Sylvia’s 50th

YEAR OF YOUR LIFE PROGRAMME - iTHEMBA PROJECTS

iThemba Projects is an organisation that is very close to my heart because of what they do and how they work. They partner with the people of Sweetwaters (Mpumuza), South Africa, to transform a generation of kids and teens through education and mentoring so that they may bring hope to their community and be a light throughout South Africa. Their "Year of Your Life" programme (a volunteer "gap year” programme for recent high school graduates from Sweetwaters) is particularly important to me having seen what it takes with our own children to support them through this transition when they already have multiple adults who are invested in their lives and have had the privilege of options and opportunities.

In contrast, most young adults/teenagers finishing school in Mpumuza face an uncertain future, mostly devoid of opportunity. The majority do not achieve a school leaver’s certificate sufficient to study further; they do not have parents or role models to guide them; they do not have a prospect of a job. This stage in their life is incredibly fragile, and without guidance and something to work towards, many of these young adults end up in destructive patterns of behaviour that affect the rest of their lives. iThemba’s Year of Your Life (YOYL) programme encourages young adults who have just finished school to contribute to their community and positively influence the lives of other young people living in Mpumuza through assisting with the iThemba programmes. It is also a programme that builds significantly into each volunteer and provides a base of skills, values and attitudes that allow for a much greater chance of success. iThemba believes that success is not just economics, skills, emotional stability and wise choices but what these are grounded in and who or where these young adults find their identity. Central to the YOYL programme, therefore, is that it is a year of discipleship in following Jesus and what that means in day-to-day life. This programme forms a critical part of iThemba’s strategy to raise a new generation that can lead their community into a new future. The YOYL programme ultimately aims to contribute towards creating social reform from within the community’s own resources so that ultimately issues faced are solved from within.

For my birthday, I would be so grateful if you would give towards the 2022 YOYL programme. Any money raised will contribute to the cost of one YOYL volunteer for the year.

If you would like to read more about iThemba Projects and the other work they are doing, please go to their website: https://ithembaprojects.com/