DYO honours its first group with certificates

Dunamis Youth Organisation (DYO) recently held an event to celebrate its first youth group that formed part of the foundation of the organisation in 2008.

The event was held at the Basothong Old Age Home in Vosloorus on March 26.

It aimed to celebrate the success of the first DYO students, as some of them have moved out of the community to further their education and seek job opportunities.

It was also meant to inspire and encourage the current group of young stars, as well as those who still encounter challenges to progress with their life goals.

DYO invited them back home for lunch to commemorate their dedication, hard work and commitment to attending youth organisation sessions. Twenty-two students received certificates of appreciation.

Founder of DYO Notombifuthi Joyce Nkabinde said she saw the need to start a youth organisation in 2008 after identifying two vulnerable young ladies who were entering their puberty stage.

“I thought these young girls needed to be groomed by someone they would be comfortable asking and talking to about anything.

“I felt I could be an addition to parents because I am an outsider in their families, so maybe they will relate and share their challenges with me,” she said.

Nkabinde said when she was young, their parents were never open to talking or teaching them about life.

She said parents’ way of communication would often be in a form of reprimanding them than advice.

“I wanted these girls to be free and responsible for their actions; mature and confident to peruse their goals,” said Nkabinde.

One of the first members of the group, Zama Buthelezi (27) from Vosloorus, expressed her gratitude to Nkabinde.

“Dunamis became my second home. It gave me guidelines on how to cope with life’s challenges through teaching me how to have a relationship with God and express myself,” she said.

She said their programmes focus on issues that affect the youth, like teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and mental health issues.

It gives solutions to the youth on how to deal with these issues they wished to solve, she added.

“You loved, heard and listened to us. You made us feel important. Your efforts are visible in our lives. It is because of you we are where we are. Thank you, mama,” said Buthelezi.

DYO’s challenges

According to Nkabinde, their journey was not smooth sailing, as they encountered many obstacles.

She said in the beginning, most of the children did not understand the purpose of the group. Most of them thought it was here to stand up for them concerning challenges they encounter at home, she explained.

Another thing is that children would often lie, claiming they are going to study while they are out on dates, then when their parent questions their whereabouts, they say they were attending DYO. These are some challenges, added Nkabinde.

She said this has caused complications and opened room for misinterpretation by parents. She added her goal is to work with parents to support children. She, however, criticised parents for lack of support.

“We also face financial challenges as an organisation. We want to take educational trips, but we cannot afford them,” said Nkabinde.