This Youth Day, we look at how young South Africans are being empowered; The Amy Foundation and Relate Bracelets are making an impact!
South Africa (16 June 2023) – Youth Month is often regarded as an opportune time to pause, and celebrate the youth in South Africa, while reflecting on the big wins and struggles they are going through.
At face value, the youth ideally want to be heard and supported but the question is then, how can they be supported impactfully?
Various organisations try to answer this question, while taking into consideration that, for young people, an umbrella approach may not be the best way to help. Individuals’ needs should be addressed individually.
Based on the work done by NPOs Relate Bracelets and Amy Foundation, who support young people throughout the year, these are some of the ways to help:
Upskilling and reskilling
A staggering 46,5 percent of South African youth were unemployed in Q1 of 2023, according to Statistics SA. This number spotlight the need for creative and innovative ways to make a living legally in this country.
The Amy Foundation is a non-profit organisation that offers programmes to develop and empower youth, ages 5-35, living in challenged and vulnerable communities within the Western Cape. With the support of Relate Bracelets, Amy Foundation has been upskilling and reskilling youth people and leading them to opportunities, and alternative ways of making a living legally. Relate Bracelets has to date raised over R1.99 million to support the foundation in this quest.
Youth Skills Development Hospitality Alumni, Sivuyile Peters testifies, “At the age of 19, I joined the culinary group in the hospitality programme at the Amy Foundation. Everything was so new, but the workshops and lessons were very enjoyable. This sparked an interest in cooking for me, and I realised making good food was becoming my passion. With everything you do, challenges always present themselves. For me, it was speaking English. Luckily the course forced me to communicate in English even when it was easier to speak in my native language. The Amy Foundation taught me you can only achieve your goals through hard work and determination. At the end of the course, I was much better at English and cooking. The course was invaluable because it also taught me kitchen etiquette, and how to act professionally and present myself.”
Thanks to the course, Peters was given the chance to do an internship at the 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa and Cafe Frank, and later won an internship in France for three months.
The power of mentorship
Lending a helping hand isn’t always about giving goods, items, and money! Knowledge and skills transfer are precious resources that sometimes get overlooked in terms of importance.
Many young people have been deterred from their dreams by what they regard as brick walls. However, in many incidents, the supposed brick walls are stumbling blocks that can be overcome with improved knowledge, awareness and skill impartation.
Brand Consultant for Relate Bracelets, Dalit Shekel says, “Funds are immensely important in supporting the youth, but there are other ways of reaching out to support young people. Mentorship is an immeasurable resource. There is a lot of value in your talents and knowledge, and they can improve someone else’s life and better worldview. Skills transfer includes professional and personal skills.”
The social impact NPO also upskills young people directly through beaded bracelets, which help charities raise money, by creating jobs for people in underprivileged communities, who make the jewellery.
Creative stimulation and character development
While a lot of the focus is usually on economic, professional, and academic empowerment of youngsters, character development and creative stimulation also rank highly according to experts.
Amy Foundation adopts a comprehensive approach that focuses on education, skills development, and artistic expression to empower and uplift the youth. By addressing both academic and non-academic aspects of development, it provides a holistic support system that aims to enable youth to overcome barriers and achieve their goals.
The foundation’s Communications and Fundraising Manager, Michelle Bagley says, “Recognising that academic success alone is not sufficient, the Amy Foundation emphasises the development of essential life skills. Through various workshops and programmes, we equip young individuals with critical skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership. These skills not only enhance their employability but also foster personal growth and confidence.”
“The Foundation believes in the transformative power of art and creative expression. We provide platforms for young people to explore and showcase their talents in various art forms, including music, dance, and visual arts. Artistic programmes not only allow the youth to unleash their creativity but also serve as a means of self-expression, empowerment, and personal development,” she adds.
South African youth is renowned for it’s ability to overcome challenges. When empowered, not much can beat them!
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