Duduza – Ten-year-old Sinethemba Mqwathi runs an organisation that improves the lives of girls.
In a statement, Mqwathi says: “I want every young lady to live a happy life and reach their full potential.”
Sinethemba 7000 Girls for Dreams operates countrywide, with Gauteng being the main focus area.
According to a recent evaluation they did with stats provided by the SAPS and South African Men’s Action Group, they found that girls in areas where Sinethemba 7000 Girls for Dreams operated were more than twice as likely to report having social support than girls in a comparison area where Sinethemba 7000 Girls for Dreams was not implemented.
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They were also twice as likely to score well on HIV knowledge questions, which looked at where to obtain voluntary counselling and testing, and to want to be tested.
The programme now plans to reach 10 500 girls in forced domestic work, and those living with disabilities in all regions of South Africa.
They aim to do this through mentors teaching skills that will be tailored to address girls with disabilities.
During their regular meeting with mentors and other girls in safe spaces, the girls will receive training in basic literacy and numeracy, financial literacy, entrepreneurship skills and other life skills.
At the end of the project, the girls will receive support to apply for formal education, jobs and small business mentoring.
Also read:Mentorship for young girls
The programme also has a child abuse prevention programme known as Ekurhuleni Stay Safe Safety Programme, which operates in various areas like Duduza, Tsakane, KwaThema and Daveyton, among others.
The programmes focus on safety on the internet, bullying and child safety.
They also run Umkhumula Jezi Foundation, a care programme to prevent dumping of children and child abduction.
The Zakheni Primary School learner was named as one of the 100 Ekurhuleni Shining Stars for the work of the organisation.
