Toastmasters empowers troubled youth

The West Rand Toastmasters based in Roodepoort held a Youth Leadership Programme at Girls and Boys Town in Randfontein from 7 to 8 June.

The main objective was to introduce public speaking to a group of 33 learners aged 13 to 18. The programme focused on aspects such as how to overcome nervousness when speaking in front of an audience, how to plan and organise a speech and how to present the speech.

Esther Dreyer, president of the West Rand Toastmasters and Alwyn van Wyngaarden, a member of the club, facilitated the programme.

“These are problem children who are in this school by court order and are required to do an eight-week programme to learn new skills. Instead, we are giving them a two-day programme on public speaking to empower them. Speaking in front of people is a very important skill that can open a lot of doors for you career-wise,” Esther said.

Every learner received a certificate for completing the programme. They were encouraged to participate in discussions, brainstorm new ideas and share ideas with each other.

“Toastmasters is about public speaking. We also talked about impromptu speaking as well as planning an event. Different members of our club contributed to the programme over the two-day period.”

Alwyn said that public speaking skills are very important for children with problems because they don’t think before they react.

“Public speaking teaches people to think before they speak. If you react before listening and thinking, you step on other people’s toes.”

Esther said a few learners really stood out during the programme, and that they are dreaming big.

“I hope that our programme will bring them one step closer to making their life’s dreams come true,” she concluded.