Empowering Winterveldt, South African Youth

BOKAMOSO LIFE CENTRE

UPDATE ON PROGRAMS AND THE PROGRESS

Quarterly Report:  July 2024

As we head into mid-year, The Bokamoso Life Centre continues to fulfill its mandate of providing support and essential life-skills programming to the underserved youth of Winterveldt and neighboring townships.  These programs provide youth and young adults, ages 17-25, with emotional support, Life Skills and other opportunities and training for continuing their post-secondary education and career development.  

Enrollment:

In January we had an initial enrollment of over hundred (100) youth for our Youth Development Program (YDP), among our highest single annual number of enrolled students in the Centre’s history. At present, enrollment stands at sixty-five (65). Several youth dropped out to secure paid employment, while others sought other interests and opportunities that more directly responded to their current needs. Sixty-five is a more normal enrollment number for the Centre.

All of BLC’s 2024 beneficiaries receive Life Skills training and have also each begun computer training which is Level 3 Accredited.

Life Skills and Computer Training

As of the date of this report, Since January 2024 a total of twenty-seven (27) beneficiaries have already completed their training in Life Skills and Computer Training, and are currently awaiting their certificates.

As stated above, in addition, Bokamoso is currently training 65 additional youth.

ARTS: 

A core program at the Centre is training in performing and visual arts. Bokamoso youth are currently preparing for auditions for the 2025 Cultural Exchange trip to the United States. The auditions will take place on the 31 July 2024.  A report on the outcome of these auditions will be submitted in the next quarterly report.

Scholarship 2024

BLC offers qualifying youth with scholarships to pursue post-secondary education as well as vocational training to help advance their studies and professional careers.  Over the course of its history, BLC has awarded approximately 500 scholarships since 2008. These are full, not partial scholarships that provide support for school fees, books, materials and transportation.  In addition to the 20 Bokamoso Youth already on scholarships who carried over to this year, in 2024, BLC awarded additional scholarships to 18 new youth beneficiaries. 

The breakdown is as follows:

• Tshwane North College 2 beneficiaries training in Hospitality and Art design respectively
• UNISA (University of South Africa) is 2 beneficiaries training in Education and Auxiliary Social Worker respectively
• Cape Peninsula University 1 beneficiary taken a course in Clothing Engineering
• 4 beneficiaries in Beauty Academy
• 8 beneficiaries trained as security officers at the Jozzman Security training Centre
• Tshwane South College 1 beneficiary taken a course in Civil Engineering starting second semester.

Fundraising Achievement

The Centre has received funding from the Department of Social Development for FY 2024/2025 to continue the Computer Training Program.  Additional funding was received from the Department of Health to fund the new HIV/AIDS awareness and Treatment Program.   

Stakeholder involvement

In 2024, the following stakeholders are involved and work in partnership with the Bokamoso Life Centre:

ü  Itumeleng Wellness Solutions Company trains 30 Bokamoso youth in opportunities for various entrepreneurship opportunities

ü New Venture Creations is a local franchise, that is also introducing Bokamoso youth to opportunities for entrepreneurship. Youth beneficiaries who complete this program will be awarded a National Certificate NQF Level 2 with 30 certificate credits.

üCATHCA (Catholic Health Care Association) - is a longstanding partner that provides information about healthy living to the youth.

üImisebe Ye Langa – is a longstanding partner that  assists Bokamoso youth in addressing social issues through counseling and training, which extends to their families 

Conclusion

These critical programs offered by the Bokamoso Life Centre are made possible, in part, through the support of the Bokamoso Youth Foundation, the BLC’s South African Board of Directors, and the South African Department of Health and the Department of Social Development. Additional support is needed from individuals, corporations and other donors in order to make it possible for the BLC to continue its work in support of the under-resourced youth of Winterveldt South Africa and surrounding townships to reach their full potential.