In July Simunye Youth Development Project (SYDP) in Weenen celebrated the graduation of 16 learners from their Life Skills Course. Six of these learners are from Thembalihle and 10 from Ezitendeni.

The learners participated in a three-week courses that addressed topics such as Curriculum Vitae writing, job preparation, goal setting, conflict resolution, personal development, budgeting and saving, entrepreneurship, healthy relationships, HIV transmission and prevention, teenage pregnancy, gender roles and peer education.

The next component of the learners’ participation in SYDP is working to improve the community as leaders of multiple awareness campaigns. They will be visiting schools in the area and performing dramas about teen pregnancy and HIV/Aids for the students. Learners will also be completing a photo voice project, which entails them documenting their daily experiences with the help of a digital camera.

These photos will then be presented at a public event. The learners will wrap up their participation with the completion of a computer training course. Simunye Youth Development Project is a non-profit organisation based in Ezitendeni, Weenen and collaborates with out-of-work and out-of-school youth to address issues such as unemployment, HIV/Aids, teen pregnancy and substance abuse.