With a distinct need to fill the gap between academia and advocacy, Qrate, steps out to be the answer of filling the void.
This non-profit company, which has about 20 facilitators, was formed in 2019 by its founder, Candice Chirwa. Involved in academic spaces herself, Chirwa found it frustrating how exclusive key information was and not reaching the masses that it was intended for most.
They host workshops all across the city going to various schools and communities. In our community, visiting schools such as, Northcliff Primary School, De La Salle Holy Cross College and King David Victory Park.
Menstruation has been one of their core topics, and through the years Chirwa has enjoyed being not only its founder but director too. “Qrate is the ability to take any content, which would be seen as either complicated, or taboo and breaking it down to anyone who wants to understand how the issue impacts them directly.”
Linden-based, Chirwa went onto explain they focus purely on young people as there is a high percentage of the young in this country. The aim is to curate content for the young people to understand and navigate that space.
The organisations tag line is ‘edu-liftment for kids’ which Chirwa said is a social cohesion of education and upliftment. Through this they want to drive social change through content with the young.
“By enhancing critical thinking, and understanding the world they live in, all while allowing them to be greater individuals for themselves and in turn, the community,” said Chirwa.