The Seven Passes Initiative is a registered Non-Profit Organisation that has been working to prevent violence and support youth education and opportunities in Touwsranten and the rural area surrounding Hoekwil (approximately 30 km from George) since 2008. We are building on our experience and good practice, and growing our work into new communities in the Garden Route of South Africa. Our work is making a measurable difference in the lives of people who engage with our organisation. More than 80% of the children in Touwsranten attend our after-school care daily. Numerous children with learning difficulties have learned to read and write.
What skills and resources were you able to draw from the community for this project?
The Seven Passes Initiative is supported by and integrated into the community of Touwsranten. We are currently situated at the Rectory of the United Reformed Church in Touwsranten. At these premises we have offices as well as facilities for our educational and youth development programmes. By way of example, the Social Activation for Positive Change (Samewerking) Group is a community-based structure set up in the last year (2016) as a direct result of our partnership that UCT and ISS have with Seven Passes. They have developed a Manifesto entitled “Samewerking vir ‘n beter gemeenskap”. This structure has started taking responsibility for change in Touwsranten, including positive parenting, increasing respect between and among community members, and keeping streets, children’s parks and other public spaces clean and safe.
The challenges
The Seven Passes Initiative was established in 2008 as a youth development and education organisation seeking to prevent youth involvement in crime through providing quality after-school care.
Addressing the challenges
We focus on inter-generational and multi-faceted violence prevention interventions. We challenge the normalisation of aggression and violence; develop the ability of children, youth and adults to resolve conflict peacefully; support the building of positive relationships and improved communication; develop life skills, including building confidence and self-esteem; and enable the identification of and access to opportunities. We run three programmes, namely: After-School Life Skills and Educational Programme; Early Child Development and Positive Parenting Programme and; Youth Development Programme. We also have crosscutting work that supports all three of these programmes, namely: Referrals; Environmental sustainability; Training and capacity building and; Knowledge sharing.
The achievements
Our work is making a measurable difference in the lives of people who engage with our organisation. Twenty young people who progressed through our programmes have attended tertiary education. Two of these young people have returned to Touwsranten from university with degrees: one is a teacher in the local school and chair of the Board of Seven Passes, and the other works for the organisation as a human resource officer and parenting facilitator. Parent Rotricia Phiri says: “Applying the principles I have been taught is really working! It has not only alleviated the anxiety I felt in the past about parenting, but it has also improved my relationship with my daughter. I feel like a good and positive parent.” Community leader Patricia Solomon says: “Now I have people knocking on my door all the time seeking support, guidance and care. They are curious about the positive parenting sticker I have on my door, and the shirt I wear with pride. I know people look up to me in the community and that is encouraging. I am truly grateful to Seven Passes for believing in me and supporting me.” Gang violence has ended altogether in the district of Hoekwil.
Johannesburg, South Africa