The educational programme resumed last Tuesday at the Skumbuzo Mtsweni Family Centre and aims to keep youngsters entertained during the school holidays.
Youngsters are also taught important life skills to prevent them from falling victim to the many problems in their community.
Workshops and activities take place to develop and educate them about issues like teenage pregnancy, HIV and Aids, and drugs.
Thabang Xaba (30), from the foundation, explained the importance of keeping young people busy during school holidays so they don’t get involved in negative behaviour.
“We are teaching young people to be responsible members of the community and to stop the rise of substance abuse and crime,” says Xaba.
He adds the programme gives teenagers the opportunity to share their challenges and come up with solutions.
The South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) is also involved in the programme, in order to educate teenagers about the risks of abusing alcohol and drugs.
SANCA volunteer Tebogo Mojalodi (29) says educating youngsters about alcohol and drug abuse is an ongoing activity.
“We are trying to kill the rise of substances abuse in the community and the only way to do this is to build up young people’s self esteem and teach them about the disadvantages of using drugs, so they don’t find themselves being victims,” says Mojalodi.
The Skumbuzo Mtsweni Family Centre is situated at the corner of Thema Road and Job Maseko Street.
