With the vision to create sustainable change, Thrive Foundation SA recently kick-started a two-year learning program for 22 special, underprivileged pupils.
Thrive Power of Youth Leadership Development Programme’s first module was taught during the Easter holidays at Glimpse of Hope, Shakaskraal.
The lucky grade 11 pupils – ten from Baleni High School, Mbizana and one from Boys and Girls Town Tongaat – were chosen for the program based on merit, school attendance, motivation to make a difference and references, according to Thrive Foundation’s Bronwyn Williams.
“We have identified exceptional natural hidden talent with young candidates from rural areas. One candidate is a born opera singer while others are amazing poets. With our guidance as mentors we will encourage our talented youth to rise above their circumstances and chase their dreams. Nothing is impossible,” said Williams, a Ballito resident.
Together with her husband Dane as well as Curt and Erika Barnes, Tiffany and Nadeem Adams and the youth volunteers Brooklyn Goosen, Britney Gilbert and Taryn van Wyk make up Thrive Foundation SA – an NPO formed in Ballito in 2014.
She said their mission was to nurture growth in vulnerable communities through health and sports development, education and spirituality.
“The pupils can only accomplish their dreams through hard work, which can open doors for opportunities of bursaries, scholarships or apprenticeships in order to enter tertiary education and obtain degrees.”
The first module covered topics such as personal development plans, peer pressure, gender based violence, employable skills, time management and identifying challenges in your community.
The next four-day module will be held in June and will focus on career paths and computer literacy, maths and science extra tutoring and the importance of sports.
“We are appealing for volunteer tutors to assist with grade 11 maths and science; aptitude tests for career paths and a sponsor for 12 computers to encourage digital literacy where students will be developing their own CV’s and portfolios as many grade 11’s have only began computer literacy at rural schools this month.”
To get involved as a sponsor or volunteer, look at www.thrivefoundationsa.co.za or check out their Facebook page – thrivefoundationsa.
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