Teens step out in style

The Rays of Hope foundation celebrated the learners of the Ithemba Labantwana project’s Boys and Girls Support Group at its annual gala dinner in Marlboro Gardens on 9 November. The evening’s agenda saw the learners get treated and dressed up in their best attire to celebrate all their hard work and achievements.

The foundation runs a support group to provide emotional support for young people aged 12 to 18 living in Alexandra. The programme assists these learners to navigate and manage any difficult issues they may have at this stage in life. “Over the years we have had many young men and women go through the programme and they have definitely benefited from the support,” said the support group manager Dikeledi Molefi.

Once a year, the foundation celebrates the learners who have been part of the programme, treating them to an evening of good food and entertainment. After a year-long journey, many of these learners have become one big family.

“The girls and boys support group is a really safe space where the girls and boys are unconditionally accepted, not judged, respected, valued, treated with dignity and given the opportunity to just saw and fly high,” Molefi said.

First established in 1991, Rays of Hope has continued its work in the Alexandra community, the youth being at the crux of it. Molefi added that what made the programme such a success was the volunteers that mentor the youngsters through the journey, many of which were part of the support group themselves.

“You see them looking beautiful today and that it because of the wonderful men and women who have walked the journey with them in these support groups.”

Related articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/127148/swinging-for-rays-of-hope/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/215037/rays-of-hope-continues-their-work-to-create-lasting-change/