Panelists discuss challenges facing youth at NGO Week. Photo: Development Works
Young people are facing many challenges in today’s society. In some cases, especially where unemployment is concerned, these challenges are so great that they cannot take active part in and contribute to their families and the community at large.
More than 30 people, from various organisations, gathered at Salt River Community Hall on 22 September, during the South African National NGO Coalition‘s NGO Week, to find innovative solutions to issues concerning youth. (more…)
A Gugulethu youth discusses some key issues. Photo: Gugulective via Flickr
The youth of Gugulethu are very involved in political and civil society organisations. In fact, the majority of youth participate in development issues in this township situated 15km from Cape Town. This is exceptional in an era where youth are often thought to be apathetic.
The involvement of youth in the community of Gugulethu is largely due to the work of the Gugulethu Youth Development Council (GYDC) which has been operating in the area since 2008.
The Municipal Wards of Gugulethu came together to form a relevant vehicle that will help youth to take active part in development. They looked at the challenges that are faced by today’s youth and established the Council.
The Council members want to see young people of Gugulethu working and going to tertiary institutions. Their goal is to inspire youth to be energetic, passionate, focused and hungry for success.
GYDC is an umbrella organisation that represents youth from different sectors for example Sports, Politics, Arts and Culture, Safety and Security, Social Services, Health, Education and Agriculture, to name a few.
The goal of this organisation is to promote and protect different cultures in Gugulethu. The Council is very committed to this goal; in 2008 they mobilised young people from high schools and primary schools to march against xenophobia.
Nelson Mandela's prison cell on Robben Island. Photo: Samantha Marx
On International Nelson Mandela Day, people all over the world are meant to spend 67 minutes doing something to benefit their community. Creative Consulting & Development Works has some ideas of how you can get involved in your community as well.
The man behind this day
Anti-apartheid activist and first democratic president of South Africa, Nelson Rholihlala Mandela, is the inspiration behind this day, because even though he was jailed by the apartheid government for 27 years, he never saw his release from prison as time for revenge. After his release on 11 February 1990 he advocated peace, reconciliation and the rebuilding of the South African nation.
According to www.mandeladay.comNelson Mandela gave 67 years of his life fighting for the rights of humanity. “All we are asking is that everyone gives 67 minutes of their time, whether it’s supporting your chosen charity or serving your local community.”
What can you do?
Creative Consulting & Development Works, as a research, evaluation and communications consultancy working in a development context, often deals with non-profit organisations and we would like to suggest that you volunteer to help some of them on Mandela Day or any other day of the year!
One of the Community Based Organisations in the NACOSA network.
NACOSA is a national civil society network of HIV and AIDS and TB role players, which includes NGOs, CBOs, FBOs and other developmental organisations, who seek to contribute to reducing the impact of HIV and AIDS.
You can contact NACOSA at info@nacosa.org.za or on 021 461 7348 and perhaps get involved in a Community Based Organisation close to you.
Adonis Musati Project
Recently, Development Works presented a Preferred Futuring workshop to the NGO for refugees, Adonis Musati Project. AMP provides clothing, blankets, food packs, medicine and toiletries to refugees and help them to compile and send out their CVs. They help refugees to access transport, accommodation and training. The Adonis Musati Project also has a halfway house for refugee children and single mothers.
You can help Adonis Musati by providing food or toiletries, volenteering to transport goods, assisting on week mornings in the refugee office, or making a cash donation. Contact AMP on 021 448 3348 or email Gayle at gayle@adonismusatiproject.org.
View the video below on the Preferred Futuring workshop that we conducted for the Adonis Musati Project as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility.
Bret Jackelow (right) spoke at the breakfast and was thanked by Dani Janks (left)
“The question is how you can make a positive difference in the situation that you are in and not why you are in it.” Inspiring words by speaker Bret Jackelow, who recently completed the New York City Marathon and won a gold medal, despite being disabled after a severe car crash.
Jackelow spoke at the Mamelani Projects Women’s Fundraising Breakfast in honor of World Aids Day. He hoped to inspire those attending to make a difference in the lives of others, as he would not be where he is today, if it had not been for the support of ordinary people, helping where they can.
Mamelani Projects is a non-profit organisation that facilitates community development projects with the aim to improve the lives of people living in marginalised communities. They manage to reach 1000 women in a year, informing them about HIV/AIDS and access to services.
In a video shown at the breakfast, community members expressed their belief that Mamelani is a starting step to reducing the spread of the disease.
Valuing World Aids Day, the organisation saw it as an opportunity to promote universal access and human rights.
The Mamelani Projects Fundraising Breakfast was held at Coffee Time in Cape Town
They believe that every human being has the right and responsibility to have a basic understanding of how their own body works and what steps can be taken to stay healthy.
Through their programmes they aim to empower women, so that they can better their lives. You need to take care of yourself before you can take care of others.
Developments Works attended the fundraising breakfast and recognises the need to support those who have taken initiative in helping build healthier communities.
Creative Consulting & Development Works is a research, evaluation and communications consultancy, servicing nonprofits, government and funders with innovative solutions in a development context.
On our blog, Development Talks, we discuss politics and social development. We are interested in the impact of politics on the ordinary citizen and the political activities of those on the ground.
