Comments

1. Bruce Sallan (@BruceSallan) says

   April 19, 2012 at 10:28 am

   Thx so much for the kind words and inclusion of my column about “Chimpanzee” Amy…I meant every word!
2. marla jean says

   May 9, 2012 at 1:44 pm

   As a huge animal lover and supporter im anxious to see Disneys movie Chimpanzee…the analogies to parenting for men and women sound very interesting….moms and dads definitely have different perspectives and skills…loved the story and blog..
3. cedrick Buys says

   June 3, 2012 at 5:20 pm

   The Seven Passes Initiative: Crime Prevention through youth development

   Seven Passes Initiative
   Cedrick Buys
   Tel: 044 8501267/ 0727278346
   PO Box 155
   Hoekwil
   6538
   NPO Registration Number: 065-133-NPO

   The Seven Passes Initiative

   Mission

   The Seven Passes Initiative is a youth development and educational organisation that seeks to prevent youth involvement in crime through providing quality after school care. We do this through homework clubs and other educational activities, including sport, music and drama. The Initiative works towards long-term poverty alleviation through raising the educational level of the community.

   Introduction
   The Seven Passes Initiative is a community-based organisation located in Touwsranten in the Southern Cape. The organisation serves disadvantaged youth in the area, and has been doing so since 2008.

   We provide daily homework classes during the week (Monday-Thursday) which are open to all children within Touwsranten and the wider community.
   Background to the Seven Passes Initiative

   The Seven Passes Initiative was established in 2008 by commercial farmers and members of the community of Touwrsranten/Hoekwil who were concerned by the increase in anti-social behaviour by youth in the area, in particular an increase in gang activity on the farms. A number of factors contributed to the increase in gang involvement by the youth, including:

   •Boredom caused by an absence of interesting or stimulating activities
   •Absence of adult or parental supervision during daytimes and weekends
   •Absence of positive role models
   •Children were struggling at school and were not able to get adequate supervision of their homework, this led to low self-esteem and a loss of hope for the future or lack of positive ambition

   The Initiative focuses on supporting, facilitating and developing the education of children in the area. We provide after-school activities that foster a sense of belonging, fun and that build life skills. It was shown by a recent survey undertaken by the Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention that completing Grade 12, placing priority on excelling at school and wanting to study further beyond school; and working hard to obtain good marks were extremely influential factors in creating resilience amongst youth to involvement in crime.

   The purpose of the project is therefore to:

   Create the conditions where children can achieve better at school
   Assist young people to develop long-term goals and provide opportunities for them to realise these goals
   Provide positive role models for young people
   Reduce youth involvement in crime
   Provide regular and reliable opportunities for young people to get help with their school work so that they can achieve their long-term goals.
   Create opportunities for young people and to encourage and assist them to recognise and take advantage of those opportunities.
   The Initiative is actively involved in the community through our daily activities such as homework and computer classes. Our office is centrally located in the community and our staff work closely with the learners and their parents.

   We offer learners a safe space for educational and learning activities thereby preventing boredom and increasing opportunity. It has been shown that the learners who do well at school are those that feel supported and have strong family bonds. This is what we seek to foster.

   The after school activities of the Seven Passes Initiative extend beyond homework classes, to extra classes for high school students, study support groups, as well as sport and other activities.

   We keep attendance registers of all our activties and are thus able to monitor participation.

   Over the past three years we have seen an increase in the numbers of children to participate in our voluntary homework classes, extra classes and other activties. In 2008 we had between 20 and 30 children attending classes regularly. By 2011 that had increased to over 300 attendees over the year.

   In addtion, we have seen increased parental involvement in their children’s activities: When we held our first annual prize-giving function at the end of 2009 there were very few parents present – (five at most). When we held our annual prize-giving in 2010 over 100 parents participated and had the opportunity to watch and appreciate the performance of their children. Our 2011 year-end function was attended by over 300 children and 100 parents. Increased parental involvement and support in their children’s activities are directly related to the children’s achievement of their academic and personal goals.

   The children in the community we serve live far from town, don’t have access to recreational facilities and don’t have the opportunity to go out to have new experiences. Exposure to new experiences (even if they are local) and people is vital to increasing children’s self-esteem and confidence, as well as their perceptions of possibilities. Through the holiday programmes we have enabled the children to participate in activities that increase their world view, and expanded their horizons.

   Measuring the impact of this is difficult, as we are likely only to be able to see the results in some years to come. However, the fact that we have consistenly had young people leaving our homework classes after matric to go on to further study – something which did not take place so commonly before we started working in this area – is evidence of the effect of the combination of our activties.

   Need for a meal
   Our homework classes are regularly attended by an average of 150 primary school children per session. These classes are overseen twice weekly by 29 volunteers from the Tsiba Eden Campus and twice weekly by 6 volunteers from within the Touwsranten community.
   In addition, we provide 10 children with sailing lessons every Saturday.
   The Seven passes initiative also offers holiday programmes every school holiday which are open to all youth in the greater community. Activities include canoeing and hiking adventures, outings to sporting and other events hosted for the youth and educational excursions.

   The majority of children attending our classes are from families where atleast one parent is not working. According to a 2010 study analysed by UNICEF 21% of children living in households such as those found in Touwsranten experience hunger due to shortage of food.

   Our volunteers from Touwsranten are all bursary students at the South Cape College in George, the meal we provide at the end of each class is often the only meal that they have that day.

   Project Implementation Plan
   The following plan provides an overview of our activities during 2012 and demonstrates the need for relaiable and safe transport.

   Activities
   Number of Beneficiaries
   Time Frame
   Results (What we
   want to achieve)
   Resources Needed

   Homework classes
   At least 150 children attend homework classes regularly
   6 Volunteers from Touwsranten
   Homework classes are offered every afternoon between 4 and 6pm

   Improved attitudies towards education and school.
   Improved academics results.
   Meals for Volunteers and learners

   Holiday programme
   At least 150 children and parents engaged in activities during each of the four school holidays
   Activities offered and co-ordinated during each of the four school holidays during the year
   Improved self esteem
   Improved exposure to experiences and opportunities outside of the rural community in which we live
   Access to learning opportunities such as team work, improved parent/child relationships
   Preventing boredom
   Strengthen families, involve parents in activities
   Meals for Volunteers and learners/participants
4. amy says

   June 5, 2012 at 9:35 pm

   Dear Cedrick, in social media, we try to leave comments pertaining to our orgs and causes that fit into the subject matter by opening up conversations rather than just ‘data dumping’ whatever mission or cause or purpose your org may serve…so even though this was flagged as ‘spam’ I’m going to leave this up assuming you’re “learning the ropes” and just trying to link your info to eyeballs of people that might discover like-minded worthy, well-intentioned orgs, as it appears you’re doing some interesting work!

   That said, I’d urge you to read through posts and pick and choose platforms that serve your interests even more and get to know the audience and the people involved through chatting in Web2.0 dialog; it will be much more fun and fruitful for all! Thanks. –Amy