You are needed to shape a child’s life

The Rotary Club of Benoni Aurora is looking for mentors to join them, by October, in mentoring the future generation through the Strive Programme.

These learners are on the Strive Programme at St Francis College. They are seen with life orientation teacher Justine Harvey, who assists with the selection process for the programme.

“It aims to give Grade 11 learners who are in the lower third of their class academically certain life skills to assist them to improve their academic performance,” said the club’s president, Lindy van Moerkerken.

“It also helps them to cope with social issues and pressures which may be distracting them from learning to their full potential.”

The 11-week programme, which will benefit learners from St Francis College and the John Wesley Centre, will teach learners the following:

• Rethink their ways of studying by giving different study options

• Assist with time management

• Set short and long-term goals

• Give learners an opportunity to job shadow ahead of choosing a career

• Build self-esteem and confidence

Van Moerkerken is looking for mentors, who will work voluntarily, who are able to interact with learners on a one-on-one basis for an hour a week, for 11 weeks during the first and second terms of the school year.

“The students also have contact with the mentors via email, SMS, telephone calls and WhatsApp,” van Moerkerken explained.

“We are looking for about 30 members.”

These mentors will undergo training and the Strive manual will be supplied to both the mentors and the students; any concerns the students may have should be discussed confidentially.

“They also liaise with the school principal and the life orientation teacher, Justine Harvey,” van Moerkerken said.

Peter Harris, principal of St Francis College, said learners are grateful for their mentors’ intervention through this programme.

“The Strive Programme offers learners at St Francis College the opportunity to learn from mentors’ life experiences,” Harris said.

“These learners acknowledge that they need support from a total stranger that will become a ‘parent-at-school’.”

“Learners all volunteer for the programme and some do drop out because the demands of the programme are too onerous – there is homework.

“Ideally we would like Grade 10 learners to be on the programme too, but the limited number of mentors makes this unrealistic.”

Cheryl Kindon can be contacted by email on cdkin@vodamail.co.za should community members want to play a part in shaping a child’s future.