November 2018 – FLP Director Update
Much has been happening at FLP in the past 3 months. We have seen how the inspired Team has continued to reach out to their communities, supporting families by recognising and celebrating the vital role that parents, grandparents, and other caregivers play in their children’s education. We have seen how this desire to become engaged in their children’s schoolwork, motivates these parents and caregivers to reengage in learning themselves and improve their own literacy, numeracy, language and other basic skills. We continuously look at strategies to bring “learning and living” closer together by bridging the gaps between formal schooling, non-formal education programmes and informal learning opportunities in homes and community environments. Below is a list of some of the highlights: Lego Duplo Level 2 – Zimbili and Phumy attended this training in Johannesburg. For Level 1, they had an interesting time with FLP facilitators where they trained them to use DUPLO`s in their reading clubs. They trained 16 staff members that are working with foundation phase in different schools. After the training, they had follow up sessions to see how they are doing in their groups. Children enjoy the DUPLO`s so much and we noticed that it also calms them if they have bad day.Teachers from the schools we support also asked if they can get training as they saw the benefits. We trained local pre -school teachers, two teachers from foundation phase and two mothers that home school their children. The training emphasised the impact of LEGO in Early Childhood Development and the importance of early education in shaping the child, particularly how children learn through play.We also share how they can incorporate DUPLO in their daily activities within the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and on Curriculum and Assessment Policy (CAPS). For further training, we are planning to train more teachers from primary schools and FLP learners who do home visiting, to promote learning readiness using the DUPLO elements in the classroom. We use our Legos in libraries, FLP groups, play therapy and in the Khulisa Home Visiting Programme. Young Parent Persona Dolls – Snoxolo and Xolani attended this training at the Midlands Community College. They were trained how to use the Persona dolls to communicate the fears, dreams, interests and hope of young parents. The emphasis was that Young Parent Persona Dolls are used as a tool to introduce topics which are relevant to young parents, for example “the challenges faced by a teen mother”. The dolls are used to encourage communication among the group, focusing on their realities of transitioning from being a child to becoming a young parent.There was much discussion where they had to give feedback on various topics such as how they feel about giving young girls contraceptives at the age 12, such topics brought about different opinions and differences as they realised that there are different values and perceptions. They were encouraged not to judge, but rather to support other people’s decisions and respect their uniqueness.One activity really made an impact on the group. For this activity, each participant received a sheet of paper to be divided into 4 parts – 1. Childhood life, 2. Teenage years, 3. Young adulthood, and 4. The future. In each section one had to write or draw a picture of something that was significant in that life phase. This activity aroused deep emotions, but the environment was warm and supportive for everyone to deal with those emotions. The entire FLP Team will be trained at the next Team Week. Digital Media and Child Protection – We live in a world where even our isolated rural communities are battling to define safe use of digital media. We have begun an active programme where we educate and train our Facilitators, Group Members and Youth about the safe use of this digital technology. (Research...
Read MoreJanuary 2018 – FLP Director Update
The FLP Team begun 2018 determined to build literacy levels and instill a love of reading, as a shared and valuable pleasure, within their communities. The final Team Week of 2017, saw the Team conducting evaluation activities of the programmes that we offer. What we have developed, are a set of guidelines that will inform our approach in 2018. Reflection activities continue to inform the FLP approach towards achieving the Project’s broad goals. It has been an inspiration to receive feedback from the FLP sites, Householders and community members as to the progress made toward realising these goals. Below is a list of some of the highlights: Foot in the Door Career Programme – A perennial issue facing SA youth, is what career to pursue, with many learners being misguided by their parents and teachers. To assist FLP Groups and members of the broader community, FLP’s Career Model supports the child’s holistic development and education from early infancy through our Early Childhood Development Programme, throughout their school career, and up until the time they can be placed in work. As a project that works in the deep rural areas of KZN, we are faced with a unique set of challenges and constraints, this commitment to the full lifespan of the youth is, in our opinion, the best and most reasonable solution. In South Africa, 3.4 million young people don’t have jobs, aren’t in school and aren’t getting a proper education – the Department of Basic Education (DBE) stats show that only 10% of children who start school end up matriculating, with the Grade 10 dropout rate currently sitting at 44.6%. With no income or education, they are likely to be poor and unemployed for the rest of their lives. Career guidance remains a poorly developed competence amongst the SA youth. As a result, most young people want to rush head-long to enrol at university, unaware of other possible career choices or vocational training opportunities. The FLP Career Counselling Team consisting of Xolani, Snoxolo and Jacqueline offer a Career Guidance Service to the youth in areas where FLP operates. We educate the Grade 9’s about careers on offer at the various institutions in SA. We guide them in their Learning Area choices for Grade 10 and then, in Grade 11 and 12, conduct Aptitude/Career Assessments with them. We assist the Learners to apply for entrance to Tertiary Institutions, apply for bursaries and access financial aid. Many graduates struggle to find employment post degree completion, whereas, learners who followed a specific vocation, do much better at securing gainful employment coupled with valuable work experience. Critically, young people need to enter careers they are passionate about. Studies have shown that being in a career you are well suited to, promotes individual happiness, while ensuring longevity in that role. In 2017, the FLP Programme assisted Students to register for suitable careers, according to their aptitude assessments, at Cedara Agricultural College, UNISA, Asifunde Sonke Teacher’s Training Centre, University of Pretoria, UKZN, Msunduzi, Plessislaer and Mzimkulu FET Colleges. This is addition to the Education and Tourism/Hospitality Interns being Trained by approved Partner Organisations – Noah’s Ark, Underberg Mastery Unit and Sani Lodge. Philangethemba Molweni Community – FLP trains and supports 12 ladies from Molweni Community for the Khulisa Abantwana Home Visiting Programme. This initiative is a partnership between FLP and St Agnes Church, which has developed a Community Centre in Molweni. Workshops are very well supported, with prospective Home Visitors excitedly receiving their bags, containing their Educational toys and Books, and venturing off into their community to commence their ECD Home Visits. It was encouraging...
Read MoreNovember 2013 – FLP Director Update
This is my first report as director of the “new look” Family Literacy Project. It has been a very busy time of year for FLP as well as Vukuzakhe. That being said, I relish the challenge and do believe that with the Board’s guidance and support, I will be adequately equipped to take FLP ahead with vigour. Lynn, in her capacity on the Advisory Committee of the Family Literacy Project Board, has been an invaluable source of support and inspiration since I joined FLP and I look forward to working with her from her new home in Cape Town. The staff complement at FLP has grown somewhat since my arrival. The Vukuzakhe Project Staff members, Xolani Mofokeng and Nompumelelo Mbokazi joint the team in their capacity as Vukuzakhe coordinators. Nompumelelo, our part time coordinator, has worked with FLP in the past as a partner Family Literacy Facilitator and has since progressed into working as an Educator in Grade 1 at Goxhill Farm School in Himeville. She is employed by Vukuzakhe as the coordinator of our Foundation Phase Youth Programme and currently runs reading and psychosocial support groups at Goxhill School and in the Himeville Low Income Housing development. Xolani is our youth coordinator and works with youth from grade 4 to 12 in the areas of sport, drama, reading clubs and psychosocial support. We currently have 4 boys and girls soccer teams, 2 drama, reading and psychosocial support groups in 4 areas in Kwasani. Our Family Literacy Group, in Underberg, is run 2 evenings a week by the facilitators’ Nonceto Sondezi and Sizeni Duma. Magaya Khumalo conducts computer training for this group once a week, as well as the Clouds of Hope Orphanage for the caregivers there. Zinhle Mbanjwa provides support for our bursary students at Underberg School and works in the mastery unit with additional language learners and kids with cognitive challenges in order to improve their reading skills. In addition to the Vukuzakhe staff, Megan Moll, the intern language specialist and Robin Marshall, our financial administrator, have also joined our team. Promoting reading, writing and more With the inclusion of Vukuzakhe Projects, we currently facilitate 49 adult, teen, young girls and children’s literacy and psycho social support groups in Impendle, KwaSani, Ingwe and Umzimkulu municipalities. In addition we have 3 youth, soccer groups, one of which is a teen girls’ team. In 2013, the Nal’ibali groups expanded to include all of the child to child groups in the programme. There are currently 21 Nal’ibali reading groups that meet 2x per week and work on units written by Phumy Zikode, that are based upon the Nal’ibali supplements. In order to encourage reading throughout the year, we run the road to reading map campaign for foundation phase children. Every year we notice that the number of books read is increasing, and the most number of books read also increases. Thus far, in 2013, 3738 books have been read by 402 readers. A grade 3 learner, read 54 books this year, which is 4 more books than last year’s best! We gave her a special prize to recognize her effort. A total of 11785 books were borrowed during this period from the libraries and box libraries. Our literacy month celebrations are now a regular feature on our calendar. During September 2013, we celebrated literacy month by encouraging adults and young girls to read books to their kids and siblings. 105 adults each read 10 books to their children at homes. In 2012 we saw that children love being read to by their older siblings thus we encouraged 43 young girls...
Read MoreFebruary 2013 – Vukuzakhe Update
Vukuzakhe sponsors promising young people to complete a tertiary education. Past recipients of this assistance are: Thokozani (Christina) Mhlongo is currently teaching Mathematics at a township school (she started her teaching career at one of Durban’s well-known Girl’s Colleges but wanted to serve people less fortunate) while studying for her Masters degree in Education. In 2013 Thokozani will be tying the knot in marriage but intends to carry on teaching. Motlatsi Molefe is one of our great success stories. Firstly, he obtained an Electrical Engineering degree in Cape Town, worked for a while to make enough to enrol for a B.Com degree at Rhodes University where he graduated at end 2012. He is currently running a successful business in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape. Others in the process of studying for University Degrees are: S’bongile Ngubo has completed fifteen of forty modules of a B.Ed degree from Unisa. She has a full-time teaching job in addition to which she has a job two afternoons a week at Vukuzakhe’s Dancing Pencils programme which covers her University fees. Nompumelelo Mbokazi has completed twenty modules of her B.Ed degree and is a full-time teacher at Goxhill Primary School. She has evening jobs in Vukuzakhe’s Adult Literacy Programme . She will complete 6 modules of her degree in 2013. Thabisile Ngcobo will do another 5 modules in her B.Sociology degree course in 2013. She currently teaches a Bridging Grade R class at Noah’s Ark. Phumla Ngcobo (pictured left) passed her second year in Journalism at Rhodes University in 2012 and her pass was good enough to get her into Third Year for 2013 the Rhodes Journalism faculty is very picky!. She is pictured here on a visit to Underberg recently when she and two friends enjoyed an “unforgettable” camping trip on which the other two “city-bred” girls were frightened out of their wits by strange noises in the night! Zinhle Mbanjwa is serving an internship at Underberg Primary School where she assists hostel children with homework. She is enrolled for 2013 at UNISA University. Not all Vukuzakhe’s bursary students are following University courses. Dumisani Kheswa supported by Vukuzakhe,matriculated at Kwamvimbela High in 2012 – despite having to live on his own for the 2011 and 2012 years. We found him a job with a Tractor and Farm Equipment maintenance operation “to see if he had aptitude.” The owner of the business phoned Pierre after two weeks – “I want this guy, he’s good!” So for 2013 he has been enrolled at a Further Education & Training College in Pietermaritzburg to pursue a Motor Mechanics course. Daniel Mbanjwa, who completed an FET Plumber’s Course, is employed on a housing project in our District, responsible for roofing of 500 sub-economic housing units. Not all our sponsored students are in tertiary institutions yet. This is Musa Thubakgale (right), a Grade 12 student at Faithway College who was made a Prefect this year. And in Junior School (Underberg Primary) we have: Malibongwe Majosi who comes from UMqatsheni , boards in thehostel and is six years old, in Grade 1 this year. His ambition is to be a policeman. In Grade 2 is Bongeka Mbanjwa from Kilmun, living in the hostel during the week. She loves Maths and Reading, went on a group hike up Hlogoma Mountain last year and hopes one day to be a teacher. 11 year-old Thor Mkhize is also in hostel, and is in Grade 4. Asked about sport, she says “I have won in tennis, I was the first Junior Girl and I would like to play for South Africa one day. I also swim...
Read MoreDecember 2012 – Vukuzakhe Update
To our funders, well-wishers and friends, This will be our last Newsletter for 2012. We at Vukuzakhe Projects wish you all a blessed and joyful Christmas and a New Year in which a measure of prosperity will return. The tiny girl sitting in the bright red igloo is Xolisiwe Mbedlana and she is seven years old. She was born very prematurely and her mother, a teenager, abandoned her. Sister Abigail Nhleko took her under her wing. At the time, doctors said that Xolisiwe would never talk and would be little more than a burden all her life. Next year Xolisiwe will be in Grade ‘R’ at Noah’s Ark and learning to write. She can count. She talks. She sings like a nightingale. And she laughs! Xoli (as she is known) has many friends at Noah’s Ark and is much loved. Here in South Africa our economy has followed those of most other countries – in the wake of a weakening currency and rising oil prices, we have seen our fuel prices more than double this year. Our economy is further assailed by labour unrest (and events unfolding around Marikana), which spread from mines to transport and then to the Western Cape’s wines and fresh produce. The queue of people at our food distribution points run by the local churches get longer and we see new faces every week – but praise the Lord that we still have food to distribute! This year Pierre went to the Central Drakensberg by invitation to a conference where he received the Premier’s Award at the Board of Health Funders Conference. Several organisations were short-listed but Vukuzakhe won because of the scope of its involvement – for which various Funders awarded the Project R45000. More importantly, we have a commitment from a major supplier to conduct Optometric Evaluation at schools we nominate. VUKUZAKHE’S focus is on EDUCATION, believing as we do that it is the key element in the upliftment of formerly disadvantaged people. These Programmes are: FARM FAMILY LITERACY which includes the Township groups meeting in the Congregational Church Hall and Jabulani Community Hall twice weekly and regularly reaches 62 adults. Let the facilitators tell their story: Sbongile Ngcobo writes: “We teach them to write their names, complete bank forms to deposit and withdraw money, complete registration forms for their children. And lately they have been learning to read their children’s school books and can read stories to them. We teach them a lot about the importance of clean water and the various diseases that affect us in our country – how to protect themselves against such diseases. There is a crisis in our country of child abuse and we teach them how to protect their children, what signs of abuse to look for and what to do if they think their child may be abused. Our Department of Social Development runs a project called sukuma sakhe and the departments of Education, Home Affairs and Health are a part of it. We encourage our adults to register, obtain their Identity Documents and register for their pensions and social grants. We encourage them to go to the Clinic to check their status so that they can get help before they get sick.” Nompumulelo Nyati also runs an Adult Literacy Group. She tells us about her group: “Some of our Group complained that they cannot see well, so Pierre organised tests and spectacles for them. We are using a book called Advanced English – it teaches them things they need to know in their daily lives with topics like Town, The House, The Kitchen. They...
Read More