Two years ago five friends from Mdantsane got together and decided to change the lives of underprivileged girls from their area.
The women, who all grew up in the area, began with an assessment of what empowerment tools girls needed in order to make a success of their futures.
Education was highlighted as a key area, with the provision of school uniforms seen as one of the cornerstones of ensuring girls from disadvantaged areas stayed in school.
An NGO was formed – Young Unique Minds – and several sponsors brought on board.
Since its formation, pupils from a number of Mdantsane schools have received school uniforms, stationery, educational tours to different industries for career guidance and the opportunity to attend a young women’s motivational seminar held on Women’s Day last year.
Founding member Thukela Bekwa said they focused on girls because of the immense social pressure they faced.
“There are issues of teenage pregnancies and also the school drop out rate tends to be higher among girls.”
Bekwa said motivation to form the NGO came from the fact they were all from underprivileged backgrounds themselves, but went on to university and graduated to find employment.
“We all persevered and with the freedom of education we managed to change our lives.
“We all have good jobs and want to use our stories of success to motivate not just the pupils but women from the area too,” she said.
Member Nobathembu Mpetsheni said schools were chosen based on their location. Principals were then responsible for choosing the deserving pupils.
“The principal will then give us a list of all the pupils they have chosen and then each of us adopts either one pupil or as many pupils as possible.
“It’s then our responsibility to provide a full school uniform to the pupil,” she said, adding while most of the funds came from their own pockets, corporate sponsors had come on board.
The most recent recipients of school uniforms were 11 pupils from Thandulwazi Lower Primary School in Potsdam. Principal Mamela Kose said the uniforms came as a welcome relief as many of the pupils came from impoverished backgrounds where child support grants were the only source of income, while others are orphans.
The 11 – including three boys – received shorts, shoes, socks, underwear and stationery.
“These children are really so fortunate to have received these things because its usually us as the staff complement who go out into the community to try to get donations for them because we know their situations,” Kose said.
Another member of the NGO, Nomaxabiso Joni, said her love of charity work had encouraged her to pursue a degree in youth development.
“It makes me feel good to know we’re making a difference in these children’s lives, especially taking into account where they’re coming from,” Joni said. — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
lDO you know of any local heroes doing good in their communities? Please let us honour these heroes by telling their stories. You can phone on (043) 702-2242 or send an e-mail to news@dispatch.co.za
Unique NGO steps up for youngsters
The women, who all grew up in the area, began with an assessment of what empowerment tools girls needed in order to make a success of their futures.
Education was highlighted as a key area, with the provision of school uniforms seen as one of the cornerstones of ensuring girls from disadvantaged areas stayed in school.
An NGO was formed – Young Unique Minds – and several sponsors brought on board.
Since its formation, pupils from a number of Mdantsane schools have received school uniforms, stationery, educational tours to different industries for career guidance and the opportunity to attend a young women’s motivational seminar held on Women’s Day last year.
Founding member Thukela Bekwa said they focused on girls because of the immense social pressure they faced.
“There are issues of teenage pregnancies and also the school drop out rate tends to be higher among girls.”
Bekwa said motivation to form the NGO came from the fact they were all from underprivileged backgrounds themselves, but went on to university and graduated to find employment.
“We all persevered and with the freedom of education we managed to change our lives.
“We all have good jobs and want to use our stories of success to motivate not just the pupils but women from the area too,” she said.
Member Nobathembu Mpetsheni said schools were chosen based on their location. Principals were then responsible for choosing the deserving pupils.
“The principal will then give us a list of all the pupils they have chosen and then each of us adopts either one pupil or as many pupils as possible.
“It’s then our responsibility to provide a full school uniform to the pupil,” she said, adding while most of the funds came from their own pockets, corporate sponsors had come on board.
The most recent recipients of school uniforms were 11 pupils from Thandulwazi Lower Primary School in Potsdam. Principal Mamela Kose said the uniforms came as a welcome relief as many of the pupils came from impoverished backgrounds where child support grants were the only source of income, while others are orphans.
The 11 – including three boys – received shorts, shoes, socks, underwear and stationery.
“These children are really so fortunate to have received these things because its usually us as the staff complement who go out into the community to try to get donations for them because we know their situations,” Kose said.
Another member of the NGO, Nomaxabiso Joni, said her love of charity work had encouraged her to pursue a degree in youth development.
“It makes me feel good to know we’re making a difference in these children’s lives, especially taking into account where they’re coming from,” Joni said. — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
lDO you know of any local heroes doing good in their communities? Please let us honour these heroes by telling their stories. You can phone on (043) 702-2242 or send an e-mail to news@dispatch.co.za
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