For those leaving school it is sometimes difficult to decide what the next step should be.

Many factors come into play, and social and financial difficulties could prevent youngsters from furthering their studies.

At the Abel Hospitality Ministries of South Africa (HOMSA) they are trying to give young people an opportunity to better themselves.

We provide skills development to Grade 12 and some Grade 10 learners, and we aim to bridge the gap between them and society,” explained Reverend Abel Werreh, the principal of the school.

Abel said HOMSA was registered in 2008 but over the years they realised they needed to do more.

“We had to think of how we could benefit the community,” he said.

That is why they started their skills development programme this year. The first programme to be offered this year was the Fashion and Design, and Badge and Shoe Making courses.

Through the support of the Department of Social Development, they have received funding for the seven students they have currently enrolled in these programmes. For 2021 they are planning to offer Occupational Health and Safety, and Environmental Health and Safety courses.

They have already received funding from the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) for these courses. In 2022 they plan on doing Comprehensive Nursing and Community Health courses.

Anyone can come and apply. We are planning on taking in 25 students per class for each course each year.”

He explained that the aim of this new skills development programme is to empower learners who come from poor homes and cannot continue with their studies.

If you are interested in enrolling for 2021, please contact Abel on 076 383 0829 or email him at ahomiorganisation@gmail.com. Applications for these courses need to be submitted before November 2020.