIED FOR ENKE
We wanted to gain knowledge and improve our skills by interacting and learning from other people. We wanted to get to know other people and their backgrounds. It was mostly about us adapting to other environments and working together towards a common goal, trying to change our environment as the youth.
WHAT WE LEARNT FROM ENKE
We learnt how to work as a team and most importantly that everyone plays a role in the team. We discovered who we really are and that everyone matters. We learnt to never underestimate people before you really know them and never let anyone tell you what to do when you know you’re capable of more. We also created friendships with different people from different backgrounds. We now have the knowledge of how one can change their environment matter how small the change is, it makes a difference at the end of the day it all matters.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?
We are going to go back to our communities and identify a passion, major concern or problem that we to have and try to improve or change it .We are going to carry out our own projects as the youth and try to make a change, for we are the future leaders. Anything is possible and we intend to prove that. We want to create a movement, to create a better world for the future generation. We want to be the change we want to see in the world. We want to run a project that will help and inspire the community or change someone’s life. We intend on making a huge difference.
Visit the ENKE website: www.enke.co.za
Tuesday 24 July was an exciting day for the Ebony Park learners as they continued in the spirit of Mandela Month by giving back to their community. “Charity begins at home,” most learners said, whilst they decided on where exactly in the community they would spread the Mandela Month spirit.
Our Ikamvanites decided to give back by going to a Nursery School called Mission House located on the same premises as IkamvaYouth. The afternoon was filled with different activities including cleaning the house, decorating and painting the play areas. The principal of the School, Mrs Lindiwe Nxusa, was so overwhelmed with gratitude that all she could do was hug everyone close to her. She has encouraged our Ikamvanites to continue with all the great work.
Mandela Day is a call to action for individuals – for people everywhere – to take responsibility for changing the world into a better place, one small step at a time, just as Mr Mandela did. We are all determined to play our part in making South Africa a better place for all.
Lloyd Lungu