The 'bosberaad' on 5 December signified the final 121@VMA event for 2006. Board members met together to evaluate the past year and discuss the way forward for 2007.
We thank God for the opportunity to continue working with Pretoria North High school and their detention program in the new year. We are still waiting to hear from several other schools whether we can start the program there or not. Please pray with us around the development of new material and recruiting volunteers to help run the program.
For the moment, we are putting the breaks on the Soshanguve Project as we reaccess the viability of the project and how exactly to apporach the unique challenges there. Please pray with us that we will have wisdom with regards to this.
As the 121@VMA takes a much needed break, please pray that we will be rejuvinated and have new strength, energy and a clear vision for the year ahead.
God bless you all over Christmas and New Year. Thank you again for your ongoing support!
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
The 121@VMA Team
Lizette Venter directs 121@ VMA. Having worked in the corporate world for many years (IT and Project Management) she felt the strong call to get more involved in community work. This led to her starting up 121@ VMA where she does her utmost to keep the rest of us (young ones!) in line!
Ian Stuart is pastor of the Pretoria North Baptist church. He is actively involved in every part of 121@ VMA from guiding us with his wise council, to daily decision making, to sorting out technical hitches, to facilitating with the detention program. 
Cori Wielenga is involved with all the day-to-day runnings of 121. She initiated the project in Soshanguve and is developing material for the detention program. She is currently working on her doctorate in Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies, in which she is focussing on reconciliation processes in Rwanda.
Ian Dewbury and Rene Jobse are both on our board and involved with the long term planning and visioning for 121. Ian brings with him enormous amounts of experience in working with children in ministry. Rene's interest is around connecting business and ministry, and was part of a team that developed the fantastic MoneySkills boardgame.
Salome van Niekerk joined our team only a few months ago and is helping out in a hundred-and-one ways, from administrative tasks, to facilitating detention sessions, to training our volunteers in Soshanguve. She is preparing for a six-month missions outreach to Mozambique and is further exploring the possibilities of full-time missions.
Hope Nkadimeng has joined us specifically to coordinate the project in Soshanguve. He has worked for several years in the NGO world in Soshanguve, building relationships with schools and volunteers. He has also assisted with the detention program in Pretoria.121@VMA Update, November, 2006
PEOPLE
With the last update, we made mention of new people who had joined our team, including William. Unfortunately, William has left us again, having landed a good job with the CSIR in Pretoria. We wish him all the best and thank him for his contribution to 121!
Pray: Continue to pray for the rest of the team as we prepare and plan for 2007.
Financial: At this point, we need R2000 monthly to cover team expenses. If you are interested in contributing to this, please use ‘121 team’ as your reference.
CONSTRUCTIVE DETENTION PROGRAM (CDP)
Last week Monday was our last detention session at Pretoria North High. On Friday we treated the staff to a finger lunch and filled them in on what we’d been doing the past term. The feedback from staff and school management was extremely positive. We’ve been invited to carry on our program there in 2007. We’re also waiting to hear from a couple of schools in terms of getting involved with them next year. During this break, we’re hard at work developing more material to present during detention.
Pray: Please pray that we develop relevant, life-changing material that will impact lives in the new year.
Financial: Developing material for detention programs costs in the area of R500 a session. If you are interested in contributing to this, please use ‘CDP material’ as your reference.
PROJECT SOSHANGUVE
We’re still training our volunteers in Soshanguve on a weekly basis. There are about twelve regulars who we are both discipling and equipping in terms of being effective facilitators. There are numerous challenges related to working in Soshanguve, from communication, to a secure venue for training. Although schools we’ve approached are excited about our program, again, communication is a challenge and we still need to finalise what schools we will be working in, and the logistics around that.
Pray: Pray for the volunteers, that they will fully understand 121’s vision and mission and become deeply committed to following Jesus. Pray for ease of communication, both with the volunteers as well as the schools. Pray for Hope, who continues to coordinate the project in Soshanguve for 121.
Financial: Training the volunteers in Soshanguve has a weekly cost of around R200. If you are interested in contributing to this, please use ‘Project Sosh’ as your reference.
TRAINING
On Saturday, Edgar Ramsami from Sonlife in Johannesburg, took us through a fantastic training program that looked at the character of a youth worker, understanding the world of a young person and exploring the difference between punishment and discipline. It was great to have both our team in Pretoria North and our volunteers-in-training from Soshanguve together for this event. At the end of November, we’re planning a training with Scripture Union.
Pray: Pray for the training at the end of the month, that it will be meaningful, equipping our volunteers for the task ahead.
Financial: The training with Scripture Union will cost R1000. If you are interested in contributing to this, please use ‘training’ as your reference.
‘BOSBERAAD’
On the 5th of December, the 121 board and team will have a getaway day to strategise and plan for the year ahead.
Pray: Please pray that we will have a productive time together, that we will be able to communicate effectively and be continuously aligned with what God would have us be busy with.
THANK YOU again to all our supporters, all those who pray and care and support us financially or through an encouraging word or email. This past month we have been truly blessed by so many people who have assured us again that they are praying for us. We often feel so overwhelmed and small in the light of such enormous challenges and need; so ill-equipped and weakly-financed for such a great task. Yet with a team of supporters like yourselves that extends across the globe, and with our eyes on Jesus, we know we can continue to walk on water, as the impossible becomes possible through Him.
Yours,
Cori, for the 121 team.
Our Bank Details
Name: 121 At VMA Catalysts
Bank: Standard Bank
Account No: 011351470
Branch Code: 010445
With the last update, we made mention of new people who had joined our team, including William. Unfortunately, William has left us again, having landed a good job with the CSIR in Pretoria. We wish him all the best and thank him for his contribution to 121!
Pray: Continue to pray for the rest of the team as we prepare and plan for 2007.
Financial: At this point, we need R2000 monthly to cover team expenses. If you are interested in contributing to this, please use ‘121 team’ as your reference.
CONSTRUCTIVE DETENTION PROGRAM (CDP)
Last week Monday was our last detention session at Pretoria North High. On Friday we treated the staff to a finger lunch and filled them in on what we’d been doing the past term. The feedback from staff and school management was extremely positive. We’ve been invited to carry on our program there in 2007. We’re also waiting to hear from a couple of schools in terms of getting involved with them next year. During this break, we’re hard at work developing more material to present during detention.
Pray: Please pray that we develop relevant, life-changing material that will impact lives in the new year.
Financial: Developing material for detention programs costs in the area of R500 a session. If you are interested in contributing to this, please use ‘CDP material’ as your reference.
PROJECT SOSHANGUVE
We’re still training our volunteers in Soshanguve on a weekly basis. There are about twelve regulars who we are both discipling and equipping in terms of being effective facilitators. There are numerous challenges related to working in Soshanguve, from communication, to a secure venue for training. Although schools we’ve approached are excited about our program, again, communication is a challenge and we still need to finalise what schools we will be working in, and the logistics around that.
Pray: Pray for the volunteers, that they will fully understand 121’s vision and mission and become deeply committed to following Jesus. Pray for ease of communication, both with the volunteers as well as the schools. Pray for Hope, who continues to coordinate the project in Soshanguve for 121.
Financial: Training the volunteers in Soshanguve has a weekly cost of around R200. If you are interested in contributing to this, please use ‘Project Sosh’ as your reference.
TRAINING
On Saturday, Edgar Ramsami from Sonlife in Johannesburg, took us through a fantastic training program that looked at the character of a youth worker, understanding the world of a young person and exploring the difference between punishment and discipline. It was great to have both our team in Pretoria North and our volunteers-in-training from Soshanguve together for this event. At the end of November, we’re planning a training with Scripture Union.
Pray: Pray for the training at the end of the month, that it will be meaningful, equipping our volunteers for the task ahead.
Financial: The training with Scripture Union will cost R1000. If you are interested in contributing to this, please use ‘training’ as your reference.
‘BOSBERAAD’
On the 5th of December, the 121 board and team will have a getaway day to strategise and plan for the year ahead.
Pray: Please pray that we will have a productive time together, that we will be able to communicate effectively and be continuously aligned with what God would have us be busy with.
THANK YOU again to all our supporters, all those who pray and care and support us financially or through an encouraging word or email. This past month we have been truly blessed by so many people who have assured us again that they are praying for us. We often feel so overwhelmed and small in the light of such enormous challenges and need; so ill-equipped and weakly-financed for such a great task. Yet with a team of supporters like yourselves that extends across the globe, and with our eyes on Jesus, we know we can continue to walk on water, as the impossible becomes possible through Him.
Yours,
Cori, for the 121 team.
Our Bank Details
Name: 121 At VMA Catalysts
Bank: Standard Bank
Account No: 011351470
Branch Code: 010445
Friday, October 27, 2006
121@VMA Update, October, 2006
New Team Members
This last month has seen a lot of changes and challenges. For one, our team has expanded, and with that the organization is becoming progressively more structured. Whereas before we have been working on quite an informal, from home, over-the-phone-and-email basis, we now have a team meeting three times weekly to run the administrative and training side of 121. This has meant that we have been able to up the level of a lot of ‘organizational’ type things (fundraising, marketing, etc).
Pray that we will work well together in a team, and become more and more the kinds of people that God can use to impact the lives of young people.
Training in Soshanguve
In terms of training, we have been going through to Soshanguve every Wednesday to train local volunteers to run our life skills programs in the schools there next year. It has been great interacting with these twelve-odd young adults, discussing some challenging issues as we explore what Jesus is asking from us in the context of impacting the lives of young people.
Pray for these volunteers, that they will grow in understanding of what is expected of them in terms of working with 121, and especially that they will become a strong team, committed to changing lives for Jesus.
Constructive Detention
We’ve still been running our detention program at Pretoria North High and are still very excited about the impact it’s having on learners. Facilitators, working in small groups, have had the opportunity to really speak into lives, as learners have opened up and shared their struggles. We have been surprised at how much learners have enjoyed these two-hour sessions, and the very positive feedback we have received from the responsible member of staff from the school side as well.
Pray for the facilitators, that they will have wisdom and compassion when responding to their small group. Pray also for the learners, that the seeds that have been planted will take fruit.
Breakfast
Early in the month, we held a breakfast to inform people about what we’ve been up to and raise awareness and support for what we are doing. We were encouraged by the positive atmosphere and the opportunity to testify to what God has been doing in and through 121.
Please continue to pray for our finances, and especially that we will never need to hold back in any aspect of our ministry because of financial constraints.
Thank you to everyone who prays and supports us. We realize more and more how dependent we are on the greater team of people, who although not necessarily directly involved in our work, nevertheless play a pivotal role in holding us accountable, keeping us motivated and encouraged, and most importantly, engage in the important work of prayer on our behalf.
This last month has seen a lot of changes and challenges. For one, our team has expanded, and with that the organization is becoming progressively more structured. Whereas before we have been working on quite an informal, from home, over-the-phone-and-email basis, we now have a team meeting three times weekly to run the administrative and training side of 121. This has meant that we have been able to up the level of a lot of ‘organizational’ type things (fundraising, marketing, etc).
Pray that we will work well together in a team, and become more and more the kinds of people that God can use to impact the lives of young people.
Training in Soshanguve
In terms of training, we have been going through to Soshanguve every Wednesday to train local volunteers to run our life skills programs in the schools there next year. It has been great interacting with these twelve-odd young adults, discussing some challenging issues as we explore what Jesus is asking from us in the context of impacting the lives of young people.
Pray for these volunteers, that they will grow in understanding of what is expected of them in terms of working with 121, and especially that they will become a strong team, committed to changing lives for Jesus.
Constructive Detention
We’ve still been running our detention program at Pretoria North High and are still very excited about the impact it’s having on learners. Facilitators, working in small groups, have had the opportunity to really speak into lives, as learners have opened up and shared their struggles. We have been surprised at how much learners have enjoyed these two-hour sessions, and the very positive feedback we have received from the responsible member of staff from the school side as well.
Pray for the facilitators, that they will have wisdom and compassion when responding to their small group. Pray also for the learners, that the seeds that have been planted will take fruit.
Breakfast
Early in the month, we held a breakfast to inform people about what we’ve been up to and raise awareness and support for what we are doing. We were encouraged by the positive atmosphere and the opportunity to testify to what God has been doing in and through 121.
Please continue to pray for our finances, and especially that we will never need to hold back in any aspect of our ministry because of financial constraints.
Thank you to everyone who prays and supports us. We realize more and more how dependent we are on the greater team of people, who although not necessarily directly involved in our work, nevertheless play a pivotal role in holding us accountable, keeping us motivated and encouraged, and most importantly, engage in the important work of prayer on our behalf.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Updates on 121 Activities, September, 2006
The past few months have been busy ones at 121, with training events, activity around the Constructive Detention Program (CDP), changes to the 121 team, growth around Project Soshanguve, and networking with potential partners.
Training Events
On the 29th of August we held our first training event for all volunteers involved with CDP. We were excited to have a team of twelve people who are enthusiastic and committed to getting involved with us. We spent the afternoon looking at how to facilitate a small group and discussing the challenges of working with young people.
Two of our new volunteers, Hope and William, joined Cori at a Proposal Writing workshop held by another NGO in Pretoria. This was really productive in helping us put together a good proposal for securing funds.
Constructive Detention Program
The CDP has been coming along well these past two months. We were involved in Waterkloof and Garsfontein high schools in Pretoria East and Pretoria North high. Hettie Orffer was running the detention sessions during August, but has now left our team to start her own project, and has taken Waterkloof with her. We really wish her all the best and thank her for her contribution to 121.
For September, we used material developed by Cori Wielenga which explored some of the deeper questions in life. It was great to see the teens responding to it in their small groups, as they engaged in fairly intense dialogue with our volunteers.
We also made use of Rene Jobse’s great MoneySkills boardgame which challenges learners in the area of money and value.
Project Soshanguve
The last few months have been focusing on setting things up here to start running a life skills program in the schools from January next year. We are working with Hope, who is from that area and has extensive skills and experience in working with young people.
At the moment, we’re developing, preparing and training a team of volunteers to carry the program in the schools in Soshanguve.
Networking
Ian, Lizette and Cori have been hard at work meeting and networking with others involved in youth development and social upliftment projects. We have been excited about the possibilities of working with Scripture Union, Sonlife and Nieu Communities. We are also praying about the way ahead around the possibilities of starting an adult education centre.
Training Events
On the 29th of August we held our first training event for all volunteers involved with CDP. We were excited to have a team of twelve people who are enthusiastic and committed to getting involved with us. We spent the afternoon looking at how to facilitate a small group and discussing the challenges of working with young people.
Two of our new volunteers, Hope and William, joined Cori at a Proposal Writing workshop held by another NGO in Pretoria. This was really productive in helping us put together a good proposal for securing funds.
Constructive Detention Program
The CDP has been coming along well these past two months. We were involved in Waterkloof and Garsfontein high schools in Pretoria East and Pretoria North high. Hettie Orffer was running the detention sessions during August, but has now left our team to start her own project, and has taken Waterkloof with her. We really wish her all the best and thank her for her contribution to 121.
For September, we used material developed by Cori Wielenga which explored some of the deeper questions in life. It was great to see the teens responding to it in their small groups, as they engaged in fairly intense dialogue with our volunteers.
We also made use of Rene Jobse’s great MoneySkills boardgame which challenges learners in the area of money and value.
Project Soshanguve
The last few months have been focusing on setting things up here to start running a life skills program in the schools from January next year. We are working with Hope, who is from that area and has extensive skills and experience in working with young people.
At the moment, we’re developing, preparing and training a team of volunteers to carry the program in the schools in Soshanguve.
Networking
Ian, Lizette and Cori have been hard at work meeting and networking with others involved in youth development and social upliftment projects. We have been excited about the possibilities of working with Scripture Union, Sonlife and Nieu Communities. We are also praying about the way ahead around the possibilities of starting an adult education centre.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
From the Boardroom, September, 2006
Lizette VenterCommitment is Key
Coming from a commercial background you often think that running an NGO or non-profit organization should be somewhat different, and we tend to forget that what we need in business, we also need in a non-profit environment. The normal stuff like contracts and documents should be there to ensure that the organization is protected, but more than that, we need commitment.
Committed Volunteers
Firstly, we need commitment from our volunteers, and here the Lord has provided us with more than we deserve. We have a team of 12 volunteers that are prepared to offer their time, expertise and knowledge for nothing more than a thank you, with no guarantees of any promotion, high end salary or status. They’re doing this because the have a passion for young people and want to make a difference. So to all our volunteers: thank you for your commitment. May you be blessed.
Committed Partners
Secondly we also need commitment from our partners, and here once again the Lord has provided. We have been dealing with people outside the organization that are willing to train our volunteers, provide us with material and to support us in every way that they possibly can. Thanks to all who share our vision and who are willing to invest in 121.
Committed Schools
Thirdly we require commitment from the schools we deal with. It was so amazing that the Lord confirmed our purpose and calling in schools specifically this week, when we needed it so badly. The needs in schools are huge, and there are teachers who are willing to allow us insight and input into their full disciplinary processes. Thanks to our first schools who were prepared to give us a chance to test the programs in their schools, at risk to themselves.
Committed Sponsors
Thanks for the commitment from our sponsors, who although knowing very little of what we are busy with, are still prepared to give. The Lord provided a projector and some speakers for us to use during our programs, finances to pay our debts, and the necessary funds to purchase some material and to employ our first semi-permanent youth worker in Shoshanguve. We thank all of you who made this possible.
Committed Prayers
Lastly thanks to those who promised to pray for us and provide their commitment in the still of the morning or the late of the night as they talk to God. We know that your input into the organization is not always visible, but without this, we would probably not have survived the past few weeks. The positive impact we are seeing we contribute to the time you spend in prayer.
In order therefore for 121@VMA to exist and to function as an organization we need committed people. If you want to offer your commitment in any of the above ways, please feel free to contact us. We always need more hands, more material, more money, more prayer.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Pray for 121@VMA, September, 2006
121@VMA has been going through an exciting, yet challenging time, with a lot of changes and new opportunities. Our primary activity these last few weeks has been the detention program at various schools around Pretoria. This has become a time where we have really been able to impact on learners lives.
- let us thank God for the work accomplished in the last few weeks
- that God will open many doors to other schools also, according to His will
- that God will make a way to openly talk about the Lord Jesus Christ and the Gospel
- that we as facilitators will be open to the guidance of the Holy Spiri
- that we will be good sowers of the seed (His Word) - Matt 13:1-23
- that He will prepare the ground for the seeds to fall on good ground (hearts of learners we deal with)
- that the learners will hear and understand (Matt 13:23) the Word, so that it can bear much fruit
- that God will lead and guide us with regards to finances - who to ask for sponsorships, and that He will open their hearts for us
Some thoughts on praying:
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Psa 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psa 51:13 Then will I teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted and return to You.
Although the Lord Jesus has called each of His children to “go and make disciples of all nations”, we should make sure that we are in right standing with our Lord and Father before we do that. As we see in verses 16-17 of Ps.51 the real and true offering to God is a broken spirit - to know that we are in great need of Him for our own spiritial growth and consecration. It pleases God when we enter His presence by asking Him to give us a clean heart and to make our spirits steadfast. We will be able to teach other people His ways better, when we are restored in our souls with His joy. The joy that springs from knowing we are saved and have eternal life.
Psa 51:16 For You delight not in sacrifice, or else would I give it; You find no pleasure in burnt offering. [I Sam. 15:22.]
Psa 51:17 My sacrifice [the sacrifice acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise.
May we receive more of God’s true love, the love that makes it possible for us to truly love Him and other people. May this love in us abound more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge, insight and discernment. So that we can surely learn to sense what is vital, and prize what is of real value. So that we can be untainted and pure, with hearts sincere and certain. To be able to approach the day of Christ knowing that we did not stumble and did not cause others to stumble.
Erika, for 121@VMA
_______________________________
Our Bank Details
Name: 121 At VMA Catalysts
Bank: Standard Bank
Account No: 011351470
Branch Code: 010445
Thank you for your contribution!
Saturday, August 19, 2006
How it all began
121@VMA was the seed sown in the heart of Lizette Venter, a project management consultant who wanted to make a difference in her community. Together with Ian Stuart, pastor of the Pretoria North Baptist church, Lizette began to network and explore the viability of various ideas and projects over a period of several years.
The dream of a youth drop-in centre, (2004)
Their first dream was to open a drop-in centre in Pretoria North where young people could come after school or on weekends and spend time in an environment that was safe and also conducive to personal development. Such a centre would have resources available on a variety of issues facing young people, as well as people on hand to counsel, tutor or mentor them. It would be a hub where various youth organizations could run programs and courses on issues relevant to young people.
For a variety of reasons, this centre never came off the ground. This was a point of major frustration for Lizette and Ian, who had a variety of resources and programs available, and had already started networking with a number of youth organizations in the area. They then thought to bring their programs, resources and network to where the youth already are: the schools.
Six months of strategising, (August 2005)
Following this decision, Cori Wielenga and Rene Jobse joined the team, and what followed was six months of intense strategizing and thinking around a product to take to the schools. The central issues were that we didn’t want to duplicate what was already out there and we didn’t want to offer a product that didn’t address the schools actual need.
It needs to be remembered at this point that all five of us in the team were (and are) working on a part-time, voluntary, basis, and that 121@VMA had no office or facilities. Meetings were held at one of our homes or else over coffee in restaurants.
The Year of Grace
We came up with a product we called the ‘Year of Grace’ (YoG) which was largely a whole school development program based on Christian principles and thinking. It would include an intensive analysis on every level of the school community (management, parents, staff, learners) to ascertain exactly what the needs were. This would be followed by workshopping with key stakeholders in the school to come up with a joint solution to these needs. We would ‘project manage’ the implementation of this solution but by and large it would need to be carried out by those in the school community in order to ensure sustainability.
The Pilot Project, (January, 2006)
We decided to pilot the project in one high school in Pretoria North to test our idea, in 2006. We spoke with a few principals of various schools, and one principal agreed with enthusiasm that we could pilot the project at his school.
Almost immediately, several of the pitfalls of our model became apparent. The central pitfall is that we had not planned for the time-consuming and contentious issue of staff buy-in, assuming this would be taken care of by school management. Carrying out the initial phase of analysing the school became a near-impossible process without the full support of the staff. At the end of the first three-month term of the school year, when we had expected to have analysed every level of the school community, we had only been able to analyse the learners who were on detention and the leaders of the school.
Changing Focus, (April, 2006)
When we assessed the situation in April we decided that as we had only been able to analyse those two groups (the leaders and the detention learners), perhaps we needed to focus our energies one those two groups. Lizette and Ian presented the results of our findings to the school board, and also gave an outline of a possible program we could offer to both these two groups of learners.
The decision of the school was that we could take over the detention program. That was all. From a whole school development program at which those in the school community would be responsible for developing their own solutions, we were now left with needing to run a program for the detention classes on Monday afternoons.
However, this coincided with Hettie Orffer joining our team. Hettie had already done some work in offering personal development programs to young people. She was prepared to develop material for the purposes of running the detention program.
The Constructive Detention Program, (June, 2006)
By June, 2006, when we reassessed the situation, Hettie had informed us that several schools in Pretoria East were interested in having us run our detention program there as well. Suddenly, we were making the shift from the Year of Grace to running detention programs in high schools.
Coinciding with this was our coming into contact with some youth workers in Soshanguve who were looking for support in running personal development programs in schools there. Although we weren’t yet ready to make the shift from what our initial product had been to this new product, it was becoming more and more obvious that the one product we had ready and which was in demand was what we decided to call the Constructive Detention Program (CDP). Especially when in July, another five schools, primary and high, indicated interest in the CDP.
The dream of a youth drop-in centre, (2004)
Their first dream was to open a drop-in centre in Pretoria North where young people could come after school or on weekends and spend time in an environment that was safe and also conducive to personal development. Such a centre would have resources available on a variety of issues facing young people, as well as people on hand to counsel, tutor or mentor them. It would be a hub where various youth organizations could run programs and courses on issues relevant to young people.
For a variety of reasons, this centre never came off the ground. This was a point of major frustration for Lizette and Ian, who had a variety of resources and programs available, and had already started networking with a number of youth organizations in the area. They then thought to bring their programs, resources and network to where the youth already are: the schools.
Six months of strategising, (August 2005)
Following this decision, Cori Wielenga and Rene Jobse joined the team, and what followed was six months of intense strategizing and thinking around a product to take to the schools. The central issues were that we didn’t want to duplicate what was already out there and we didn’t want to offer a product that didn’t address the schools actual need.
It needs to be remembered at this point that all five of us in the team were (and are) working on a part-time, voluntary, basis, and that 121@VMA had no office or facilities. Meetings were held at one of our homes or else over coffee in restaurants.
The Year of Grace
We came up with a product we called the ‘Year of Grace’ (YoG) which was largely a whole school development program based on Christian principles and thinking. It would include an intensive analysis on every level of the school community (management, parents, staff, learners) to ascertain exactly what the needs were. This would be followed by workshopping with key stakeholders in the school to come up with a joint solution to these needs. We would ‘project manage’ the implementation of this solution but by and large it would need to be carried out by those in the school community in order to ensure sustainability.
The Pilot Project, (January, 2006)
We decided to pilot the project in one high school in Pretoria North to test our idea, in 2006. We spoke with a few principals of various schools, and one principal agreed with enthusiasm that we could pilot the project at his school.
Almost immediately, several of the pitfalls of our model became apparent. The central pitfall is that we had not planned for the time-consuming and contentious issue of staff buy-in, assuming this would be taken care of by school management. Carrying out the initial phase of analysing the school became a near-impossible process without the full support of the staff. At the end of the first three-month term of the school year, when we had expected to have analysed every level of the school community, we had only been able to analyse the learners who were on detention and the leaders of the school.
Changing Focus, (April, 2006)
When we assessed the situation in April we decided that as we had only been able to analyse those two groups (the leaders and the detention learners), perhaps we needed to focus our energies one those two groups. Lizette and Ian presented the results of our findings to the school board, and also gave an outline of a possible program we could offer to both these two groups of learners.
The decision of the school was that we could take over the detention program. That was all. From a whole school development program at which those in the school community would be responsible for developing their own solutions, we were now left with needing to run a program for the detention classes on Monday afternoons.
However, this coincided with Hettie Orffer joining our team. Hettie had already done some work in offering personal development programs to young people. She was prepared to develop material for the purposes of running the detention program.
The Constructive Detention Program, (June, 2006)
By June, 2006, when we reassessed the situation, Hettie had informed us that several schools in Pretoria East were interested in having us run our detention program there as well. Suddenly, we were making the shift from the Year of Grace to running detention programs in high schools.
Coinciding with this was our coming into contact with some youth workers in Soshanguve who were looking for support in running personal development programs in schools there. Although we weren’t yet ready to make the shift from what our initial product had been to this new product, it was becoming more and more obvious that the one product we had ready and which was in demand was what we decided to call the Constructive Detention Program (CDP). Especially when in July, another five schools, primary and high, indicated interest in the CDP.
Friday, August 04, 2006
From the Boardroom, July, 2006
Lizette Venter
Taking an overview of the past few months, it has become apparent that we as a team have much to be thankful for. We have a very strong team, with strong-willed individuals, all prepared to give of themselves their time and resources, to promote God’s work amongst our Youth. Even financially, God has provided what we needed thus far. By God’s grace, the last few months were exciting, but also challenging, and most of us felt out of our depth! I figure that if it was easy, we would not have needed God as much as we needed him in the past, but also in the future.
One of the highlights these past few weeks was that we decided to take a bold step for God in everything that we do, being it the Detention classes, or the NGO leadership training. It is of no value if we hide behind humanitarian plights while neglecting our purpose to declare God’s Year of Grace to all we touch.
Good news was the feedback from Mr Drescher at Pretoria North High, that the numbers of learners on detention from last year, this time, to this year, has dropped, increasing the excitement around our detention offering. With this, a thanks to the team, specifically Hettie, Ian and Cori for the work done there.
The challenges that we are facing in the last half of the year are immense and we desperately need your prayers. We are ill equipped to handle what God has placed in our hands. Luckily the Lord also stated that when we are weak, He is strong, and therefore we put our trust and hope in His mighty hands. Pray that we will be guided through His word, that we will obey irrespective of the cost and that we will be provided with wisdom, empathy and love for a dying nation.
There is plenty of opportunity for you to become more actively involved. We require help in the following areas:
- Marketing people who would assist in obtaining sponsorships at a 10% commission structure.
- Somebody that would assist in the admin work of 121 at the church office (Pretoria North) at least 2 half days a week.
- Prayer partners that will commit to spending time with God in prayer for 121.
- Detention support facilitators, who will be prepared to train in handling small groups during the detention at any of the three schools we are currently involved with.
- Business advisors that will be able to assist 121 in becoming an efficient and structured organization.
- Those with journalistic/writing skills, to assist in bringing out this newsletter on a regular basis.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Pray with 121@VMA_June/July
Join us in thanksgiving for the good things God has done this month through the detention at Pretoria North High, the Konings Kinders evenings and with our team.
· Pray that the seeds that were planted during detention and the Konings Kinders presentation may bear fruit
· Pray for the next term, where we will be offering detention at three high schools
· Pray for 121’s involvement with NGO’s in Soshanguve
· Pray for the ‘Learn with Fun’ project
· Pray that the team may have a strong sense of God’s direction and leading
21st of June Board Meeting
On the 21st of June the 121@VMA board met together to report back on events of the last term and plan for the next term. Three major projects for the term ahead were identified:
1) Detention: Hettie will now be running her detention program in three high schools: Pretoria North, Garsfontein and Waterkloof
2) NGO Training: Cori will be expanding our efforts at training NGO’s from Soshanguve by moving the training into the township
3) Fun with Learning: Rene will be the driving force behind distributing educational toys to communities around Pretoria
1) Detention: Hettie will now be running her detention program in three high schools: Pretoria North, Garsfontein and Waterkloof
2) NGO Training: Cori will be expanding our efforts at training NGO’s from Soshanguve by moving the training into the township
3) Fun with Learning: Rene will be the driving force behind distributing educational toys to communities around Pretoria
Monday, June 26, 2006
Die Rooi Neus Dag
Lizette Venter
Wel 121 het welliswaar ‘n paar sulke letterlike “rooi neus” sessies gehad. Met Prof Bill Waters wat ons besoek het was ons so ietwat verplig om ons rooi neuse op te sit, en ‘n paar komiese oomblikke met mekaar te beleef. Dankie ook dan aan Zane Smit wat gesorg het vir ‘n paar terug blikke aan “Shrek” en sy pelle. “Zane, met rooi neuse bedoel ons dat die rooi ding op jou neus moet kom en nie op jou ore nie”! Dankie vir almal wat dit ‘n sukses gemaak het. Veral aan Cori wat met toewyding gesorg het dat ons gas by al sy verpligtinge kon uitkom.
Met eerlikheid moes ek erken dat die meeste van ons te min lag. Dink net, met 20 sekondes se uit die maag lag, het ek eintlik 3 minute se harde roei agter die blad. Dit sal beslis so bietjie van “Virgin Active” se besigheid afneem as ons net instaat was om meer te lag. Iets anders wat sinvol was, was die feit dat ons eintlik verantwoordelik bedoel eder as erenstig. Hier het die Professor wel sin gemaak. Ek se gereeld vir my kinders dat hulle hul studies erenstig moet opneem, terwyl ek eintlik bedoel hulle moet verantwoordelik optree. Die term erenstig en verantwoordelik moet beslis korrek gebruik word om seker te maak dat ons ruimte laat vir pret en humor in elke situasie.
Daar is egter ‘n paar plekke waar ek en die professor nie om dieselfde kampvuur gesit het nie. Ons kan baie goed van humor glo, maar dat humor verantwoordelik is dat ons nog hier sit, is total buite my verwysings raamwerk. Met ‘n humoristiese aanslag kan ons wel baie dinge bereik, maar Humor is beslis nie die “een ding” wat ‘n verskil gaan maak nie. Ek glo met heel my hart dat die Here dalk humor kon gebruik het om die kern oorlog af te weer, maar al was daar nie ‘n “Someone tell joke” nie, sou dinge nogsteeds nie anders uitgedraai het nie. God is in beheer, met of sonder humor.
Met God in beheer kan ons wel meer risiko neem en meer humor in ons lewens inbring. Ons is die enigste mense wat hoop het vir die toekoms, hoekom is dit dan dat Christenskap vereenselwig moet word met lang gesigte en “Sad and solumn occasions”. Ons mag vreugde beleef in elke faset van ons lewens, en soos Fil 4: 4 ons altyd verbly in die Here. Nooit ten koste van ander nie, maar tot verheerliking van ons Vader wat ons styf in Sy hand hou.
Wel 121 het welliswaar ‘n paar sulke letterlike “rooi neus” sessies gehad. Met Prof Bill Waters wat ons besoek het was ons so ietwat verplig om ons rooi neuse op te sit, en ‘n paar komiese oomblikke met mekaar te beleef. Dankie ook dan aan Zane Smit wat gesorg het vir ‘n paar terug blikke aan “Shrek” en sy pelle. “Zane, met rooi neuse bedoel ons dat die rooi ding op jou neus moet kom en nie op jou ore nie”! Dankie vir almal wat dit ‘n sukses gemaak het. Veral aan Cori wat met toewyding gesorg het dat ons gas by al sy verpligtinge kon uitkom.
Met eerlikheid moes ek erken dat die meeste van ons te min lag. Dink net, met 20 sekondes se uit die maag lag, het ek eintlik 3 minute se harde roei agter die blad. Dit sal beslis so bietjie van “Virgin Active” se besigheid afneem as ons net instaat was om meer te lag. Iets anders wat sinvol was, was die feit dat ons eintlik verantwoordelik bedoel eder as erenstig. Hier het die Professor wel sin gemaak. Ek se gereeld vir my kinders dat hulle hul studies erenstig moet opneem, terwyl ek eintlik bedoel hulle moet verantwoordelik optree. Die term erenstig en verantwoordelik moet beslis korrek gebruik word om seker te maak dat ons ruimte laat vir pret en humor in elke situasie.
Daar is egter ‘n paar plekke waar ek en die professor nie om dieselfde kampvuur gesit het nie. Ons kan baie goed van humor glo, maar dat humor verantwoordelik is dat ons nog hier sit, is total buite my verwysings raamwerk. Met ‘n humoristiese aanslag kan ons wel baie dinge bereik, maar Humor is beslis nie die “een ding” wat ‘n verskil gaan maak nie. Ek glo met heel my hart dat die Here dalk humor kon gebruik het om die kern oorlog af te weer, maar al was daar nie ‘n “Someone tell joke” nie, sou dinge nogsteeds nie anders uitgedraai het nie. God is in beheer, met of sonder humor.
Met God in beheer kan ons wel meer risiko neem en meer humor in ons lewens inbring. Ons is die enigste mense wat hoop het vir die toekoms, hoekom is dit dan dat Christenskap vereenselwig moet word met lang gesigte en “Sad and solumn occasions”. Ons mag vreugde beleef in elke faset van ons lewens, en soos Fil 4: 4 ons altyd verbly in die Here. Nooit ten koste van ander nie, maar tot verheerliking van ons Vader wat ons styf in Sy hand hou.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Winter Warmer
121@ VMA, together with the Youth Network, ran Pretoria North's first Winter Warmer. This was a community initiative to collect clothes for those in need over winter. Our intention was to have a far greater reaching impact than we did, especially on the youth. We had imagined this to be a youth initiated event, which would help the youth to see their community responsibility. We had imagined this to include a major evangelical outreach which would really change lives. We had imagined something big, that would leave Pretoria North shaken forever. Instead, Winter Warmer was a small event, with only a little publicity, short reach, and minimal impact on the youth. Again and again, at 121, we are learning that we need to be faithful in the small things. We wanted to transform Pretoria North High, and God gave us the detention class. We wanted to reach hundreds of parents through Konings Kinders, and God gave us a handful. We wanted to work together with all youth organizations in Pretoria North to reach thousands of young people, and God gave us a small network and a small impact in the community. And through all of this He is teaching us and growing us to be more submitted to His will, more alligned with His plans. What a difficult path this can be to walk, and yet we trust that the end results will be so much greater in kingdom terms that anything we could imagine.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Konings Kinders
Hettie Orrfer
Die Koningskinders se getalle was nie soo wat ons verwag het nie, maar die planne van die Here werk gewoonlik nie in grootes nie. Daar het so tussen 15 en twintig kinders opgedaag en hulle wou nie een aand huis toe gaan nie. Hulle het die aanbiedinge terdeë geniet.
Die volwassenes was net 7 mense, maar die reaksie op die material was fenominaal en omdat die groep so klein was het ons elkeen bereik en kon ons persoonlik elkeen se probleme hanteer.
Die hele idée van die kursus was om die omgeegroepe wat Danie hulle graag wil begin ‘n wegspringplek te gee. Die volwassenes het almal aangedui dat hulle graag elke Donderdagaand sal wil aangaan met omgeegroepe. Selfs gedurende die kursus het hulle al vir mekaar begin omgee.
Daar was elke aand kos vir die wat die kursus bygewoon het en veral by die kinders het dit groot byval gevind.
Mag die saad wat ons daar geplant het groei met die bystand van die Heilge Gees.
Die Koningskinders se getalle was nie soo wat ons verwag het nie, maar die planne van die Here werk gewoonlik nie in grootes nie. Daar het so tussen 15 en twintig kinders opgedaag en hulle wou nie een aand huis toe gaan nie. Hulle het die aanbiedinge terdeë geniet.
Die volwassenes was net 7 mense, maar die reaksie op die material was fenominaal en omdat die groep so klein was het ons elkeen bereik en kon ons persoonlik elkeen se probleme hanteer.
Die hele idée van die kursus was om die omgeegroepe wat Danie hulle graag wil begin ‘n wegspringplek te gee. Die volwassenes het almal aangedui dat hulle graag elke Donderdagaand sal wil aangaan met omgeegroepe. Selfs gedurende die kursus het hulle al vir mekaar begin omgee.
Daar was elke aand kos vir die wat die kursus bygewoon het en veral by die kinders het dit groot byval gevind.
Mag die saad wat ons daar geplant het groei met die bystand van die Heilge Gees.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Bringing humour into the serious parts of life!
...with visiting professor from the United States
Bill Waters
Monday, 12 June, 7pm, R20/person
364 Jack Hindon Street
Join us for vetkoek and mince at 6pm, R15/person
RSVP by 2 June@ 012 546 5611 or 082 400 2505
Bill Waters is a retired professor of Criminal Justice at Northern Michigan University. Presently he is a consultant to criminal justice organizations around the world on the use of humour in police and prison work and other ‘serious’ places.
Bill Waters
Monday, 12 June, 7pm, R20/person
364 Jack Hindon Street
Join us for vetkoek and mince at 6pm, R15/person
RSVP by 2 June@ 012 546 5611 or 082 400 2505
Bill Waters is a retired professor of Criminal Justice at Northern Michigan University. Presently he is a consultant to criminal justice organizations around the world on the use of humour in police and prison work and other ‘serious’ places.
Detensie by Pretoria Noord
Ds Ian Stuart
Detensie is nie meer wat dit in my dae was nie. In my dae, glo dit of nie, was detensie meer opsioneel. Jy kon basies besluit of jy in detesie wou gaan sit en opskrifte skryf of jy kon pak kies en aangaan met jou lewe. Detensie was met ander woorde vir “sussies” en meisies wat of bang was vir slae of wie jy nie mag geslaan het nie.
Deesdae het dinge baie verander. Dit lyk my die kinders hou van die detensie ding. Dit is ’n tyd waarin hulle net kan sit en tyd mors (wat jongmense die meeste van hou om te doen).
Ons het die afgelope paar weke die voorreg gehad om met die Pretoria Noord Hoër detensie groepe te werk. Dit kommer my dat die selfde kinders twee en drie weke agter mekaar, in detensie klas raakloop.
Natuurlik, verdien hulle nie om daar te sit nie, en is dit altyd die skool se dom sisteem of die eenvoudige onnies wat net iets teen hulle het. Die feit bly staan: Kinders sit in detensie en dit is ’n geleentheid wat ons sien om hulle te bereik en te bemagtig tot vernuwing.
Hettie hanteer met die detensie groep ’n wonderlike leerplan. Ons doel met die detensie is om dit te verander van ’n “tyd mors” na ’n “produktiewe geleentheid”. Van ’n “ding” wat net gedoen moet word na ’n “leer” ondervinding. Van ’n “straf aangeleentheid” na ’n “persoonlike ontdekking ervaaring” vir die kinders en hulle skool.
Hettie het regtig probeer, en tot ’n groot mate hierdie doelstellings bereik deur om te begin hierdie kwaar-taal met konsepte soos verantwoordelikheids-sin en persoonlikke doelstelling. Somige van die kinders lyk asof hulle nog nooit aan hierdie lewens belangrikke konsepte gedink het nie en dit maak my baie opgewonde dat ons die geleentheid kry om hulle hiermee te bereik .
Ons sal dit waardeer as mense saam met ons sal bid dat ons die doel van die oefening sal bereik en dat ons werklik ook deur midde van die detensie Romeine 12:1-2 sal kan toepas in die skool.
Detensie is nie meer wat dit in my dae was nie. In my dae, glo dit of nie, was detensie meer opsioneel. Jy kon basies besluit of jy in detesie wou gaan sit en opskrifte skryf of jy kon pak kies en aangaan met jou lewe. Detensie was met ander woorde vir “sussies” en meisies wat of bang was vir slae of wie jy nie mag geslaan het nie.
Deesdae het dinge baie verander. Dit lyk my die kinders hou van die detensie ding. Dit is ’n tyd waarin hulle net kan sit en tyd mors (wat jongmense die meeste van hou om te doen).
Ons het die afgelope paar weke die voorreg gehad om met die Pretoria Noord Hoër detensie groepe te werk. Dit kommer my dat die selfde kinders twee en drie weke agter mekaar, in detensie klas raakloop.
Natuurlik, verdien hulle nie om daar te sit nie, en is dit altyd die skool se dom sisteem of die eenvoudige onnies wat net iets teen hulle het. Die feit bly staan: Kinders sit in detensie en dit is ’n geleentheid wat ons sien om hulle te bereik en te bemagtig tot vernuwing.
Hettie hanteer met die detensie groep ’n wonderlike leerplan. Ons doel met die detensie is om dit te verander van ’n “tyd mors” na ’n “produktiewe geleentheid”. Van ’n “ding” wat net gedoen moet word na ’n “leer” ondervinding. Van ’n “straf aangeleentheid” na ’n “persoonlike ontdekking ervaaring” vir die kinders en hulle skool.
Hettie het regtig probeer, en tot ’n groot mate hierdie doelstellings bereik deur om te begin hierdie kwaar-taal met konsepte soos verantwoordelikheids-sin en persoonlikke doelstelling. Somige van die kinders lyk asof hulle nog nooit aan hierdie lewens belangrikke konsepte gedink het nie en dit maak my baie opgewonde dat ons die geleentheid kry om hulle hiermee te bereik .
Ons sal dit waardeer as mense saam met ons sal bid dat ons die doel van die oefening sal bereik en dat ons werklik ook deur midde van die detensie Romeine 12:1-2 sal kan toepas in die skool.
Pray with 121@VMA, April, 2006
Erika Smit
Intercession is to come into God’s presence and intervene on behalf of someone else, in order to change a course or resolve a problem.
Ps 24 gives us a description of what is required of us to be able to enter into God’s presence: “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted himself up to falsehood or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Ps24:4-5 (Ampl. Bible).
Also consider the next scriptures prayerfully before God: Jer 23:18 and Prov 25:2
It is necessary for us to seek God’s Council and His Wisdom in these matters; and not just present Him with a list of petitions (Job 22:21-30).
Therefore we you to pray with us on the following points with a heart like Christ displayed:
-As a representative of the person/people before God (bringing them before Our Heavenly Father).
- But also as a representative of God before those people (bringing the Almighty God to them and into their lives by prayer). Let us truly seek God for His plans, purposes and perfect will.
- Where should 121’s focus lie?
- Who are the children God further wants 121 to reach?
- The programs to be presented
- Teacher’s cooperation
- Flow of info from our team to teachers
- Detention Group (the Lord knows their true circumstances)
- Leader Group (the Lord also knows their true circumstances)
- Finances
Intercession is to come into God’s presence and intervene on behalf of someone else, in order to change a course or resolve a problem.
Ps 24 gives us a description of what is required of us to be able to enter into God’s presence: “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted himself up to falsehood or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Ps24:4-5 (Ampl. Bible).
Also consider the next scriptures prayerfully before God: Jer 23:18 and Prov 25:2
It is necessary for us to seek God’s Council and His Wisdom in these matters; and not just present Him with a list of petitions (Job 22:21-30).
Therefore we you to pray with us on the following points with a heart like Christ displayed:
-As a representative of the person/people before God (bringing them before Our Heavenly Father).
- But also as a representative of God before those people (bringing the Almighty God to them and into their lives by prayer). Let us truly seek God for His plans, purposes and perfect will.
- Where should 121’s focus lie?
- Who are the children God further wants 121 to reach?
- The programs to be presented
- Teacher’s cooperation
- Flow of info from our team to teachers
- Detention Group (the Lord knows their true circumstances)
- Leader Group (the Lord also knows their true circumstances)
- Finances
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Konings Kinders - Gebed
For the month of May, every Thursday night, we will be working with one of our partners, the Konings Kinders, to present a program to underprivilaged children and their parents. Konings Kinders works with underprivilaged children through camps and are now trying to reach those children's parents.
Hettie Orffer, who is presenting the program to the parents on these Thursday evening asks us to consider the following prayer requests:
- Please pray for parents and their families to attend in numbers.
- Pray that the material that we put together will have nothing in it except that that is in the plan of God.
- Pray that the teachers will see their way to attend or otherwise that they will set a time where we can present this workshops to them.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
From the Boardroom, April, 2006
Lizette Venter
The Lord has really been amazing in the past few months. Things that we defined as failures, He has turned into opportunities.
Pretoria North High’s Year of Grace
During the first term we had hoped to do analysis on all levels of the school community (parents, staff, management and learners) but were only able to analyze the leaders and a detention group. But this is an example of where we had to understand that what was in our plans was not necessarily what God had intended.
Having only this limited analysis available, that’s what we decided to work with, and to our amazement we found that was already a job to be reckoned with. Tackling the leadership of the school and putting in place a new model for detention was a task we felt ill equipped to handle; it was certainly a God-sized task!
And God has once again provided, on time! He has added to the team Hettie, with all the necessary experience and material to handle both the leader and detention programs and Erika, who is already taking up the battle to a spiritual level. Welcome to you both as part of the team.
Help Needed!
Konings Kinders
Ian Dubery and Danie gave us some insight into the work being done with the Koningskinders and the synergies between the two organizations were amazing. Not only will we join hands in prayer, but we intend to work closely together in both 121@VMA’s and the Koningskinder events. We look forward to a successful partner relationship.
Youth Network
On the subject of networking, we have a youth network event planned on the 19th of April at the SAPS offices in Pretoria North at 18h00. At our first event everyone declared their interest in consolidating the various youth ministry efforts into events or projects that would indeed make a difference in the youth North of the Magalies. For those still interested, contact Cori for more information.
Although we had an amazing strategy session on the 10th of April, we understand that God is in control, and although we have made some plans, He will decide how it pans out. All Glory to Him!
The Lord has really been amazing in the past few months. Things that we defined as failures, He has turned into opportunities.
Pretoria North High’s Year of Grace
During the first term we had hoped to do analysis on all levels of the school community (parents, staff, management and learners) but were only able to analyze the leaders and a detention group. But this is an example of where we had to understand that what was in our plans was not necessarily what God had intended.
Having only this limited analysis available, that’s what we decided to work with, and to our amazement we found that was already a job to be reckoned with. Tackling the leadership of the school and putting in place a new model for detention was a task we felt ill equipped to handle; it was certainly a God-sized task!
And God has once again provided, on time! He has added to the team Hettie, with all the necessary experience and material to handle both the leader and detention programs and Erika, who is already taking up the battle to a spiritual level. Welcome to you both as part of the team.
Help Needed!
Konings Kinders
Ian Dubery and Danie gave us some insight into the work being done with the Koningskinders and the synergies between the two organizations were amazing. Not only will we join hands in prayer, but we intend to work closely together in both 121@VMA’s and the Koningskinder events. We look forward to a successful partner relationship.
Youth Network
On the subject of networking, we have a youth network event planned on the 19th of April at the SAPS offices in Pretoria North at 18h00. At our first event everyone declared their interest in consolidating the various youth ministry efforts into events or projects that would indeed make a difference in the youth North of the Magalies. For those still interested, contact Cori for more information.
Although we had an amazing strategy session on the 10th of April, we understand that God is in control, and although we have made some plans, He will decide how it pans out. All Glory to Him!
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
What are we all about
121@VMA seeks to empower the youth through renewing their minds. It is our belief that through changing the way young people think we can change what they become.
We seek also to impact the whole environment the youth find themselves including youth workers, parents, and educators.
We do this through:
· a variety of life skills and development programs for learners, educators and parents
· creating meaningful networks between youth workers
· training NGO’s that work with young people to be more effective
· assisting schools, organizations and communities to develop strategies to better support youth development
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