Youngsters educate the youth
The Wattville Youth Mentoring Programme, held its first workshop at Etwatwa Secondary School in Wattville, on Saturday, August 24.
The group of educated youngsters have taken it upon themselves to mentor school children in preparation for a career of tertiary education.
The career guidance day was attended by about 200 matric learners, who received tips about different study fields, application processes, loans, health issues and more.
The programme was started by Katlego Mankanku and Mpumelelo Sangweni who identified the need for the services they offer.
‘‘The programme was started in May after a small-scale research at enrollment centres of institutions of higher learning,’’ said Mankanku.
‘‘The findings showed that not even a quarter of learners in both high schools in Wattville have applied for tertiary education.
‘‘We want to make getting tertiary education fashionable, so as to have educated citizens.
‘‘This will inevitably break the cycle of poverty and reduce crime.’’
The project currently has five facilitators, most of them completing their final year of studying, with the majority residing in Wattville.
From next year, the group plan to mentor learners throughout the year and extend their services from Grade 10 and matric.
