Know Your Local Organisation: Oyisa

Puleng Sekabate
Know Your Local NGOs is an initiative of Express that attempts to bridge the gap that might exist between the community, corporates and organisations.
The aim is to make organisations that continuously make a difference in the community known to the public.
These organisations include NPOs, NGOs and NPCs.
This week, we feature Oyisa organisation, which was established in 2020.
What does the organisation do?
“We provide low-to-no-cost programmes for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds so that their social, emotional, physical and recreational functioning may be enhanced. We are also a support tool and aid for the places of safety we work with,” said Amanda Sokanyile, founder of Oyisa.
Where is it based?
“Kempton Park and across Ekurhuleni.”
Who is the organisation targeted to and who does it aim to help?
“We are not limited to but we often target youth between the ages 13 to 21 within the community, either living in place of safety, children’s homes, shelters and those from low-income households.
“Oyisa serves as a tool that will assist the beneficiaries in expanding their recreational experiences. We also help promote healthy lifestyles, assist them to transition through daily life challenges and problems and navigate them to sustainable careers.”
What are some of your ongoing operations/campaigns/outreach programmes?
“We have four ongoing programmes:
• A Thoughtful Meal: These meals are a great opportunity to engage the youngsters on social values, promote healthy lifestyles and equips them with tools to lead a healthier life further down the line.
• Play For Change: Age appropriate strategic engagements that have been designed to spark curiosity, discovery and imagination.
• Workshop–0: Exposing them to useful information and teaching skills one needs to make the most out of life, such as tying your shoelaces, swimming, driving a car and using a computer. These, for most people, are useful life skills
• Donation Drives: We are constantly accepting books, clothes toiletries and food parcels.”
What are some of the prominent challenges faced by the organisation?
“Because we are a fairly new and small organisation, it has been really difficult ensuring that we are being heard and seen as an organisation. A shortage of resources also strains the productivity and negatively impacts what the organisation aims to achieve.”
What are the organisations needs?
“We need assistance with getting food parcels for our Thoughtful Meal programme and stationery for our Workshop-0 programme.”
How has Covid-19, regulations and restrictions and lockdown impacted the organisation?
“Due to the pandemic, we were unable to engage with the homes and we were set back a few months with developing consistent relationships with the youngsters and increasing their sense of belonging and accountability.”
Contact details
Send an email at Amandasokanyile3849@gmail.com, alternatively send a WhatsApp or call 061464909/0848742830.