(Aca stands for Academic Assistance: which is Tuto Aca-Cod-Theraring and Mentoring; Cod stands for Coding/Computer Coding/Programming; Thera is an abbreviation for Therapy/Psycho-social Intervention: Social Work and Life Coaching). The are passionately preparing disadvantaged communities so they can make most of the 4th Industrial Revolution and Digital Economy opportunities. We provide Training Programs in Digital Skills: Digital Identity Management: Cyber Security, OOP Computer Coding (Intro Java Language), Mobile Technology in Support of SME business, Mobile Literacy Introduction to Computer Skills.
What skills and resources were you able to draw from the community for this project?
USiba Loluntu organization has ingeniously created a GAP YEAR PROGRAMME(At home for 1 year, without studying in higher education e.g. Universities, Collages, etc.). The Gap Year Programme is where the matriculated Grade 12 enroll or volunteer within USiba Loluntu by giving their academic knowledge, to the various schools that USiba Loluntu organization partnered with and in return, the organization gives them impactful skills (e.g Computer Coding, Mentoring, etc.). Siba Loluntu works with communities High Schools (Schools Principals in particular) to offer those students who are in a gap year in return plow to the community via the USiba Loluntu organization. We have amazing success stories that have made a difference, we have Mr. Setchaba a youth from Gugulethu who has enrolled in the USiba Loluntu organization from grade 10 until post-matric, now he is undergoing a UWC Diploma in A Multi-platform Software Development until the year 2020. We have Mr.Banele Ngcathse who is working for the City of Cape Town employed based on his Computer Programming Skills he received under USiba Loluntu. Mr. Alakhe who has been volunteering in USiba Loluntu through our Gap Year Program, now he is doing his 2nd-year Degree in Political Sciences through the University of the Western Cape (UWC). Mr. Sive is currently studying his Collage Diploma and his one of our Gap year volunteers. Through the USiba Loluntu organization, we have digitally impacted communities, high schools and primary schools, NGOs through our different e-Learning Skills programs.
The challenges
OOP Computer Coding (Intro Java Language): is the most profound project that has and is still continues to positively impact the youth. Our achievement is the immense confidence, skill transference, and ability to see (from trainees/youth perspective) how they (youth/leaners) have coded from scratch, and appreciating the final product. USiba Loluntu organization has taught/trained coding in the year 2019 to a number of 60 trainees/youth from the township community thus far.
Addressing the challenges
Our strengthened collaborative work with the UWC Western Cape CoLab for Digital Inclusion & Social Innovation has enabled us to stretch out and reach out through diverse digital networks. We have made a digital footprint in George and Ooustorn Youth Cafe in training the youth in the outskirts/remote regions of the Western Cape. The NGO community from different areas and working with High schools from different townships have made us make a digital footprint and positive response throughout the training based on the Data Collection through "Evaluation Feedback Forms and Recorded Participants Feedback".
The achievements
In the year 2018 USiba Loluntu was invited by the National Parliament Assembly by the Minister of Technology & Postal Services Mrs. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. The honorable minister acknowledged the collaborative work between USiba Loluntu and the Western Cape CoLab for Digital Inclusion & Social Innovation in teaching and implementing digital skills in the youth of South Africa, as part of her national parliament speech. USiba Loluntu organization has ingeniously created a GAP YEAR PROGRAMME(At home for 1 year, without studying in higher education e.g. Universities, Collages, etc.). The Gap Year Programme is where the matriculated Grade 12 enroll or volunteer within USiba Loluntu by giving their academic knowledge, to the various schools that USiba Loluntu organization partnered with and in return, the organization gives them impactful skills (e.g Computer Coding, Mentoring, etc.). USiba Loluntu works with communities High Schools (Schools Principals in particular) to offer those students who are in a gap year in return plow to the community via the USiba Loluntu organization. We have amazing success stories that have made a difference, we have Mr. Setchaba a youth from Gugulethu who has enrolled in the USiba Loluntu organization from grade 10 until post-matric, now he is undergoing a UWC Diploma in A Multi-platform Software Development until the year 2020. We have Mr.Banele Ngcathse who is working for the City of Cape Town employed based on his Computer Programming Skills he received under USiba Loluntu. Mr. Alakhe who has been volunteering in USiba Loluntu through our Gap Year Program, now he is doing his 2nd-year Degree in Political Sciences through the University of the Western Cape (UWC). Mr. Sive is currently studying his Collage Diploma and his one of our Gap year volunteers. Through the USiba Loluntu organization we have digitally impacted communities, high schools and primary schools, NGOs through our different e-Learning Skills programs.
Johannesburg, South Africa