As if to beautifully summarise a wonderful year of celebration, the STARS Foundation has announced the winners of their annual STARS Impact Awards for 2013. IkamvaYouth has won in the category of Education in Africa-Middle East and celebrates along with many other deserving winners.
Director, Joy Olivier and National Coordinator, Zamo Shongwe are currently in London to receive the award at Kensington Palace on Saturday, 14th December 2013.
The STARS Foundation exists to provide innovative support to meaningful and effective organisations who serve children in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. We are happy to hear of their faith in IkamvaYouth and its ability to improve education for all.
The award will be received in tribute of former president, Nelson Mandela, IkamvaYouth celebrates his life and pursuits with gladness and honour.
“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world” – Nelson Mandela
*Image by Matthew Willman Photography
It is with great pride and thanksgiving that IkamvaYouth salutes late former president, Nelson Mandela.
We honour a formidable statesman who fought tirelessly for the freedom of our nation. He has left an impeccable example and we are privileged to have been graced by his presence and sacrifice.
IkamvaYouth shares Madiba’s heart for children and education and endeavour to implement the many values he left behind.
Here is what some of our staff had to say in reflection and remembrance:
It is due to Madiba’s vision for our country that we do the work we do, and indeed are even able to work together, side by side. We’re so fortunate to be living in this time. Our generation is doubly blessed: we have lived to see incredible changes in our country, and we have the opportunity to contribute towards realising the vision that sparked them. Equality between races, socio-economic transformation, justice and peace are the ultimate outcomes of vision 2030, and I feel so honored to be working towards these ideals with each of you.
– Joy Olivier, Director
As Ikamvanites, we agree with Madiba that ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’. We keep saying education is the passport out of poverty; the youth pulling themselves and each other out of poverty through education; and in our vision for 2030 we have declared a dignified living for all youths through education.
– Patrick Mashanda, Gauteng District Coordinator
It has been unbelievably sad…we knew this day would come. It’s been a highly emotional time of reflection for many people. It makes one evaluate his/her life; Mandela has been the epitome of service and humility; what most of us aspire to be but all we can ever hope to do is to try our best. Looking back at the choices one has made; I would say that working for IY is the right choice; a meaningful and worthy cause. Thank you to all who have made it possible. In his inaugural speech; May 1994; he said “We enter into a covenant that we shall build a society in which all South Africans; both black and white; will be able to walk tall; without any fear in their hearts; assured of their inalienable right to human dignity-a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world”. Joy how old were you then? Nine years after that speech you and Makhosi became a practical part of that covenant; setting in motion a process of acquiring dignity for all; through education…it may not be the easiest way of life; but we all know that it is the most rewarding.
– Monica Canca, Joza District Coordinator
Today we celebrate the life of our very own South African legend as delegates from all over the world and South Africans from all corners make their way to Soccer City despite the dull and rainy weather in Johannesburg for the State Memorial Service for Madiba. This world wide support encapsulates the very man that Tata was. We hope that we are reminded of the ideals that Tata stood for , that unity, peace and reconciliation will once again be a trademark for the South African people.
– Palese More, HR Coordinator
I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.”
Nelson Mandela
1918 – 2013
Here at IkamvaYouth we know that our alumni are an essential part of our success. We cannot emphasise enough how valuable this team of Ikamvanites are! With many returning to volunteer their services as tutors at branches across the country, we are incredibly proud of these young men and women.
Under the leadership of National Alumni Coordinator, Lewis Mash, Ikamva managed to track 70% of Ikamva’s alumni, conducting a survey to properly assess their post-Ikamva progress.
In this study we have concluded that in comparison with national averages, Ikamva’s alumni have greater chances of improved lives. We have also learned that Ikamvanites have a first year drop out rate of 17.5%, which is less than half the national average. Each year, more than 60% of Ikamvanites enrolled at tertiary institutes either graduate, or pass all required courses and progress to the next year of study.
For this and other interesting findings, which include how we can improve on our shortcomings, read our Alumni Report today.
Thank you to all Alumni who participated in the survey, and especially those that generously serve as tutors at IkamvaYouth branches nationwide.
As if to beautiful summarise a wonderful year of celebration, the STARS Foundation has announced the winners of their annual STARS Impact Awards for 2013. IkamvaYouth has won in the category of Education in Africa-Middle East and celebrates along with many other deserving winners.
Director, Joy Olivier and Gauteng District Coordinator, Zamo Shongwe are currently in London to and will receive the award at Kensington Palace on Saturday, 14th December 2013.
The STARS Foundation exist to provide innovative support to meaningful and effective organisations who serve children in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. We are happy to hear of their faith in IkamvaYouth and its ability to improve education for all.
As we bid farewell to the year which marks a decade of progressive services at IkamvaYouth, we would like to share snippets from our wonderful ten year celebration party with you.
The event was held on 3 October 2013 at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, Western Cape and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Keynote speaker, Minister Trevor Manuel, who described the past ten years as a decade of fighting for change shared his thoughts with much delight – you can now access a behind the scenes interview to hear what he had to say about IkamvaYouth.
Learn more about our findings, achievements and plans to scale up in future by viewing the link: IkamvaYouth E-Newsletter November 2013
Entering the second week of Winter School 2013 was exciting for all KZN Ikamvanites, we had gotten the hang of things. The first week had been exciting, challenging and a lot of fun. Learners were looking forward with anticipation to what was in store for them for week two.
Tutoring continued as usual, in the mornings with activities and talks planned for the afternoon sessions. In this the second week, the Love Life Mpintshis continued to give valuable life lessons to learners, while DSW came in to speak about waste management and gave away prizes to those learners who participated actively in the waste management talk. Media, Image and Expression workshops were held where we saw learners learning to express themselves in ways they knew how, ranging from poetry to acting, singing and dressing up in a way that represented their personalities.
The last group of learners did the amazing race, this was the best group by far. They complained, they cried, they argued but they kept going at it. This race taught many of life’s lessons which I don’t think the learners noticed at the time but there were lessons to be learnt like working as a team, persevering and accountability just to mention a few.
The matrics were fortunate to be afforded a chance to watch the movies of the set books they are reading in English. We had Shakespeare’s Othello, Nothing But The Truth and Animal Farm playing for the learners. This was aimed at assisting them to get a better understanding of the books through a visual medium. The English lecturers were also there to assist them with any questions they may have had. For those who don’t do any of the above mentioned books we entertained them with a movie “My Name is Khan”. The lessons in this movie ranged from perseverance to going after what you believe in to kindness being rewarded and the truth being able to set you free. Again the matrics were taken through a financial literacy workshop by Capitec. This was seen as a very important tool for them as they would not only be equipped academically for the “big bad world” but they would also have financial health knowledge. Grade 11 learners had the opportunity to write a Maths Test also supplied by Capitec to gauge their levels of literacy in Maths.
We were also graced by the visit of our National Coordinator, Zamo Shongwe, who came in for two days in the second week. She really just reminded us of why we were there as staff and volunteers and encouraged us to continue pressing on. She also firmly reminded us that we should carry ourselves in a way that is admirable and that the learners can take a pattern from with regards to behavior, the way we speak to each other and to learners, dress code (no caps indoors) and drawing the line between learner and adult.
When we came to the end of week 2, we were tired and drained but content, our goal had been achieved. There were no major setbacks and we all took something away from this experience.
Lloyd Lungu