Entrepreneurs, do you want to make a difference in the lives of Diepsloot youth?

Although it doesn’t feel like it, the national lockdown will end one of these days. When that happens, are you able to volunteer your time to educate.

The 136 learners who currently receive academic support from the Ikamva Youth Diepsloot branch, along with the rest of schoolchildren across South Africa, have seen their schoolwork interrupted by the Covid-19 lockdown. But as these children come from a disadvantaged community, how will the organisation help them after lockdown ends so that their futures are not affected?

The Fourways Review spoke to Sakhile Dubazana, the branch coordinator, about the future. At the centre, the high school-aged children get assistance from volunteer tutors in their various school subjects, learn computer skills, learn life skills and attend workshops on social issues, receive career guidance and help with their subject choices and are also part of a mentorship programme.

“The plan [once lockdown ends] is to hit the ground running, and offer extra weekday sessions,” he explained. “However, the schools might decide to prolong the school hours, which will result in learners being unable to attend our weekday session.

“If that is the case, we will keep them longer during Saturday sessions, we would like to request anyone who can to donate sandwiches, as we know most learners come from dysfunctional backgrounds, and they might not have enough food at home. A sandwich or two could go a long way.”

More generally though, Dubazana would like to see more public participation with the non-profit organisation once it is safe to do so, especially around the topic of entrepreneurship. He hopes that those in the business community will come forward and spend time with the children for skills development on a regular basis so that one day the youngsters have the tools to start their own businesses.

“We are planning on hosting termly entrepreneurial sessions with the learners. We feel the need to have more honest conversations about what it takes to be an entrepreneur, what the expectation that comes with this vocation is, and what kinds of hurdles an entrepreneur has to overcome.

“We have spotted the importance of having ongoing workshops and conversations regarding entrepreneurship and employability and not a once-off entrepreneurship day annually. These workshops should assist with learner placements each year. It’s important to have guest speakers that come to branches to speak to budding entrepreneurs about what they need to know.”

If you would like to get involved or volunteer your expertise in the future, please reach out to the IkamvaYouth branch for more information.Details: www.ikamvayouth.org; sakhile@ikamvayouth.org

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Ikamva’s Diepsloot branch honours children’s hard work and dedication