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.