Positive outcome from empowerment workshop

Last week, the Phuthanang Youth Trust (PYT) conducted an empowerment workshop for residents of ward 35.

Through this initiative they were able to revive this organisation, present their background, current position, future programmes and create a platform for discussions regarding projects and issues in this area.

Some of the problems discussed at this workshop included youth development, skills, entrepreneurship, unemployment, drugs, crime, cleanliness and mentorships.

Residents also shared information about programmes they have already started and addressed how they think PYT can assist them.

The outcome from this gathering was that five teams were formed to be responsible for the following key issues in the area and to report back to PYT.

· Team one will deal with skills development, jobs and career guidance.

· Team two is focusing on small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurship.

· Team three is dealing with communications matters.

· Team four will tackle issues of HIV/Aids, drugs and rehabilitation.

· Team five will look at matters of community policing forum and environmental awareness.

In addition to these groups, another team was established to drive the five mentioned groups and to execute the action plans concluded during this workshop.

PYT plans on continuing seeing what they can do to support the community and want to go beyond just catering for the youth but to help everyone in the community.

Trustees Modise Motloba and Ruth Manala said: “We intend on having more engagements with the community so we can address all the challenges we have identified.

“If there are existing programmes, we will support them and help with resources instead of trying to start all programmes from scratch.”