A HUMBLE effort to aid learners with schoolwork has developed into a success story for the Wentworth community. After a decade as a tenant at the Blue Roof Life Spaces, Youth Educational Support Services (YESS) will assume ownership of the building from Keep a Child Alive (KCA) on February 1. This marks a victory for the Wentworth community, as the space is once again owned by the community it aims to serve.

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Linda James, YESS co-founder and administrator, described the moment as deeply moving.

“Sometimes it feels like I need to pinch myself. Ten years ago, we arrived here with nothing, no container, no offices, no assets, just a space and a vision for our children. Today, we are being entrusted with this entire space. It’s overwhelming, humbling and incredibly emotional,” said James.

The journey

KCA has owned the Blue Roof Life Space since 2006. The building, which began as an HIV and Aids clinic, was reimagined into a centre for youth. James said that Wentworth has a lot of young people but not enough safe and resourced places for them to learn.

YESS began working at the location since 2016, after working out of St Gabriel’s Church for five years. It was born as an after-school programme with a holistic approach to educating, assisting and tutoring youth. The organisation offers a homework club, tutoring for primary and high schools, a reading club, stationery assistance, uniform assistance, after-school feeding scheme for homework club members and limited financial assistance to tertiary students.

James knew right away what the space could mean for children.

“I remember standing here and thinking, if our children could learn in a space like this, a place safe, beautiful and dignified, it would change how they see themselves. Education is not just about books, it is about the environment, encouragement and hope,” she said.

Start of negotiations

Talks around the property’s future began in 2024, but James thought ownership was not possible. That changed when KCA Global Program Director Tom Butterworth said YESS should think about taking over the building, because their values matched KCA’s.

James said that people from the community who were trained and grew up here extended their hand.

“An angel donor, as I like to call him, was sweet enough to loan a large amount of the money interest-free so that we could acquire the building and pay back over time. It really showed how much this organisation meant to so many people in the community,” she said.

James said it is imperative that this building is used for everyone in the community, not for any particular political party nor any particular faith.

“The building belongs to the children of Wentworth and the rest of the Durban South area, whether they were born here or if they are far away but still carry the community in their hearts,” she said.

Plans for the future

The YESS team plans to work with other non-profits. They aim to start more upskilling courses, extra co-curricular activities and help the organisation bring in money while keeping the attention on children and young people.

KCA’s response

Kate Coleman, the public relations and marketing officer at KCA, said selling the building to YESS made sense. She added that Blue Roof Life Space has always stood for creating a safe, nurturing space where young people can heal, grow, build skills and imagine a future beyond their current circumstances.

Butterworth praised Yess for being strong and honest in the work they do.

“It is touching to see the vision continue in the safe hands of a community organisation whose heart is so committed to seeing the good and the transformation of their community,” said Butterworth.

Supporting the organisation

While this marks a big victory for YESS, as a non-profit they still have to face the financial challenges of running costs and day-to-day programmes. If anyone is interested in supporting the organisation, they can donate into the organisations ABSA account with account number: 4100 2930 32. For more information or queries contact YESS at info@yess.org.za. 

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