Masakhane 2009

By Sonja van der Vyver - Development Practitioner

At Masakhane Activities for the year are already in full swing. There is great exitement over the SAB Life Skills Modules which will be presented there in February. In order for screening and placement of participants in this life skills course prospective participants have been asked to either submit a written CV or to do an oral presentation. Interviews have been conducted on Friday the 16th of January and Saturday the 17th of January. CV's are still streaming in and more interviews will be conducted on Saturday the 24th of January.

Word about the life skills modules have got around and CV's from all over the Magaliesburg district have been received. Unfortunately it has been neccesary to explain to these applicants that this course will be for the residents of Masakhane only.

The SAB Life Skills modules which will be presented at Masakhane include the following:

Motivation
Goal Setting
Basic Numeracy
Managing Your Money
Managing Change and dealing with Stress
Self Discovery
Starting your own Bussiness
HIV/AIDS - Wellness Education
Finding that Income
Getting a Job
Decision and Skills Planning

After Participants have attented the Life Skills programme, they will receive individual career counceling to be able to integrate what they have learned into their future plans. Skills training for each participant and possible job placement will be part of the programme.

The response to this incentive has been very positive. Some of the reasons and motivations as to why prospective participants believe they ought to be included in the programme have been transcribed below:

'I am applying to be an emergency officer because in my place, when it rains the Ambulance can't come through' - 'Chicks' Simane (23)

'I want to work to take crime away' - Mofokeng Kgangetsile (23)

'I want to be a police woman because crime is too high and also the abuse of young girls. I want to be here so those girls will come to me and not be afraid'. -Beauty Kubu (18)

'I want to get teaching skills to develop the community and also myself' - Rebecca Sethimo (21)

'I would like to work as a game ranger - Elias Phiri

' I like to teach so that at the end of the day they (the people of Masakhane) must know something better in their life' - Emmie Kgope (25)

'I intend studying towards a career in Music which will utilise my interest in people and in the music industry. I would like to become a sound engineer' - Joseph Phiri (24)

It is clear from the above that the youth of Masakhane are looking for ways in which to realise their potential and from their enthusiasm for this opportunity it is clear that the SAB Life Skills Modules might very well be the first step towards a brighter future for the people of Masakhane.

Progress re. this programme will be reported continously on this blog. Individual profiles will also be published here in order to communicate the specific needs of the Masakhane people. Support in this and other aspects of the Masakhane Porject will be greatly appreciated. Please contact Sonja van der Vyver - Village Power Community development Projects by leaving a comment with your contact details (e-mail address) by clicking the comments link below.