The Sustainable Future Project

Simphiwe, 21 years old, Orange Farm Community Center of Excellence

Simphiwe was introduced to Afrika Tikkun through the City of Johannesburg’s Child Headed Households Program. He enrolled in the Job Readiness Program at our community center in Orange Farm, from which he graduated in November 2013. Before joining Afrika Tikkun, Simphiwe was one of the many unemployed young people who had completed his Matric, but had nothing to do except spend time on the streets with peers who threatened to be a bad influence. After completing in our Job Readiness Program and entering our employment opportunities database, Simphiwe was invited to interview with several companies. In February 2014, Simphiwe had an interview with Incredible Connections and was soon offered a job as a sales associate. He is currently excelling in his position and is able to provide for his younger sister, who is enrolled in Afrika Tikkun’s Child and Youth Development Program.

What will your investment provide?

• Quality educational support for grades one through twelve
• A safe and secure community center where quality developmental programs are delivered
• Nutritional support through hot and nutritious meals served daily
• Social services delivered by social workers and family support workers who ensure the psychosocial needs of our families are met
• Health education and monitoring to help keep our young people healthy
• Quality teachers and community workers – our staff are continuously developing to fulfill the needs of our children and youth
• Skills development and job placement that enable our young adults to become productive citizens

Thank you for partnering with us to shape the next generation of productive African citizens!

Dear Afrika Tikkun Friends and Family,

Thank you for continuing to support the youth of South Africa. It is through your generous support that we are able to provide a platform for our youth to develop and grow into productive citizens in society. Many of our youth are in disadvantaged positions due to circumstances outside of their control. Insufficient access to resources presents a major obstacle in the development of youth. Through Afrika Tikkun and your generosity, we are able to provide much needed services for our youth that allow them to realize their full potential and enter the job market as well rounded individuals ready to break the vicious poverty cycle.

Youth Development and Placement  
One of the nine central challenges identified by the National Development Plan is that too few people work, youth unemployment statistics currently sit at 38%. Skills and enterprise development is critical in preparing the youth for career and entrepreneurial opportunities that will help break the cycle of poverty.

Through the development of skills, enterprises and social services, our aim is to:

• Contribute to the decrease in the number of unemployed youth by providing quality, gainful employment opportunities.
• Encourage and create a sense of personal accountability amongst youth.
• Facilitate skills acquisition towards employment and enterprise opportunity.
• Make sustainable impact on communities and the economy.
• Ensure return on Investment for investors under the BBBEE codes.

Success Story of Nonhlanhla H., 21 years old
Nonhlanhla’s parents are both deceased and her mother was the last one to pass in 2009. They are seven in their family and are all living under the care of their older sister who is 26 years old. The family was surviving on a grant that was being given to their younger siblings.

In 2013 the Hlatshwayo siblings were referred to Afrika Tikkun by the City of Johannesburg. This was done as a part of the Child Headed Households Program, which the City partnered with Afrika Tikkun and other organisations in taking care of orphans within the Orange Farm community. The family was enrolled into Afrika Tikkun’s Nutrition Food Security and Family Support Services.

The family was again chosen as a beneficiary for the Nelson Mandela Day Shack Renovation initiative this year. This was after the owner of the shack they were living in wanted to take his shack back and the help came at the right moment, when they were about to be left homeless. Now they have a three roomed spacious home, which they can now call a home.

On the 15th of August KFC Add Hope came to visit Afrika Tikkun clients and the Hlatshwayo family was chosen for the visit. Lindy April, from Add Hope visited the family with a delegate from KFC and they were greatly touched by the story of the family. This was when they offered Nonhlanhla a job at KFC. Nohlanhla was enrolled for training in the same week and has been given a full time employment by KFC.

“I’m so thankful to Afrika Tikkun and the Donors for what they have done for me and my siblings. It’s so nice to have a place of your own without having to worry about giving back the building material. I’m also very happy that we have 2 bedrooms for boys and girls and now I can also look forward to going to work and supporting my siblings.”  - Nonhlanhla

Links:

• Afrika Tikkun Website
• Afrika Tikkun Facebook