“On the third Saturday of September each year (20 September 2014), volunteers around the world take part in the world’s biggest coastal clean-up, known as International Coastal Clean-up Day. The event has been held internationally each year for over 20 years, when people head to the beaches and begin removing debris and rubbish from shorelines, waterways and oceans”.
This year was no different, as the Western Cape Ikamvanites took to the Helderberg Marine protected area coast to clean the 4 km of beach which is the least disturbed part of the northern shore of False Bay. The Western Cape Ikamvanites came out in numbers and were more than excited to participate in such a great initiative of keeping our coasts clean.
Sesethu Soboyisi says “If the current generation doesn’t take care of the earth, what kind of earth will the next generation inherit?”
“The Clean-up was fun, it took us outside of our usual areas of residence and had us doing something good for Mother Nature” says Bubele Fokazi
This great day was made possible by various partners, thanks to the ERM team for inviting Ikamva to the coastal clean-up day.
Thank you very much to Arne Purves for the beautiful pictures, as found on this blog.
IkamvaYouth are partnering with the Western Cape government and Action Volunteers Africa (AVA) in an exciting new project to implement high-impact after-school programmes in secondary schools in the Western Cape while developing the skills and proficiencies of young leaders. Today saw Helen Zille and Ministers of Cultural Affairs and Sport and WCED launch the Year Beyond programme.
Helen Zille meets the MOD Centre teams at this mornings press conference
The Year Beyond project will improve the after-school programmes offered through the school’s MOD Centres by increasing the range of after-school activities. The programme will include IkamvaYouth model tutoring, tech-assisted English and Maths tuition through Fundza and Siyavula respectively, and practical clubs that will introduce robotics, coding, and media.
The project has attracted applications from over 100 grade 8/9s in just 2 schools who are all eager to take their futures into their own hands. They are supported in this after-school space by a fantastic bunch of change makers who hail from all walks of life but share a passion for youth and development. These young graduates are paying-it-forward by volunteering their time to serve as role models for these aspiring learners.
The launch of the Year Beyond programme
The involvement of numerous organisations, departments and people has produced an exciting collaborative approach to youth development and one that IkamvaYouth wholeheartedly supports. IkamvaYouth is a value based organisation and one of the core principles is peer-to-peer support and collaboration. To see this happening on a large scale with governmental involvement is a huge step for IkamvaYouth as an educational non-profit. It is hoped that this form of government – non-government partnership can become a model for operation in order to reach more learners with high-quality after-school programmes.
Vision 2030 was conceived by IkamvaYouth in 2012, which is the vision to see every grade 1 learner who starts school in 2018 to matriculate or the equivalent by 2030, and to access a post-school opportunity of their choice that sets them on the path to earn a dignified living. This is an audacious goal and one that requires many hands and minds.
The Year Beyond project offers an opportunity to engage in true collaboration towards a common goal. It is hoped that this is the first of many partnerships that will open the doors of after-school programmes to young people all across the country.
For more information on the Year Beyond project, IkamvaYouth and how we can work together to enable more learners to achieve their dreams please contact zoe@ikamvayouth.org or alex@ikamvayouth.org
IkamvaYouth is looking for a highly motivated, creative thinker to join the Cape Town office and assist with the Community Collaboration project and general administration for at least 3 days a week from September – December 2014. The internship is voluntary, but a stipend will be offered to cover transport costs.
IkamvaYouth has a 10 year track record of changing the face of education in townships by enabling disadvantaged youth to pull themselves and each other out of poverty with education. IkamvaYouth now has 10 branches throughout the country and is a by-youth-for-youth South African organisation that equips learners with knowledge, skills, networks and resources to access tertiary education and/or employment opportunities once they matriculate. Learners in Grades 8-12 participate in after-school tutoring, career guidance and mentoring provided by volunteers. Most volunteers are university students and many are ex-learners who have returned to pay-it-forward.
The community collaboration project is an initiative that is building a network of organisations who are working in the after-school space and strengthening these programmes through the sharing of resources, ideas and solutions. The ultimate aim is to replicate the impact that IkamvaYouth has had by supporting other organisations to deliver high impact tutoring programmes.
The project is in its pilot phase and has a lot of scope for development and expansion. We are therefore looking for an intern who is flexible and eager to run with projects and take initiative to make it happen! You will work with vaious staff members and get introduced to many different aspects of the organisation.
The responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):
- Desktop research e.g. learning resources, organisational profiles, education statistics, technology solutions etc. etc.
- Potential field research
- Networking with community organisations
- Scheduling and coordinating events
- Marketing and social media
- Writing; articles, training materials,
- Assisting with coordination and facilitation of workshops
- Consolidating data and assisting with the use of education management software
Specific requirements:
- Undergraduate degree (or other tertiary level qualification) preferably in a related field
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Fluency in an additional National language Xhosa/Afrikaans is a huge advantage
- Own transport/drivers license
- Use of own laptop
- Comfortable working in township communities
- Competent with Word, Excel and Power Point
General requirements:
- Positive friendly attitude
- Responsible and reliable
- Committed to making a difference
- Have a social entrepreneurial spirit
Watch this short animation about our model and impact. Please make sure that you have read about the organisation on our website before submitting an application. If you are interested in this position please email your CV and motivational letter to zoe@ikamvayouth.org by 29th August 2014.
Varsity College continues to demonstrate the willingness and wilfulness to partner with IY in our vision for young people’s education in South Africa. Hosting Ikamvanites for the Cell C girl child day in May was only the start. Toward the end of our Winter School in July, the college donated boxes of files, folders, notes and thesauruses for Ikamvanites to use. WC and Joza Matrics benefitted from the use of the thesauruses during their matric camp and now WC branches have added to their libraries, which received 7 thesauruses each. The learners have also received folders in which to store notes, timetables and stationery, and notes on different subjects that have previously been used by Varsity College students.
Thank you Varsity College for your generous donation!
After an intense 2 weeks of tutoring and workshops for almost 100 learners, Nyanga tutors spent a very well deserved afternoon at Ace’s in Khatyelitsha, for their tutor appreciation.
This year’s tutor appreciation was unique and extra special, since the majority of tutors who participated are Nyanga ex-learners from the classes of 2011, 12 and 13. As such, the tutor appreciation became something of a re-union for these Nyanganites who were once learners together, and are now paying it forward by tutoring younger ikamvanites during school and university holidays.
The superheroes chose the theme ‘Lets cool the sweat’ in recognition of the hard work they put in over the 10 days of Winter School during the July holidays.
One of the tutors had the following to say: ‘I really agree with the team when they say we’re cooling the sweat. We worked very hard those 10 days; running to Zolani Centre in the morning to catch the bus, intense tutor meetings with disagreements and livey debates and of course the tutoring everyday.’
Well done to our committed volunteers who made Winter School a success, and your appreciation event was well deserved!
Palm Stationery Manufactures Sponsors Makhaza with over 300 books
More than 10 Boxes full of books and stationery were delivered in Makhaza on Friday, 8 August 2014 by Palm Stationery. This donation was made to assist learners in keeping record of their studied material and to be able to evaluate their work.
Palm Stationery Manufactures are based in KwaZulu Natal, the company was established in August 1995. Palm Stationery Manufacturers have grown from a manufacturer of solely schoolbooks to manufacturers of an entire range of scholastic and office stationery products as well as polypropylene document filing solutions.
They have recognized the great impact that has been achieved by IY. Their amazing contribution will insure that learners have stationery supplies up until they close school for the year.
The great contribution was welcomed with such excitement by the learners as each one got a book, ruler, pencil and pen that they can always bring with them when to their tutoring sessions. The books will serve as study and revision notes for all learners for all the work they cover in tutoring sessions and practicing at home.
One grade 8 learner beaming with excitement said “These books have come at a right time as all my books are near full, I am thankful to the amazing people at Palm stationery”.
On behalf of IkamvaYouth and its learners, I would like to forward a huge thank you for your generous contribution in support of our mission.
Lloyd Lungu