Empowering Winterveldt, South African Youth

GLOBAL GIVING

BOKAMOSO LIFE CENTRE QUARTERLY REPORT

DECEMBER 2023

As the Bokamoso Life Centre approaches the end of 2023, it upholds its mandate to provide youth with emotional support, Life Skills and opportunity for education and career development.  

In January 2023, the Centre experienced the largest number in its history of youth who were interested in enrolling  in the Centre’s programs.  The majority of them indicated their particular interest in the Centre’s Security training, Life Skills (Youth Development Program) and Computer Proficiency.  Regrettably, due to financial constraints, several youth were forced to leave the program, but we are pleased to report that over 50 beneficiaries will graduate from the program on December 7, 2023.  Approximately 90% of these anticipated graduates have been trained (and some still training) in Computer Course Level 3 and will receive their certificates from MICSETA by the end of this year or early January 2024. 

Scholarships 2023

7 scholarships were awarded this quarter to Bokamoso graduates to pursue post-secondary studies in a variety of majors/disciplines, including engineering, tourism and policing.  They will be studying at several local colleges and universities including Tshwane North College, UNISA, Thswane University of Technology, Vaal University of Technology and Denver College.

Additional scholarship applications are currently under review for approval and subsequent post-secondary study in 2024.

Life Skills and Computer Training

Since April 2023 the Centre has trained  approximately 120 youth in Life Skills and approximately 75 youth in Computer Literacy (Level 3). The computer course is accredited by MICSETA and beneficiaries receive certificates upon completion of the third month.  Bokamoso Youth who complete this certificate program, can use this well-respected credential to apply for full-time employment.

Success stories

The BLC has also trained beneficiaries in Security Services (EDC grades) as part of the scholarship program. In 2023, 11 Security Program graduates have found full-time employment, with such organizations at the South African Police Services (SAPS), The Department of Correctional Services (DCS), the Department of Health, Vaal University of Technology and Tshwane University of Technology.

Stakeholder involvement

BLC beneficiaries have also had the opportunity to attend workshops sponsored by the following stakeholders:

üChildline – Female BLC beneficiaries attended a workshop on Gender-based Violence

üCATHCA - held an event at BLC where BLC youth and residents of the surrounding community and families attended a LGBTQ+ workshop

üChildline – Hosted a workshop for Young male BLC beneficiaries to help them to identify and address issues commonly faced by young men in their community.

üImisebe Ye Langa – Provides BLC youth with guidance on how to manage and address social issues. They also intervene when families of beneficiaries need social assistance such as food parcels or medical attention.

Conclusion

Bokamoso Life Centre with the support of Bokamoso Youth Foundation and the Department of Social Development, is continuously empowering youth and changing lives of many underprivileged and poverty-stricken families.

BOKAMOSO LIFE CENTRE

GLOBAL GIVING QUARTERLY REPORT

AUGUST 2023

Core programs in art, dance,  youth development and life skills continue on course as the Centre heads into winter break, enjoying the largest enrollment of youth in the Centre’s history. What follows are some select highlights of programs and activities since the submission of the last quarterly report in April 2023.

PREPARATIONS FOR 2024 CULTURAL EXCHANGE:

The Bokamoso Life Center’s Board, staff and youth remain hopeful that the Center can resume its annual cultural exchange program in the United States, January-February 2024.  This eighteen-year old program was interrupted for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   Efforts are underway at the Center to identify the youth and staff who will represent Bokamoso in 2024 and to begin training in music, dance, theatre and choreography.   During this five-week exchange program, the youth perform traditional South African songs and dance at various schools, churches and community organizations in or near  Greater Washington, D.C.    The Exchange Program was launched in 2008 by the then-Arts teacher at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland.  Bokamoso youth attend classes at St. Andrew’s, perform in the community and live with St. Andrew’s host families.   As part of this exchange, St. Andrew’s students travel to the Bokamoso Life Center during their spring break.  Hopes remain high that this successful and meaningful program will resume in 2024.  A representative from St. Andrew’s who teaches International Development will visit the Centre this month to discuss the resumption of this exchange program in 2024.

CHILDLINE ORGANIZATION:

Childline Organization invited Bokamoso beneficiaries (girls only ) and staff to attend an event in June on surviving trauma.  Childlline is a non-governmental organization established to help protect children from all forms of violence and to establish a culture that embraces and protects children’s rights in South Africa. The training provided an evidence-based framework for the management of trauma, laws on sexual offenses, and the application of legal processes related to sexual and other offenses. It also was designed to provide an understanding of psychoeducation, and demonstrate an understanding of both risk and protective factors.  The training also offered guidance to Center staff on how to effectively perform psychoeducation intervention for clients, parents and partners, as well as skills to help prepare youth victims prepare for court. This event was extraordinarily informative, powerful and meaningful.

NELSON MANDELA DAY:

Nelson Mandela Day is an International Day of celebration in honor of the late Nelson Mandela.  It is recognized each year on July 18, Nelson Mandela’s birthday.  This annual recognition in honor of Mr. Mandela was declared by the United Nations in 2009 in recognition of his values and service to humanity. On this day, the United Nations invites us all to make a difference in our communities.  This year, the Centre organized its staff, youth and their families to clean and beautify the Centre’s interior and grounds.

SOUTH AFRICA YOUTH DAY:

Preparations are under way at the Bokamoso Life Center to celebrate national youth day.  More on this will be reported in the next quarterly report in November 2023.

FUNDRAISING:

The grant received from The Old Mutual Superfund has been put to very good use. Ten Bokamoso youth, identified as having particular need, received food parcels in April and in May.  Resources from this grant were also used to cultivate a vegetable garden that is flourishing and that will also serve to help alleviate local poverty and food vulnerability in the community.  A portion of the grant funds have also been used to acquire needed crockery, cutlery and dishes for the Centre as stipulated in the proposal and in the grant approval.  The full report on the application of these funds is available upon request.

Efforts remain ongoing to raise additional funds from other sources, including the Marr-Munning Trust Organization, The South African Department of Social Development and the South African Department of Health. 

Members of the BLC Board of Directors also attended a briefing session led by the NLC at the Mabopane Skills Centre on fundraising strategy, timing and positioning.

endreport