On a mission to defeat the enemy – poverty

The Black 888 foundation aims to assist many youngster on the West Rand to acquire basic skills to secure employment.

Thabo Jama, founder of the foundation, said youth from Tarlton, Brandvlei, Randfontein and Magaliesburg have been selected for either a course to improve their computer, painting and plastering, or nails and beauty skills.

Jama said so far they have allocated R50 000 for food security and the certificates for the project.

The reason we have started this initiative was because we didn’t like the fact that many of the young people were idling. They lacked basic tools to secure decent employment,” Jama said.

He added they have partnered with other organisations to make sure that poverty is alleviated where possible.

He said in the previous year, the foundation had helped young people to get jobs in security after completing training.

“We are just affording them basic tools to help them survive in these difficult times, and we are making efforts to make a difference among many of those who have no means to be empowered. This is so that in the end they can defeat the enemy, which is poverty.

We as the foundation are hoping that all the money we are investing will benefit the young immensely, and will go a long way to change their lives in a positive way,” Jama said.

One of the beneficiaries, Violet Mamele of Tarlton, who will be starting a computer training course, said the certificate will help her get employment; and be the beacon of hope for many young people in her community.

The 27-year-old said there is only one way to break the chains of poverty, and that is through education.

It’s hard sometimes when you know that there’s a lot you can do, but poverty is standing in the way. Thankfully, foundations like Black 888 are here to give us a helping hand. I’m glad to get another shot at life,” Mamele said.