It is an annual initiative for establishing a learning community, driven by Bloemshelter in partnership with the University of the Free State (Office of Community Engagement and Department of Occupational therapy and related networks e.g. Department of Education, Department of Health, also volunteers with skills to share) - to provide access to skills development for the non-traditional students in community and society at large, to build sustainable livelihoods.
What skills and resources were you able to draw from the community for this project?
The community becomes the source for knowledge-sharing, for providing access to skills development and building of a learning portfolio, while supported by university stakeholders, government stakeholders, community volunteers, business owners, and university social responsibility.
The challenges
The greater majority of people lack jobs and battle with the challenges of poverty and living below the one-dollar limit a day. They become hopeless because they do not have access to expertise, resources for the establishment of learning, to be able to create own livelihood.
Addressing the challenges
To create sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable people. The festival inspires non-traditional students to create feasible futures through attending workshops, networking with service providers, and engaging in longitudinal mentorship programs.
The achievements
Since the onset of the Engaged Learning Festival, more than 6 000 people, had access to an average of 60 - 70 action learning workshop stalls/ “Engaged Scholarship Skills Transfer Colleges” were available for training, attended the festival. These people develop self-worth, self-employment, establish networks, and learn a variety of skills to apply in daily life, towards generating income for livelihood.
Johannesburg, South Africa