Investing in young people

THE Rotary Club of Hillcrest has embarked on a journey to invest in young people’s futures with their programme aimed at empowering young people. Launching the programme just last year, the Rotary Club is underway with preparing launching it again this year.

According to Colin Hegter of the club, the programme was initially aimed at women, but upon discovering at the last programme, it was clear to them that the programme also has a need for young men.

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Explaining the programme, Hegter said, “The programme will host forty young people, twenty young women and twenty young men, over a two-month period from February to March, and they are expected to have a final reportback from the attendees in April.

Some of the guiding principles of the programme are as follows:

– The Rotary Club of Hillcrest will facilitate the planning of the project.

– Young professionals in specialist areas will facilitate the various sessions. These facilitators are chosen to be relatable and inspiring to the target age group.

– The target age group is Grade 11 students from a few selected schools. These schools cover a broad spectrum to get a good mix of youngsters from different backgrounds to hopefully help break down some barriers within society.

– The programme is intended to empower those attending around issues and subjects that are not necessarily addressed in the schooling system and possibly not in all home environments.

– It is a goal of the programme to empower the youngsters participating to become advocates within their own peer groups around the subjects covered, helping to guide and direct others in their community where they may need help and support.

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– Exposing the youngsters to good role models is a key element of the programme, and this is where we are hoping to find support from some of our sporting champions to spend a small amount of time with the group to offer some inspiration and leadership by example.

Furthermore, Hegter said the 2023 programme will address four key areas that will be sponsored by supporters of their programme. The key areas, according to the Rotary Club, include: Goal Setting in Life; Women’s and Men’s Health, including Mental Health; Entrepreneurship, and Societal Challenges.

The club has appealed to the community to join them in their investment as the cost per attendee of the programme totals up to R1500.

“Although the Rotary Club of Hillcrest does need to raise funds to cover costs involved for the project, all the professional facilitators involved have kindly offered their support at no cost, as have the various hosting venues. The fundraising would, however, cover other costs such as food, transport and some material items needed by the participants.”

The public is urged to use the following details for the donation:

Rotary Club of Hillcrest Projects
Bank: Standard Bank
Account Number: 52029964
Branch: Hillcrest
Branch Code: 00-05-10-01
Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ

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