Education South Africa Project #48902

Empowering Winterveldt, South African Youth

by Bokamoso Life Centre

Summary

Bokamoso Life Centre (BLC) empowers disadvantaged youth through individual and family counseling, life and job skills training, HIV/AIDS and reproductive health education, computer training, artistic and recreational expression, scholarships for tertiary education, vocational training and a Cultural Exchange Program to the United States. More than 1,300 students have completed the program, 270 youth have participated in the Exchange Program, and over 400 scholarships have been awarded.

$25,000
total goal

$16,910
remaining

52
donors

0
monthly donors

2
fundraisers

4
years

Challenge

Young people in Winterveldt frequently do not complete high school. Crime, drug use, dysfunctional families, unwanted pregnancies and HIV/AIDS infections are common problems. Youth unemployment is over 50% and only 4.2 % access tertiary education. Families lack running water, electricity, sanitation and food. This community is in a decades-long cycle of poverty, unemployment, and poor health. There are few places in the community for the youth to turn to help them break the cycle.

Solution

The Bokamoso Life Centre (BLC) provides a path to personal and economic success. A professional staff provides essential services not available to the youth in Winterveldt. Through structured social services programs, access to tertiary education and vocational training, meals and cultural exchange, BLC helps empower at-risk youth to develop their full potential, and to become independent citizens with the skills to improve the quality of their lives and that of their families and community.

Long-Term Impact

The outcomes are clear. At BLC, more than 1,300 youth have received life-skills training. Awarding over 400 scholarships has made it possible for 250 Winterveldt youth to attend university or vocational training. Over 235 youth have participated in cultural exchange. Bokamoso graduates are employed in many professions and several have launched businesses. "Bokamoso" means future. We believe in the spirit of Ubuntu "I am because you are". Youth are the future, and helping youth, helps us all.