We identify the needs of the relevant community and development programs and projects that are geared at fulfilling those needs. Provide opportunities for extra-curricular activities and excursions over weekends and holidays for children the communities. Build literacy skills among childrenbyc implementing program to obtain and manage supply of books and learning aid. We currently work with 46 children and 8 volunteers.
What skills and resources were you able to draw from the community for this project?
We work with 46 children from 18 different primary schools around our community and have 8 volunteers that assist on the after school program for reading, doing home work, helping with mathematics and extra curricular activities. We also work together with the Zwide library to borrow reading books and to host reading competitions.
The challenges
The project is for children from disadvantaged communities. We are particularly concerned about the effects of poverty on the development and well-being of the children. It is not a secret that the physical well-being of children is not as good as it was 20 years ago. This brings in a lot of problems such a health problems, emotional difficulties and self-esteem challenges.
Addressing the challenges
Children are exposed to better role models and are kept busy which serves an important role in lowering socio-economic problems such as teenage pregnancy, crime and lowers their chances of getting involved in destructive behaviours. The project has fostered commitment to the children to promote pro-social friendships, strong interpersonal skills and reassert a sense of hope for the future. It is only through personal relationships can a sense of individual responsibilities be re-established that will give the children commitment to follow through on a path to adulthood with a sense of pride and accomplishment. To accomplish these goals children must be in a caring inclusive learning environment that promotes their best effort and reinforce personal respect. We interested to introduce learning through the use of technology to these children but we don't have the resources for that and we currently do all the work in my mother's lounge. We still in need of space, reading books, mathematics books and extra-curricular activities equipment.
The achievements
The children attend reading competitions, they are more disciplined and their literacy have also improved at school.
Johannesburg, South Africa