NGO signs agreement for local schools betterment
HOUGHTON – ORT SA an associate of World ORT which is an NGO with an extended network in over 37 countries worldwide, has partnered with NGO Scholas to promote participation by youth.
A non-governmental organisation which focuses on education and training held its biennial general meeting which saw the signing of an agreement.
ORT South Africa which is affiliated to the international body, World ORT, is known for its focus on ‘making people employable’ through pioneering a more code-literate community.
The agreement signed at the meeting was one of affiliation between World ORT and the South African Board of Jewish Education. According to the World ORT CEO, who was present at the event, Avi Ganon, the agreement would allow South Africans to take part in World ORT activities such as the Vatican’s Scholas Occurrentes educational programmes.
“Ten high school pupils from SA will be participating in the third such conference [Scholas Occurentes] in Argentina, at the end of October,” said Ganon.
“The four-day programme aims at bringing 400 youth from ages 15 to 17 together through expressive art, presentations and discussions.”
SA ORT CEO, Ariellah Rosenberg said three learners and an accompanying teacher had so far been identified from high schools in Alexandra and Ivory Park. “Due to poor socio-economic backgrounds, they cannot afford the travel and other accompanying costs,” said Rosenberg.
“All land costs are covered by the organisers and only air tickets and yellow fever injections need to be covered, as well as the application for unabridged birth certificates. We are therefore seeking sponsorship for these four people of R20 000 per person so that ORT can grant these young pupils an exceptional experience.”
Rosenberg added these learners would be required to ‘pay it forward’ or teach others what they learned and become ambassadors for the programme upon returning to SA.
Ganon said the organisation was a leader in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) which spoke to its ability to meet the most pressing needs of the time.
For more information on how to donate visit ORT South Africa at www.ortsa.org.za
Are you doing any activities to combat unemployment in the community? Then send an email with details of your project to naidines@caxton.co.za
Related Articles: