Bokamoso, a youth development organisation is making strides in empowering youths despite limited resources.
The organisation started operations in 2010 with limited funding from the Department of Social Development. More than 1 000 thousand youths have benefited from its programmes in computer skills, life skills and technical skills training in areas of cosmetology, fork lift operation and plumbing. Other skills training prepare them for jobs in the retail sector and call centres.
The programme co-ordinator Palesa Mpiti said their programmes were for youths in the 18-35 age group with or without matric qualification. The life skills programme developed youths’ self awareness, helped them set their personal goals, realise their potential and motivated them to volunteer their help for those in need.
“This has made our intakes volunteer at old age homes, orphanages and to contribute time and resources to disaster relief especially after shack fires through donation of food parcels, building material and school uniforms,” said Mpiti.
She said most of their intakes were from poor backgrounds and accessed the programmes free of charge except for computer training where they paid a nominal fee.
Mpiti said they were also introducing a programme for cultural activities.”We want to unearth and showcase their [the youth] talents on higher platforms so that they can be ambassadors of Alexandra and showcase our diverse national cultures at local, national and international events,” she said.
