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.