Rotary promotes self-empowerment

IT is hard to take action towards a goal if deep down you don’t truly believe you can achieve it. That’s something the Rotary Club of Durban North is passionate about. The club recently concluded it’s Life Skills course at the North Crest Primary School Centre of Excellence recently.

The eight-week course was introduced in 2014 on top of the computer and English literacy modules also taught at the school. The three courses are staffed by volunteers from the club who lend their expertise to specialist subjects.

Northglen News recently caught up with some of the students of the programme to find out their thoughts on the course.
Nomkhosi Chonco said the Life Skills course had helped her immensely.

“I heard about it through my church in KwaMashu. I have a fear of standing in front of people and talking. But through these eight weeks, I’ve learnt so much and have learnt even more about myself. In life you have to have a vision or a goal. I’m planning on studying psychology and I now have a clear idea where I want to go in life,” Chonco said. Her thoughts were echoed by fellow classmate, Wandile Sosibo.

“At first I was a bit skeptical that we would be taught for free, but I’m glad I was wrong. For me this was about how to speak to people and present Powerpoint slides to showcase a particular idea. I was hoping for a course that would benefit me, and it has helped me immensely,” Sosibo said.

Rotary Club of Durban North member, Peter Coutts, said the module was only launched last year.

“The idea was developed in conjunction with the leadership of North Crest School and the Rotary Club’s vocational service committee. We were excited about the prospect of exploring such an important aspect of life. In life, you continually aim to better yourself. After all, self-belief is a reflection of how good you are at handling the various aspects of life.

“And the more you grow as a person, the more of a reason you have to believe in yourself, and with this course we hope to explore that idea in depth,” Coutts said.

The programme is staffed by volunteers from the Durban North Rotary Club as well as members of the Durban North community. For more information, contact the school on 031 564 3533 or call Cathy Stevens on 078 338 3131.

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