The Ebony Park Branch hosted one of the best winter schools ever this year! With a cohort of 190 learners, the branch was a hub of excitement right from the first day. Our tutors did not disappoint as they came through with such motivation and determination to usher in the education revolution that our communities are in real need of.
On the first day, the 30th of June, we were proud to have one of our greatest role models, Khetha Dlamini as our guest speaker. All learners with 100% attendance in term 2 were awarded with special prizes and tutoring went underway straight after the opening ceremony. Tutoring was done differently this year as we decided to map out a programme of subjects that will be done throughout the 10 days. This was in an effort to make sure the learners cover all their subjects.
The branch partnered with organisations such as LoveLife and Extreme arts and these organisation took over the afternoon sessions until 4pm. LoveLife equipped the learners with HIV/AIDS knowledge whilst Extreme Arts helped the learners explore their artistic talents. There was also a debate club led by our committed volunteers that helped learners with knowledge on what debate is and how they can be good debaters.
The Foundation for Professional Development came through to conduct HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis testing on the 2nd of July and this gave the learners an opportunity to be responsible for their own health. The week got better and better, with Tzu Chi Foundation, coming through to donate rice and stationery to our learners.
On the 11th of July,our last day of tutoring, ABI hosted all our learners at their plant in Clayville. The learners enjoyed this excursion so much that they did not want to leave the ABI premises. Many young minds were inspired and many dreams took a giant leap towards their fulfillment. The most exciting thing is that our winter school can now be seen on a youtube channel (here) created by our media team.
Thanks to everyone who supported us!
At Ikamva I signed up for tutoring but when I got there I did not just became a tutor I also became a leader now I have leadership skills because at some point you have to lead the leaners on the right parts uplift their broken spirits and upgrade their way of thinking and the way that they see life. Some tutors are role models to the learners.
It takes a special person to volunteer themselves in improving other people’s lives. I learnt to speak to people without yelling and hauling because sometimes it’s fine to say the truth but the most important thing is how you say it, because words do discourage people when not said in the right manner.
I am Usiphe Ngwadla I am 22years old. A tutor at IkamvaYouth Makhaza branch, I am one of the new I started at Ikamva on the 17th of February this year. I have found myself a new family not just any family but a loving family. With the help of Ikamva i have become this matured and self-driven person that doesn’t need to be pushed to do something. No one tells me to follow my dreams anymore I push myself to where I want to be. Out of nowhere I stopped wondering and started doing because sometimes action speaks louder than words, and thoughts without action are meaningless. All of a sudden I stopped doing things to impress people now I do things to impress me more, and it is all thanks to IkamvaYouth.
I am moving forward because in 5 years’ time I don’t want cry over the times that i have waited trying to fix what I cannot fix, but I want to keep on trying no matter how many times I may fall, because it is not the times we have fallen that counts it the strategy that we’ll use to get up and carry on. It is the power inside us and the spirit in our hearts that counts. At Ikamva differences don’t matter all that matters is carrying on, because it is not the challenges that people face or their poor backgrounds that determines their future it is us and the decisions we make.
On the 6th of May, IkamvaYouth Ebony Park branch was invited to The Wits NGO Fair at Wits University campus organized by The Wits Citizenship and Community Outreach (WCCO). The Wits Citizenship and Community Outreach are formally known as the volunteer programme that provides students with an organized approach to community service. IkamvaYouth and many other organizations were invited to interact with the Wits community to exhibit their projects and also inform on how the Wits community can get involve in their projects.
The day started with organizations putting their gazebo’s and stands for students to come and learn about their projects/products. IkamvaYouth Ebony Park Branch staff members and intern, Thandeka Raphakga, took this opportunity to showcase what IkamvaYouth is all about to the Wits Community and also strengthens the relationship they already have with the Wits Community.
The day went on with students asking how can they get involve with IkamvaYouth, what programs does the organization offer, and what are the benefits involved in being a volunteer. Lots of students were eager to join the organization. It came as a surprise to see how people value voluntary work, as one of the students said “Voluntary work is part of a human’s responsibility to give back to the community and it also goes with passion for doing good things to society”. The Wits NGO Fair was a good platform for NGOs to introduce their respective organizations to the students and inform them about the importance of volunteering and also the opportunities involved with volunteering.
The massage is that, volunteering contributes meaningfully to the community while gaining leadership and interpersonal skills.
On Friday the 11th of April, University of Witswatersrand opened its doors to aspiring high school learners. 35, Ebony Park Grade 12’s came together to see what university life looks like as well as to decide on their tertiary options. With the help of our very committed volunteer Hlengiwe Radebe, the learners were divided into 3 specific groups upon arrival. The humanities groups was led by Nyasha Zvomuya, the Ebony Park Branch Coordinator. The commercials group was led by Michael Thema, the Ebony Park Branch Assistant, and the last group of aspiring scientists was led by Hlengiwe Radebe.
The open day was very organised with 30 minute seminars being hosted by different faculties in different lecture rooms. The facilitators explained what programmes were offered in their faculties, what the minimum admission requirements were and what career opportunities students could look forward to after completing their studies. The learners’ then had ample time to ask questions and meet the lecturers who teach in those faculties. It was a very exciting experience for our learners and has given them an even added push to do well in their final exams.
“I now know what is required for me to follow my dream to be a doctor, if I get accepted at Wits,” said Quintress Sefala, one of the Grade 12 learners. Another learner, Virginia Sibanda, could not express how grateful she was to get the opportunity to attend such a spectacular open day. She said, “Thanks to IkamvaYouth, we know that all things are possible”
On the 22nd of March, both Ebony Park and Ivory Park branches came together to plan for 2014. This years’ Strategic Planning Weekend (SPW) was held at The Barefoot Backpackers, a perfect spacious venue. The volunteers were met with some early morning tea and refreshments to wake everyone up to the busy day ahead.
To start off the day volunteers from Ivory Park, Emmanuel and Richard, introduced the SPW meeting and outlined firstly what IkamvaYouth is and facilitated the setting out of ground rules to guide the day. They laid out their expectations of what they wanted to see as the outcomes of the SPW. Mr Mashanda, the Gauteng District Coordinator took the stand and outlined what will be taking place and he emphasised that he expected all branch related issues to be addressed during the meeting.
Both Ebony Park and Ivory Park branches gave a brief overview of branch activities throughout 2013 and immediately after that the branches broke away into 2 separate groups. The task for the larger part of the morning was to discuss the challenges faced and devise ways to solve the challenges. It was interesting because the volunteers themselves facilitated these sessions and highlighted personal observations and the sessions were very interactive. Specific action points were decided upon and recorded and feedback will already be expected from the first branch committee meetings at the branches.
The last half of the day was dedicated to branch targets and electing a new branch committee for 2014. The enthusiastic vounteers now knew what was needed at the branches and became pro-active in choosing the right candidates to fill the different portfolios.
Overally, it was a very insightful day and it is amazing to see how much support the branches have. Both Ebony Park and Ivory Park volunteers have taken ownership of IkamvaYouth in their communities!
On the 15th and 16th March 2014, Masi hosted its annual SPW. Duing this weekend 20 learners, tutors and staff members came together to plan the year ahead taking into consideration all that has happened at the branch and all the hurdles that we must still overcome. Shuvai Finos (Nyanga Branch Coordinator) and Siphelele Madabula (Nyanga Branch Assistant) facilitated and ran the SPW.
The first part of the weekend was to trace the steps of the branch via a timeline that was done by the learners in collaboration with the tutors. Thereafter, the various challenges and burning issues of the branch were tabled out with the sole purpose of finding the more sustainable and realistic solutions going forward. After a very enlightening day of brain power and fun, the first day of SPW was done.
Day two began with was became the highlight of the weekend, the election of a new Branch Comm. It was interesting to see just how much potential in vested within each Masinite as they all stood and offered themselves to serve the Branch and be a beackon of hope in the community. After the excitement, it was back to work for us all. At this point, the Masinites had to lay out the year plan for the branch, ensuring that it was realistic and speacific. After a very tiring two days, SPW was done and all the attendees agreed that although they realised that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done, they were all very excited to see the branch grow. In the masi_spwreport_2014.pdf a more detailed report of all that happened during the weekend and all the great work that is to be done at the branch is provided. Please take some time to read through it and then watch this space. To infinity and beyond!
Lloyd Lungu